The sun., 1918-07-16
Maximum Penetration by
Enemy Is Only a Mile
and a Half.
FAILS EAST OF RHEIMS
Crossing of Marne Made
Only at Cost of EnOr-
nous Loss of Life.
KEPT FROM HIGH GROUND
Foch Knew of Enemy's Plans
and Thus Was Enabled to
Counter the Blow.
KEPT FROM HIGH GROUND
By GERALD CAMPBELL.

Special Gable Despatch 10 TIE suS from tAs
- Loudon Times
Copyright. lAs: all rights reserred
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN FRANCE.
July 15.-The allied armies undoubt-
edly are prepared for a much more
violent onslaught than any the Ger
mans made to-day. even if the
Chateau Thierry Champagne attack Il
meant only as a diversion, with the
object Of drawing some Of our troops
from the north or using up our re-
serves. to be followed by an attempt
to overwhelm the British.
Until yesterday fairly strong wind
blew from the south, and there was
some rain. To-day It looks like we are
in for spell OF dry weather, which
seems an unfailing accompaniment OF
German offensives.
AS yet 1t is impossible to tell how
many divisions the Germans are using
in their latest attack, though we NAV
take It for granted they have more
men than are opposing them. Still,
taking everything into consideration
including the advantage which neces-
sarily lies with the attacking force
there is no reason why we should not
face the next few days in a spirit OF
perfect confidence. even IL the enemy
should gain some ground in the be-
ginning
, LONDON. July l5.-In their fifth at
tempt to force decision on the west
ern front the Germans apparently
have been stopped in their tracks at
| the start.
! The newest effort. launched to-day
from Chateau Thierry east to Maison
de Champagne, on a front Of sixty
Ave miles. yielded the first day only
an inconsiderable gain in territory.
The cost in men. due in a large part
to American forces encountered, wa.
| frightful. Against first day gain
OF approximately eight miles in the
offensive of March II the maximum
/ penetration OF the Kaiser's hordes
was only mile and n half. and that
was an isolated advance. At other
places they were stopped dead.
The German official night statement,
is a tacit admission Of failure. The
statement merely says: ITO the
southwest and east OF Rheims we
penetrated into parts of the French
positions
| Ignores American stone wall.
The eioquence OF this statement 10
its silence--its failure TO mention the
heavy opposition encountered just
east of Chateau Therry. where the
Americans, counter attacking after
the Germans had crossed the river.
and captured 1900 prisoners. includ-
ing complete brigade staff
Nor does the German statement
mention the slaughter inflicted upon
the soldiers of the Kaiser as they
crossed the Marne, where in droves
they marched into the muzzles OF
French and American machine ana
field guns. and in droves. were an.
initiated.
The Germans crossed the Marnc in
the sector held by the Americans. pen
etrating some distance into the Amer
can positions. Then by brilliant
counter attack the Americans drove
them all back to their original posi-
tions across the river. Tonight there
ia not German on the south bank OF
the Marne in the sector held by the
Americans.
East OF Rheims the French, ac-
cording TO the Paris War once, held
like a stone wall, and the best ev
dence that this is true is the absence
OF any account OF success in the Ger
man report. II the Germans had
broken through the French lines IN
any considerable number there would
nave been mention OF il in the state
ment from Berlin.
French Defence SIN Intact.
In contrast TO the Berlin statement
IA semi-ofiicial announcement was
made in Paris tonight 10 the cffecl
that the first day OF the new offensive
Is favorable TO the Allies and that the
French defensive system in no way
has been affected and Is still intact
The statement says
While in previous attacks the en-.
envy. thanks 10 surprise, carried i'm
portant positions, like tho Chemin
des- Danes, and advanced severai
miles. this time the battle has en-