The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-07-17
SITUATION REASSURING ALL
ALONG THE LINE.
VICTORY FOR AMERICANS
DRIVE GERMANS
BACK ACROSS THE MARINE.


ing new attacks against the Allied
positions on the Marne front from
Chateau Thierry to Rheims, the Ger
mans are continuing their efforts to
break through the French and Amer
lean defense. They made progress
during the night, but ii has been de-
cidedly slow in comparison with the
sweep of the Teutonic legions in their
previous offensives.
1t appears that the enemy after
crossing the Marne between Dormans
and Chatillon, has reached the vii
lagos of st. Agnan, Lachapelle and
Monthedon, which approximately are
a mile and three quarters south OF
the river, but in the outskirts of these
towns they have been held up. just
to the northeast the Germans trav-
ersed the Bouquigny wood, but on
the southern side they have been
stopped.
West of Dormans, which is "a
miles east of Chateau Thierry, Amer
line. Unofficial advices state that
here they have retaken Fossoy and
Crezancy, south of the Marne.
1t is evident that between Dormans
and Rheims the Germans are driving
toward the Marne at Chatillon and
along the line to the northeast. Only
at one point, in the Rodemat wood
mile and half from Chatillon, did
they advance last night. There they
have been checked by French fire
Thence to Rheims there is no change
in the situation.
The deepest penetration along this
line, approximately is three and
three-fourths miles northeast of Cha
tillon, in the Rodemat wood. This
marks the greatest advance of the
Germans at any point along the line.
East of Rheims, the situation is
reassuring. The French battle posi-
tions are declared intact and the Ger
mans have not been able to advance
southward further than the outskirts
north the Chaussee Romaine, the
main highway from Rheims. They
are being held all along this line to
the easterly limits of the great battle.
The Germans are more than "a
hours behind schedule and there is
little to indicate that they still have
striking power as great as they pos
sessed when their attacks began,
The Allies, therefore, seem to have
reason to believe that the supreme
test of their defense has been met
successfully.
German artillery is reported active
in the Albert sector and in some 9th
.er regions along the British front
but there have been no pretentious
developements there.
Superb resistance by Americans
French and Italian troops held the
Germans to minimum gains. Be
tween 100000 and 100000 German
troops were thrown into the battle
Despite these huge numbers and the
use of every facility of offense, Ber-
lin was able to report officially Mon
day night only that "to the southwest
and east of Rheims, we penetrated in
to parts of the French positions"
Large forces were concentrated to
be thrown across the Marne and
bridges were laid between Fossoy and
Dormans. American troops fighting
with great dash, met this menace
checked it and hurled 1t against the
river. Near Fossoy, the enemy was
thrown back to the north bank by
the impetuous Americans, who cap
tured between 1000 and 1900 pris-
oners.
French and Italian divisions en-
gagged the Germans between the
Marne and Rheims. On a front of %
miles the enemy advanced an aver.
age depth of two and one-half miles
his greatest gain of the day. Des-
perate fighting continues and the
Germans have been unable to gain
much additional ground.
East OF hnelms, the Germans have
been smashed completely. The
French defense there stood resolute.
ly and stopped the foe in his tracks
Attack after attack is being launched
against the French on this end OF the
battle line, but Gen. Petain's men
are unwavering.
Colossal as was the artillery prep.
aration along the great fighting front
it was met by an Allied fire that was
fully as destructive. The German In.
fantry marched against machine gur
fire that decimated whole regiments
French aviators bombed the enemy
INCREASINGLY and destroyed two
bridges loaded with German troops