New-York tribune., 1918-06-08

full extent of the brilliant
American operation north
west Of Chateau Thierry. There
American troops had their first real
test Of the war at open fighting. Our
gallant marines met every require
nent. They attained all the objec-
tives set for them, as we'll as some
which were not pricked on the map
beforehand.
The Americans attacked, facing
north-northeast, on a two-and-a-half
mile line drawn between a point
south Of Bussiares and a point south
Of Bouresches. This is a region in
which the Germans had made con-
siderable progress in the early part
of the week. They had gotten across
the righ road running from Chateau
Thierry to the Ourcq River. They
had taken Veuilly-la- Poterie, at the
northwest; Torcy and Belleau, tow
ard the centre, and Bouresches, at
the southwest. Bouresches is only a
mile or two away from Chateau
Thierry.
On their left our marines were
supported by French troops. The
primary objectives were Bussiares.
at the one end of the line, and
Bouresches, at the other end. These
villages lie south of the high road.
Bouresches is surrounded by woods,
except on the west. 1t was reached
on Thursday afternoon. But the
Germans held on to a part Of it, and
they were not driven out completely
until yesterday afternoon.
Bussiares fell more quickly, the
French cooperating in taking it on
Thursday. Then the marines, find
ing the going comparatively easy in
the centre, pushed across the high
road and retook Torcy. They also
reached Belleau, north of the road
and cleared out the Belleau Woods
All these positions have been organ
lied and held in the face of strong
enemy forces.
Last nights communique from
Paris reported the recapture Of
Veuilly-la- Poterie, so that the Allied
line in the entire sector just north,
west Of Chateau Thierry has beer
advanced about two miles.
North of the Aisne the French
lave recaptured lie Port, to the west
of Fontenoy. On the Rheims side Of
the salient British troops retook The
village Of Bligny.
Unofficial reports from the Marne
front dwell on the dash of the
American attack and the lack Of
equal fighting spirit on the German
side. The Germans in the Aisne
Somme salient have now reached 6
point at which the strain of the of
fensive is peculiarly trying. The,
have out-travelled their supplies in {
large measure. They are battle
worn. And they must face fresl
enemy troops without the benefit o:
full artillery support and withou
trench protection.
1t is too early to dig in, becaus,
the offensive has not yet been form
ally renounced. A strong counte
attack therefore finds the enemy con
fused and somewhat dispirited. Th,
American advance of two miles on
front Of only little more than tw'
miles shows the state of relaxation
which the German offensive ha.
reached. 1t also emphasizes tn,
freedom of movement now possibl,
on the fighting front in the lower
half Of the Aisne-Marne salient
which the Germans are holdins
lightly and where their strategica
pans are as yet uncertain and un
developed.
The defence is now reactine
against the offence at many points
This reaction will probably continue
1t is the inevitable sequel of the ex
haustion Of the German initiative
The Allied armies will seek to i'm
prove their positions locally, while
the enemy rests and recuperates
That was the story of the later day:
Of the fighting before Amiens ane
of the later days Of the fighting ii
the Lys Valley.
Ludendorff cannot draw anothe,
I -.