The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-05-29
LuII in Three Zones,
HnternatiOnal News Service.

Aisne battle front has slowed down
and only artillery activity and raids
were reported by the British war Of
flee today.
The lull which has set in exists
over the three great battle zones
Flanders. Picardy and the Aisne river.
However, in the absence of grand
infantry assaults the big guns are
laundering along the line.
The British. though outnumbered
five to one. put up a great resistance
and retired in perfect order. They
made the Germans pay dearly Tor
every inch of ground The dispatch
declared that the Germans failed ut
terly to accomplish what they did on
the opening day of their drive on
March 81.
The German guns were active north
of Albert. in the district of Ayette and
in the sectors of Robeca and Mer-
willie Con the Flanders front.
French Reserves in Battle.
London, May 2e.-French re-
serves have been hurled into tie
battle of the Aisne, along the
VesIe river, putting the brakes on
the German offensive which was
evidently designed to capture
Paris.
The Germans began assaults as n
diversion. it is believed but finding
weak spot. developed their possibili-
ties to the utmost. 1t is essential that
the Vehle valley he held IS far as
Rheims or the abandonment of that
war ruined city will be necessary.
There was steadiness or the wings,
especially on the part of the bulldog
British. Tie allies still hold the pla-
teau to the northeast Of scissors.
commanding the confluence of the
Vesle and the Aisne and the heights
south of Rordant.
Thirty-five Divisions Used.
On the right flank the British are
astride the Aisne- Marine canal. hold
ing the heights fanking along the
southwest.
The situation is far from desperate.
Allied reserves were brought up
in perfect order. The enemy has
already hurled thirtyfive divi-
sions into the battle. Gen Foch's
problem now is to re-establish the
eouilihrium of the center.
At bends in the river the stream
was literally j1mmed with corpses.
Is Allied Strategy.
II Is allied military strategy to re-
sist the Germans with n few troops
while preparing for the arrival of re-
serves.
In the meantime one of the most
celebrated of the French army corps
has been aligned on the .Nehle river
for the defense or the hills lying 10
the south of it,
Soissons is fifty-five miles north
east of Paris. St Thierrv is two and
one-half miles northwest of Rheims.
The fort OF St Thcrrv is about two
miles west of the town.
The allied comman- perceived when
the German offensive began that re-
sistance on the lines they held would
I've impracticable and effected a with
drawal toward stronger positions in
order to give tire reserves time to come
nm. The enemy found both fianks
were holding. however
The Germans pushed forward as
quickly as possible with the troops at
their disposal. The allies gave way,
fightIng hard. Both the French and
british troops on the TANKS fought
with extraordinary courage and sue
seeded in holding on. Notwithstanding
the great odds against them. In some
niaccs they were outnumbercd ten TO
one.
The enemy now has the Aisnc at his
hack and may find himself in an awk- 3
gard tosition with the allied reserves
come into action. !