Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-07-19
Drive Continued Today With
Franco-ItaEan Attack on
OppOsiteSide.
By Fred s. Ferguson.

Omitted Press Staff Correspondent
With The American Army In The
Champagne, July I9.-Q:45 a. IN. -
American troops cooperating with the
French in the drius between the Marne
aud the Aisne already are within sight
OF Soissons.
latest reports received at headquar-
ters Indicated that the Franco American
atrack is progressing satisfactorily al
ong the whole front.
French Cavalry is said to have passed
the main highway from soissons to
Chatsad-Thierry.
The number of prisoners is not yet
known. One American unit alone has
taken $500 prisoners. Many more have
not been counted. More than fifty
en9my cannon have been captured.
The advance has been so rapid that
various regimental headquarters have
been moved forward as many as three
times aud couriers have had great diff
flcalty in keeping in touch with the
commanders migrations.
The tdive already is seriously threat
ening the. German right flank In tho
Marnc salicnt and holds Possibilities OF
forcing great enemy withdrawal. Sue
cess of the present operations has been
the means of averting any immediate
danger To Paris. The attack is rapidly
exposing great concentration Of enemy
reserves and artillery, which were held
IN ieadAness to be thrown into the bat
tie 70 the southwestward. II is a ques-
tion whether the Germans will be able
to organize these, or will have to with
draw hem. The element of surprise was
the great factor in the Franco-American
success. Ability of the French and the
americans to hold the enemy along the
Marae line also contributed.
Tue American reserves received or
Gefs to move to the battle line at s
r N. Rushing forward in trucks and
camions, they arrived within marching
distance about midnight. They began
their hike without delay and reached
the front only short time before the
zero hour, yet when they advanced and
started chasing the boches they appar-
ertly were as fresh as ever.
There was no artillery preparation.
The 'rt.!lery suddenly began rolling a
barrage and the tanks and infantry
moyed forward That was all. A heavy
thunderstorm had helped to conceal the
troop movements but the day broke
blight and clear. 1t was great fighting
weather.
Many Of the German soldiers were at
br 'akfast, OF were seeking shelter from
the rain whtn the allies went forward.
Tbe Americans had 'breakfasted' ths
night before and were without the handi
zap of observing meal time.
, Iil, advance was maintained without
interruption up to noon, when Frenrh
aid Amelicans halted briefly to rest and
rcorgahlze. Then they swept ahead
again. advancing farther than in their
first rush, French cavalry swung
ahead Sith the infantry in the after
nocn ana aided the Americans in clean
ing up the captured villages.
An .rIoans and French surrounded anrd
captured entire German batteries includ.
the artillery Of an entire division.
The americans carried their full pack
Of 81 pounds on their backs Most Of
enr udits did not bother with machine
guns. 1t was straight job of rifles,
bavancts and grenades.
The Americans worked their way
! through fields and woods and into VII
lases, ll,ng tine boehes before them.
They took prisoners so rapidly that tho
latter le ame hindrance and were sent
LG--I.--.--l