New-York tribune., 1918-07-18
disappointment in Germany
Said Already To Be Hav-
ing Mighty Consequences
Elite of Army Beaten
Bodies of Teutons Reported
Spread All Over Ground
in Heaps
Especial Dlsputch to The Tribune)

tSpec,dt Dispatch to The Tribune)
WASHINGTON, July 17.-"The Ger
mans may continue to follow up their
iocal attacks at various points, but
thelr last great offensive has failed
says an official French dispatch received
mere to-day, which also asserts that
never. perhaps, have the enemy losses
oeen SO heavy, and that the disappoint-
menS felt in Germany is already having
great consequences. The dispatch fol
lows:
Inc correspondent of the Havas
agency at the French front tclegraphs
that, IN view of the insignificant sue
cesses of the new German offensive. one
might ask if the attack of Monday were
but feint intended to divert our at
tentlon from the point on which our
enemies meant really to direct their eff
forts, or if they have in fact thrown
the whole OF their forces against the
line between Chateau Thierry and Mas
slgnes. There is a certain way of dis
covering this-tc find out the numbe,
and Importance of the divisions en-
gagged in it,
his already has been done to a GER
tain extent. About twenty divisions
were engaged between Rheims and
Chateau Thierry and about as MANY
between Rheims and Massignes. Other
divisions are being kept IN reserve and
ready to intervene Immediately, as thew
have already done, or to profit by the
success which was anticipated.
"A second factor still more vital is
tnat concerning the Importance of the
divisions engaged.
According to the first information
received the I'd, Sd and 5th divisions of
the guard have been identified; also
the 200th, 195th and 199th regiments Of
sappers; the 1st, Cd and 18th Bavarian
dlvisions; the 10th Silesian division
and Its reserve division; the 23d Saxon
Division, the 25th Wurtcmberg Divis-
ION and the 7th Magdeburg Division
all divisions of primary Importance.
representing the elite of the German
army. man
ut is to be noted further that all
these units. having rested for more
than month, had undergone an inten-
s1ve training in view of their approach
ing Intervention on the batflofelG
There is, therefore, no doubt that az
much by the number of the divisions
engaged as by the value of the units
brought into line Germany gave an ex-
ample OF a very powerful effort.
NOW these fine divisions have horn
put to such severe test, or are now
IN such weakened state, that thew viii
not be able to reappear on the battle.
field very soon.
The dislllusionment of the Germans
must be very considerable, iudpino
from statements made by prisoners
once more their officers had assured
mem OF an easy victory, affirming that
they would find only small numbers of
enemy troops against them, and that
these would be completely demoralized
IN order to encourage them. Success
was SO taken for granted that the Ger
mans were reckoning upon reach;nc
Eonde Brie by midday and sleepjnS
tha night at Montmirail.
The disappointment seems to have
peer ocen most bitter, and is of nature all
Ieady to cause great consequences in
germany. Never, perhaps, have the en-
emy losses been SO high. Their bodies
are a, Strewn over the ground in heaps.
ne Germans may continue to follow
up thelr local attacks at various points.
put their last great offensive has