The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-08-06
Some Of His Companies
Were Reduced To Few
er Than Fifty Men
VESLE FRONT
Is UNCHANGED
German Resistance To
Crossing Of The River
Continues Strong
(Bv Associated Preaa.n !

With the French Army in France,
Aug. 6.-The German Crown Prince
is now engaged in reconsututing his
shattered divisions behind the lines
with the aid of the remainder of the
1918 recruits in the opinion of Cen
eral Mangin, whose army piayed
such brilliant part in forcing me
German retreat from the Marine.
Some OF the German divisions which
took part in this battle suffered q
reduction of company strength to
fewer than so men, some of the COM
panies being still further depleted in :
numbers.
Took II Guns.
With the American Army on the
Hesie' Aug. Elm the capture OF
Fismes, American troops took ITl
guns. with their crews these
weapons had been left south of the
Hesle to enfilade an advance into
F1smes. Some of the German artiI-
lerymen also were captured.
The Americans who captured
tismes were members Of the same
organization that occupied Cou-
longes, Cohan and Draviguy during
the advance north from the Marne.
AT Cohan all the civilians left be-
hind in the French retreat last spring
were found in the village church,
They had been kept under guard
there by the Germans who. occupied
the village. All personal belongings
Of any value were taken from the
civilians by the enemy. Most OF the
civilians were old men, women and
children.
7 Front Is Maintained.
Paris. Anp E-Tbn "a
tacks which the Germans have been
delivering against the Allied ad-
vanced guards north of the Vesle
have failed to disturb the temporary
sterilization of the Vesle front. The
Allied command is retaining the
initiative in these operations.
Much Importance is attached to-
day to the operations reported fur
theT to9khe north along the line be-
tween Braehes and Bfansel, norehFsIf
Montdidier. These are pointed to as
a direct menace to the Junction point
OF the armies Of General Won HuEier
and Crown Prince Rupprec1t
Resistance ls Strong.
Paris, Aug. 6.-German resistance
north of the Vesle is being continued,
the enemy rear guard standing de-
terminedly. along the heights COM
manding the river crossings, vhars
the French light elements which
have passed beyond the river are en-
countering them, says the HaVas
agency's review of the battle front
situation today The Germans are
trying to prevent further Allied
crossings. There is general agree
ment among the military critics that
the Germans will not be able to re-
main, long in the region between the
Vesle and the Aisne, where their po-
sition is considered untenable.
''The German position between the
two rivers" says lie Journal, rs a
critical one, being shallow and swept
by the French artillery along the en-
tire front and at some points on the
flanks. Its communications are un-
safe, and 1t will be dangerous for the
Germans to make their stand below
the Aisne instead of going behind
that river. The result would proo-
ably be enormous losses for the
enemy.
THE Germans are trying to bring
about a quieting down OF things in
this sector, but they cannot afford 20
overlook the fact that their opponent
has something to say as to this. Al
retreat is more easily begun than
The Echo de Paris lays stress upon.
the various signs observable of the
retreat which the German
high command may have in con-
at various points where
the French are attacking. IL bs-
lieves the enemy is preparing a 'sre-
lief offensive" to be launched short-
ly.