Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-16
German, Intent
Is Still Hidden
Continued from Page One

continued from rage Une
been discounted long ago. In fact,
seeing that it has formed an awkward
salient in the French line ever since
the Crown Princes attack Of last
month. we may take it as certain that
Foch has been ready to evacuate 1t, II
necessary, and that he has strong
lines made behind on the mountain Of
Rheims, east of the capital Of Cham
payne.
A German advance would take them
down to Chalons and the main line
Of railway communication between
Paris and Verdun; but that line the
Germans have for some weeks past
had under their guns where it skirts
the southern bank of the Marne be-
tween Dormans and Chateau-Thierry,
so that an effort in the direction Of
Chalons would give them nothing
which they had not already got.
The news that the enemy had sue
ceeded in crossing the Marne and has
progressed southwark of Chateau.
Thierry as far as Chevy again has
the appearance of preparation for
greater things; for the chief impor-
tance of an advance south Of the
Marne is that it widens out the front
Of attack on Paris from the north
east, which prior to this battle was
limited to a twenty-five.mile stretch
between the Aisne and scissors and
the Marine at Chateau-Thierry.
We know nothing yet of the
strength in which the attack has been
made. and until we do II Is impossible
to judge of Hindenburg's intention. 1t
Is quite certain that the long pause
has enabled him to prepare for large
number of divisions in battle. and we
must expect this to be a very serious
effort. the most important in its effect
upon the war, as a whole, of any bat.
tie since that of the Marne in 1914.
The length of front of the attack Is
impressive. 1t is as big as. that of
March 81. but it is possible that what
has so far been achieved may have
been accomplished by means Of great
concentration of guns and trench
mortars, and perhaps with the assist
ance of tanks. and that comparatively
few divisions have been taken from
the reserve.
The object of the Germans may be to
use up the French reserves and TO draw
them down from the north preparatory
to an attack on the Amiens front or
even farther north: or II may be to
widen the possible base of an attack
upon Paris or 1t may be the real main
effort intended to defeat as large a por-
ton of the French as possible without
any definite geographical objective at
all.
At present it is quite impossible to
say which Of these various courses Hin
denburg has decided on. 1t is even pos
sible that he has not decided himself
and that he is waiting to see what the
first days of this new attack achieve be-
fore making up his mind how to proceed.
He is known to have ground prepared on
other parts of the front, So that he can
develop his plan quickly according to
circumstances
The news so far received Ia encour-
aging, for it is already possible to say
that the attack on Rheims has given
the Germans mo return for the large
losses which they must have suffered.
Between Rheims and Dormans on the
Marne they made considerable progress,
but this was only one-half of the pinch
ers which were evidently intended to
pinch out Rheims, and as the other half
apparently failed to act the effect of this
advance is not at present serious.
The Americans are reported to be
fighting stubbornly both In the neighbor-
hood of Chateau.Thierry and near Dor
mans and to have counter-attacked near
the former place and driven the Germans
back beyond their starting point. This
Is a good augury, and we may expect
our French comrades who shine in coun-
ter-attack to follow, suit. h.
This battle. like that of the last month,
is being fought entirely by the German
Crown Prince, who brought in Won
| Einem's army, which had not been en-.
gagged in a serious battle this year. and
which holds the front to the east Of
Rheims. How far the Crown Prince ha.
been re-enforced by Rupprecht is stiIl
uncertain, and 1t is on this that the fu
ture depends, So far the indications are
that Hinderburg has not yet shown his
whole hand. He may, call upon Run
precht to re-enforce the Crown Prince
and try to carry this latest blow through
10 the bitter end but at present II looks
as II we might expect further deyelon-
ments before long on other parts Of the
1 front