The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-07-26
Marine BATTLE
BECOMES RACE
Franc0-A American Troops Near
Fere, Main German Base
of Supplies.
FATE OF HUNS SEALED SOON
Washington Sees Decisive Turn In
War by the Allies Rout of the
Germans New Offensive
Against Italy Is Expected.

Washington, July 26. - Pushing
steadily forward American and French
troops south of scissors and French,
British and Italian forces in the re-
giOn Of Reims have gained in the
race against the Germans in the great
allied commensurate.
More and more the desperate bat
tie being waged north Of the Marne
is assuming the aspects Of race, in
the opinion Of officials here. On the
one side are the troops of the allies,
striking at both sides of the pocket
like salient between Soissons and
Reims in an attempt to close the jaws
of the trap set by General Foch. On
the other side are the German forces
under General Boehm, who by rear
guard actions and counter-attacks are
attempting to stay the progress Of the
allies until troops, guns and supplies
can be removed from the salient.
Time is the great factor in the race.
On the western side Of the salient
the Franco-American forces, accord
hg to unofficial advices, appeared to
be threatening one of the vital Ger
man centers, Fere-en-TardenOfs, which
is known to be the supply station for
the German forces to the south. Signs
Of q new movement on the other side
Of the salient were seen In the gain
ing by the British of important ground
in Vrigny wood, southwest Of Reims.
Many Huns Face CAPTURE
Not alone Is the position of the Ger
man forces being made more precari-
GUS by gains on the upper banks Of
the salient, but officials believe that
many German troops face the danger
of capture through determined attacks
by the Americans and French in the
region north of Chateau Thierry.
The enemy is also being harassed, it
was pointed out by General March in
his mid-week conference, by long
range artillery fire, which is Destroy
ing his carefully worked out transpor-
tation system within the salient. With
the railroad running from Chateau
Thierry to scissors under allied fire,
or in allied hands, only single rail-
road remains which can be used by
the German command in getting out
men and supplies. This, General
March indicated, Is the railroad rum
ming from Nanteuil on the Ourcq to
BazocLes on the River Vesle.
Germans to Lead Austrlans.
A new offensive against Italy by
German and Austrian divisions COM
manded by German general has been
determined upon by the central pow
ers. according to information reach
ing the Italian high command. An
official dispatch from Italy said Ger
man troops for the offensive already
have arrived in Austria.
The German divisions are to be
mixed with Austrian divisions and
form an entirely new army, informa-
tion received by the italian COM
mands discloses.
Rome official dispatches also declare
the Austrian supreme command has
decided. after a thorough discussion
Of the Albanian situation, to take
meas asures to prevent further advance
nv the French and Italian troops In
the vicinity of Berat. The victories
of the allied troops in Albania had
such a considerable effect on the Slav
and Balkan population that a council
of Austrian ministers was held on the
subject at Vienna and firm stand
was advised.