The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1918-07-26
REAL COUNTER IS
YET TO COMMENCE
PRESENT ALLIED OFFENSIVE is
ONLY A MARKER COMPARED
WITH WHAT is TO COME
HUN REPORTS IGNORE YANkS
German Officials Fear to Let People
Know That Americans Are TAX
ing Large Part in Pushing
Back Their Butchers

Washington. July 20-War depart
nIput officials foresee the real counter
offensive against the Germans later
In the present year. General March,
chief of staff. indicated to the house
military committee Yesterday. He de-
clared the employment of possibly
eight American divisions in the pres
ent double battle on the Alsne-M Marine
Rheims front would not materially af-
feet plans to hurl overwhelming man
power into the great drive against
power into the great drive later
against the enemy.
II was made plain the smashing at
tack of Franco-American forces on
lie Aisne- Marine line is regarded only
as minor operation in comparison
10 what is Ia come. The success of the
drive launched Thursday by General
Foch has already been startling. Off
cial reports from Paris last night said
II 600 prisoners and 300 guns had been
captured. The Berlin statement adj
mitted the French advances but ig-
nored American participation and
claimed 10000 prisoners had been
taken in their drive launched last Mon
day. Apparently the enemy com
manders dare not admit to the Ger
man people that American armies are
already fighting over "A long front and
scoring repeated successes over vet
eran German divisions.
Reports late in the day from London
and Paris indicated further advances
had been made by the Franco-Ameri-
can forces during the day. Official adj
vices from General Pershing led to the
hope that scissors, nearly 10 miles in
side the German lines Wednesday
night. would be in allied hands within
Il short time. Rumors that it had
already fallen and 10000 additional
German prisoners had been taken
We're in circulation, but no additional
adviceS from General Pershing had
arrived at late hour last night.
Mr.. Baker indicated the high hopes
of war department officials in issuing
the following statement:
Bakers Statement.
"The attention of the world is, of
course focused on the tremendous
counter blow being delivered by Gen
eral Foch. Gradual extension of these
operations to the east is indicated In
the press dispatches but ii is not Off
cially confirmed. The gain on the
front of the original counter thrust
has been deepened, narrowing the sail
ent and making the position of the
German occupants less tenable.
I'VE have no report of the capture
of scissors, but the battle has been
raging at that part of the front and
the fall of scissors seemed to be indi
Gated by the progress made at the time
of latest official dispatches.
1.-THE significance of this movemen,
lies in the fact that the supreme com
mander evidently feels the allied
forces are now sufficiently strong tc
Justify vigorous offensive action"
Unless the Franco-American troops
are brought To a halt definitely before
Sunday night 1t Is freely predicted the
enemy will be forced to fall back. II
he evades the trap that Is closing or
him he will be compelled to abandon
vast quantities of war material, ant
will lose many prisoners in making hi.
escape, ii Is believed.
The latest reports last night indicat
ed steady progress was made yester
day against the reserves hastily as
Semhled by the enemy 10 meet Genera
Foch's surprise thrust. For the frs
time, the German official statemen
made no claim of having advanced oI
the Marine sector or elsewhere on tn,
wide line they assailed last Monday
The Franco American thrust has an
parently halted that drive.
There is increasing evidences the en-
ergy of France, Great Britain and tn
United States is being concentrate,
on getting vast reserves together fo
later blows. The enlarging army plan
Secretary Baker told congress he wa
having worked out. is taking shape
II Is certain extension of the draf
age limits is to be asked and Their
are indications other steps are il
progress. Military necessity require
silence now on such of these plans a
have become known.
The phases of operation on III
western front not directly counecte
with the Franco-American attack mr.
attracting wide attention here. on
of these is the succession of lnca
blows being delivered by French an
Italian forces along the fronts nort
and south of the Marine. where m
enemy made his only important gain
during the present week.
Red Gross Will Aid Russia.