The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-08-15

The extent of the German withdrawal
north Of Albert is not yet clearly defined
and its effect upon the situation as a
whole is problematical. Field Marshal
Haig announces the enemy has left his
forward positions at Beaumont Hame,
Serre Puisieux -au- Mont and Bucquoy.
These are in the Hebuterne sector, where
the Germans were stopped in their often
siye of March 2l. Many vain efforts were
made by the Germans to reach the
heights around Hebuterne, as their posi-
tions in this sector were dominated by
the British guns.
Should the German lines be moved
back any great depth the line south to
Albert and thence to the Somme would
be affected. Likewise the line north.
ward to the Scarpe might have to be re-
adjusted. 1t is not unlikely the move
ment here is similar in purpose to the
recent Withdrawals in the Lys salient
and is part of German plan to get
into as strong positions as possible on
the entire front from Ypres to Rheims.
North of the Somme Australian troops
have improved their positions between
Bray and Etinehem, reaching the western
outskirts of Bray, one of the main bas-
tlans of the line south from Albert.
East of Parvillers, northwest of Roye,
the British have made progress toward
the Chaulnes- Roye railroad.
Lassigny still holds out. The French,
however, continue their pressure and
orn li4Nla AHn, IL l.
of the town. German resistance is strong,
the enemy counter attacking repeatedly
on the hills and in the woods of the pla-
teau region there.
On the western bank of the Oise
slightly more than six miles south Of
Noyon, the French have occupied Ribe-
court The town itself is on the low
land but the French also hold the heights
to the west and northwest, which were
part of the defensive system for Cures
camp forest, east of the 0se and Thies.
court wood, south of Lassigny. While
the French have not broken the Roye-
Lassigny- -Noyon line, it Is still far from
being saved to the Germans and a French
advance of even less than mile would
throw it out of balance.
-Four weeks ago to-day Marshal Foch
took the initiative on the western side
of the Marne salient and week ago the
French and British hit the German lines
east and southeast of .Amiens. In the
four weeks the allies have reclaimed
nearly 1900 square miles of territory
improved their positions to the detri-
ment Of the enemy, freed the important
railways running east and north from
Paris and unofficially have captured 49,
600 prisoners and l,7O0 guns, These are
the physical gains, the future holds the
others
Many army officers in Washington ex-
pect that a new drive shortly will be
made against the enemy. Flanders or
the area between the Oise and Scissors
are believed to be the most likely fields
of action
Along the Vesle the French and Amer
leans are being subjected to lombard
ments from German airmen as well as
from the enemy guns. There has been
no infantry action, In Lorraine Amer
lean patrols have brought back prisoners
from the enemy trenches.
Allied airmen Tuesday put out of ac-
ton 43 German machines, 81 of which
were destroyed. Attacks on railway sta
tions, airdromes, ammunition dumps and
other military targets continue without
a let up. American aviators also have
bombed railway stations in the area be-
tween Verdun and Metz
1t is reported that the Soviet troops
are retiring from Moscow The reason
for the movement is not disclosed. Pre-
mier Lenine and Foreign Minister Trotz-
ky were reported several days ago to
have gone to Kronstad because of un-
settled conditions in Moscow