The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-07-08
fAssociated Press.)

| fAsSOclate0 fTesso
Again the Australians have made
successful forward plunge in the Sommt
sector northeast Of Amiens where witt
some help they carried out their bril-
liant operation of last week. The latest
drive by the rangy men from the Antip-
odes, launched last night, resulted In
what Is described by the British Of
fetal statement as slight advance
The aggregate of the ground gained
recently in this area has been con-
siderable however, and the new prog
ress made has apparently effected a
considerable movement in the British
position along front OF well toward
two miles on both sides of the River
Somme.
while the British are thus fortify-
ing themselves against the expected
renewal of the German offensive in one
of the sectors where It is considered
quite likely to be launched the French
are finding themselves somewhat ac-
lively engaged in a duel on the west
erly side of the Marne salient. With
the help OF the Americans. northwest
of Chateau -Thierry. the allied line as
a whole on this front has been
Strengthened and improved in anticipa-
French are replying spiritedly to the
German bombardment which Is marked
in the sector defending the Villers-
Cotterets forest. This extended wooded
area offers one of the most important
obstacles to a renewed German ad-
vance, should 1t be attempted in this
region.
Momentous happenings are in the
making on the western front. The lull
of the past few days will not con-
tinue long, and 1t is not improbable
the Germans will break 1t by hurting
their masses against the allied line to
crush it, II possible.
Correspondents at the front, while
reporting that new German blow Is
impending. obviously are unable to
give grounds for the belief. But the
Germans have had much time in
which to prepare for further great
strokes, and it is known they have
from thirty to forty divisions in shape
to throw into the fray. Added to this
Is the fact that the Germans have not
been very active for more than a
week and their counter attacks have
not been carried out with the usual
strength and determination.
Meanwhile, the allies are busy
strengthening the positions taken
from the enemy In the previous week.
Raids are being carried out here and
there, but not in great strength. ex-
cept in the case of the Australians,
who have moved forward 400 yards
on a front of more than q mile in the
Hamel region. south of the Somme.
The American sectors have been
quiet since the activity Of Saturday,
when the French made slight gain
near Chateau Thierry on a sector ad-
joining that held by the Americans.
Berlin reports this very local incident
as attacks in strong force, which were
repulsed.
On the Italian front the Italians are
consolidating and strengthening the
positions retnken nea' the mouth Of
the Piave. Vienna admits the loss of
the ground east and southeast Of
Capo Sile, which was the nearest the
enemy has got to Venice. there has
been only slight activity in the noun
tain zone.
There are many indications that the
news from Russia in the next few
days will be important and signifi-
cant as concerns the future of that
troubled country.
In the north the residents Of MUIR
man region have thrown Off the au-
thority. of the bolsheviN government
in Moscow and Joined the entente al
lies. There Is a great amount OF war
supplies in this region and American, |
French and British troops are guard
Ing It, while German and Finnish forces |
have been reported advancing In
force northward from Finland The
Murmansk coast offers starting
point for allied operations in Russia.