New-York tribune., 1918-06-01


advancing extremely fast and he is
now only about forty-five miles from
Paris.
Paris Enemy's Goal
AS in 1914, the French are again
at the Marne and the fate of Paris
must be decided soon In day of
grave anxiety, encouragement must
be found in the fact that the French
are heroically, stubbornly defending
the wings with a calm confidence in
their leader Foch, with his incom-
parable record on the Marne in 1914,
at Verdun in 1916, on the Somme in
1918. He commands all the Allied
forces and can use them as he con-
siders wisest. There is no question
of one army defending another.
Foch's command is obeyed by every
one.
Two distinct drives are being made
toward Paris, the first by Won
Boehm's and Won Bellows armies, the
former of which reached the Marine,
the second in a southwesterly direc-
ton toward Compiegne Forest. Cen
eral Foch reports a withdrawal to
the Blerancourt-E -Epagny line, which
runs approximately five miles south
west of the Ailette River.
Advanced 26 Miles
In four days the Germans have ad-
vanced twenty-six miles. Their
greatest progress was made on Mon
day, when they went twelve miles.
Chateau Thierry is highly impor-
tant centre The Crown Prince,
whose front extends from Noyon to
the Argonne, has succeeded in widen
ing his fianks, although the French
are holding we'll on the pivotal posi-
tions west of scissors and at Rheims.
All of Wilhelr1's reserves are en-
gagged, but until Rupprecht's army
moves the Allies cannot know
whether a second blow will be
launched at Amiens or toward the
Channel ports. Naturally, there is
a difference of opinion as to whether
Ludendorff will give the Crown
Prince further assistance or order
Rupprecht to strike on another front.
Foch's Reserves Coming Up
The Allied reserves are coming
into the battle rapidly, and it is con-
fdently expected that the Grown
Princes advance will be stopped at
the Marine However, the serious
ness of the situation cannot be eXag-
gerated. Ludendorff has won the
greatest success of his Western cam
paign, and even if the Crown Prince
is stopped the loss of Allied ma
terial alone is serious item.
I have authority for stating that
the original front of thirty-fve miles
was held by three British and four
French divisions. Against this hand
full, thirty German divisions were
hurled after short, fierce lombard
ment. 1t is admitted that the enemy
sprang a partial surprise, but most
of the enemy's preparations for the
attack were made months ago, troops
being moved up during the night pre-
ceding the blow.
Allies at Disadvantage
Great German concentration
camps at Cambria, ST. Quentin and
Laon gave Ludendorff an oppor-
tunity to shift his centre of gravity
quickly, while Foch, lacking the ini-
tiative, was at a considerable dis |
advantage in meeting the blow.
To-day there is gigantic race of
forces, and when they meet titanic
battle will be fought The French
are terribly handicapped by the loss
of guns and material in the initial
stages of the battle, but these
losses will be made good rapidly.
The events Of the last four days
illustrate the inability of the keen
est military experts to divine mill
tary moves as made in this unprece-
dented struggle. 1t would cause no
surprise if the battlefront were ex-
tended further to the eastward.