The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-12

OF the somme the Allies we're unable 10
advance In that section this morning, be-
ing occupied with resisting the freshly
organized enemy counter attacks. The
Germans are putting forth the most
desperate efforts to hold up the British
and American thrust in that neishbor-
hood, presumably with the inter;ion Of
gaining time to bring up reserves and
TO remove as much OF his stores as
possible.
Allied airmen have been feverishly
active all day. The Germans attempted
to throw pontoon bridges across the
Somme between Ham and Peronne. but
the British and French fiers destroyed
these as fast a. they were put In place
In addition they dropped tons OF bombs
on the retreating enemy transport coll
umns, blocking the roads and inhicting
heavy losses. The most extreme confus-
ion rules back Of the German lines, and
the retreat At some places has been
brought to complete halt.
Among the prisoners are Generals.
Colonies and officers OF all grades More
Nthan 1000 enetmy officers have been
captured. Eleven Of Gen. Won Hutier's
divisions have been Identified.
The Associated Press correspondent
with the French army says the German
defence was stiffenins this morning In
tne res'oh sou.nweS' vi ~
rrencn heNeI."sse, s~ru
foo'hoio on tne he'sh's Vi ih'e'eou'@
uu,,er IN Make stand,
There are Indications that Gen. Won
Hutier Is organizing a line OF resistance
on the general front OF Roye. Lassigny
and Noyon TO protect the withdrawal OF
the great masses of munitions and sup
piles gathered just to the rear and TO
-. d,es o,,, % 49,, ~ 49,
IN .,nuinv ~, 49, Eranc, ody,,o.
In ,hs, ssc,nr wa. Az. n,r,,v % ~. dien.
~ NJ, . va uue pa,us W ns ann
,i,as n,ar go. snnnn,harsd hv tbo
d.hr,s n, ,hs German ratrsat the bigh.
w.vs aIso bsvtne hssn blocked IN many
nlaces bv trees feIIed by the retiring
troops
In anita Of tb.se obstac,.s IN. French
advanced their lines south of the Rove
Arniens road and east Of Montddier, and
the line the enemy is orranizine between
Rsva ana I.ss,xnv ,s eon.idered moi
likely 10 prove. AZ the most, more tran
a temporary obstacle
with his right flank men,csd and
with a third French army under cen
Hunbert barassIno his roar tn a no,nt
where his retreat 4, diso-der,y Gen
Won Hutier's army II would annea-
will have to fall back beyond the Rove
Lassigny line to escape A yeritable null
yerizauon from the concentration OF
the three armies under Gems, Raylln-
son. Debeney and Humbert,
ArAies Move Like Machines.
Inc iaN thIee Gays nave Witnessed
machlneHke movements by these three
armies eacn reaching It's designated
ooJec'ives without single hitch. the
speed SHOWN IN maneuvrins Is regarded
as masterful Tor such large bodies OF
troops all the armies funcuoning per-
tecty'
me advance OF twelve miles by Gen.
Hawlinson's army at the outset OF the
offensive was accompanied by a push
from the French First army. Gen.
Humbert then delivered his stroke from
the south and Joined with precision in
executing the prearranged plan.
The Allies are nghtins their way for
ward and the armies OF Gems Won der
Marwitz and Won Hutier are in full
retreat, in the direction of Peronne,
Nesles and Ham. Important rear
guards are being sacrificed by the Ger
mans to insure the safety OF the main
armies. and there is well Defined
feeling among military critics that the