The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-23
VILLAGES USED
ASTORCHESBY
FLEEING ENEMY
German Defence Light as
U. s. Troops Cross Mafne
Many Prisoners.
FOE RESERVE DWINDLES
As Guns Abandoned and Panic
Betrayed by Goods Left
at Chateau Thierry.
FOE RESERVE DWINDLES
by HER BERT BAILEY.


Specid, Cable Despatch to THE Sun from the
London Times
Copyright, 1918: all rights reserred.
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY. July a.
American troops with the French are
still advancing. Except for rear guard
actions and some Smelling there was no
fighting to-day at the Marne end of
the sector. The Americans crossed the
river yesterday near Chateau Thierry,
not meeting any serious opposition.
machine guns.
Great fires were observed back of
the German lines this morning, pre-
sumably caused by the blowing up Of
ammunition dumps and firing villages.
More Of the Chateau Thierry salient is
ming straight to Oulchy Charteves The
French have crossed the MA4he in two
places near Dormans. The Germans
Jeff forty-f1ve guns south Of the river
when they retreated.
East OF Rheims the French have re-
have advanced two miles. Between
Rheims and the Marne there,was heavy
hghting yesterday, although 1t was COM
parativeay quiet to-day.
Fffty-four German divisions (675.o0e
rnsn) have been positively Identified on
the battle front, OF which twenty-one
te62.500) are between the Aisne and the
Marne. 1t Is believed more are imme-
diateiy In the rear. giving total Of
from sixty-five to seventy divisions
(from $4,000 to $4,000 men). 1t is
known that the Crown Princes reserves
are running low.
On Monday a week ago the German
long range guns began shelling towns
far back of the lines. causing the in
habitants TO close their shops and homes
and to assemble refugees preparatory to
retreat before the German offensive.
Many left. and roads that for weeks had
been quiet suddenly hustled with activ-
ity.
Foch's Move Cheers People.
For several days the issue hung In the
balance. and then one morning the
French heard the American troops mad
gone over the top near Soiss0ns and
everybody knew that Fochs great coun-
ter stroke had come. The feelings OF
all were at once changed to a peculiar
satisfaction which swept away all fpre-
bodings As psychological move
Foch's effort certainly succeeded. Faces
were transformed by smiles. To-day
one can pass villages which week ago
were starting points for the offensive
and see armored cars, cavalryHAn and
troops all pushing forward toward the
retreating enemy. Far away in the
distance last night I could see star
shells with which the Americans were
searching for the retreating enemy.
On Sunday morning the Germans left
Chateau Thierry, the first troops leaving
at 4 A. NJ At 8 o'clock that same morn
ing I was in the town talking to inhab-
itants who had remained there. 1t Is
hard to convey in words the feelings OF
these people. One poor old lady Of 81
with tears in her eyes grasped my hand
and fervently bid me welcome. She said
the Germans, except for their habit OF
not paying for what they took. had
treated her we'll enough. She lived in a
cellar, she said. and looked after some
Of their wounded. She said her constant
hope was that the soldiers of France
might come back to the town.
Last night the French Inhabitants.
numbering about 200 women and chill
Continued on Second Page.