The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-03
Battle NOT ENDED.
ALLIES IN DOUBT AS TO WHERE
HUNS WILL Make A
STAND.
They May Try to Hold Line on Veslc
River But it is Possible That They
VIII be Forced Back to The Aisne.

forward vigorously today the cam
paien which has up to this time sue
ceeded in ejecting the enemy from
more than half of the Aisne- -Marne
salient. Belated announcement from
Berlin that further withdrawal had
been in progress since last Friday
night left it, greatly in doubt as to
where the German high command
plans to make a stand. The majority
opinion among officers here, however,
was that strong line could not be
set up short of the Vesle River and
that even there the Fra1co-British
positions about Rheims would keep
the German left flank in constant
danger. There was strong feeling
that the eventual line resulting from
General Foch's bold counter blows
would he along the heights of the
Aisne.
AS the line stood, according to the
last available reports tonight, it ap-
peared certain that the evacuation an
nounced by the enemy had not been
completed. The salient has been re-
duced until it no longer has anything
of the old wedge shape. The apex has
been driven in so that an irregular
line roughly paralieling the Scissors
Rheims base has been created resting
on the two sides Of the old salient
reaching southwark from scissors and
Rheims, respectively. 1t was to retain
these flank lines in order to get his
armies out of the depth Of the pock-
ct at the Marne that the enemy en-
ployed reserves lavishly.
The most bitter fighting recentl!
reported is along the center of the
irregular line which now forms the
front between the flank positions.
Franco-American forces were fighting
f1ercely with enemy rear guards here
at last accounts, and a crack division
Of Prussian Guards had been hurled
against the American positions in a
counter attack to check their prog
ress.
This suggested to observers here
that General Foch was seeking to
force wedge into the very center o,
the enemy's retreating lines, planning
20 take the strong positions in the
rear and force an even more precipi-
tate withdrawal There were signs
that a definite minor pocket was be
ing created by this thrust which
promised to crumple up the German
positions west of Fere-en-Tardeno1s
At the same time hammering blows
against enemy positions south of Sols
sons indicated the beginning of q
pincer movement there as well.
officials are elated at the fine show
ing which is being made by American
troops. The report that the PrussiaL
guard division had met a stone wal.
defense that gave not an inch to the
assault of the picked troops. added tc
that feeling. - ~ :
Secretary Baker, however, indicated
that the war department has no false
conception Of the importance Of pres
ent victories, encouraging as they are
It is fully, realized that the war is just
beginning so far as the United States
is concerned, and that no effort must
be spared to speed up war prepara
tons.
''The progress of the allied armie:
in the Soissons-Rheims salient is con-
tinuing," Secretary Baker said today
Substantial gains were made on
both Saturday and Sunday.
'It is fortunate our people are ac.
cepting this success with a true meas
ure of it's significance. It is, Of course
a cause for congratulation ard rejoic-
ing, but would by no means justify
any relaxation of our effort. 1t means
that we must redouble our effort"
In support of this view, there are
indications that Mr.. Baker will dis
cuss with the chairmen of the house
and senate committees probably this
week his enlarged army project, up
on which he has been laboring fol
some weeks Mr.. Baker said today
that his plans were not quite com
pleted.
The plans include primarily exten-
sion of the age limits for draft la
bility Additional appropriations and
army mobilization on an enlarged
scale are known to be included. AL
ready six new divisions have been
ordered formed in the United States
and others will be created at an early
date to supplement the flow Of re-
placement men through the replace
ment division machinery. Just how
large an army it is proposed to build
up on this side of the ocean is not
known.
A careful review of the man power
situation has been made by Provost
Marshal General Crowder as the ga
sis for the recommendation on draft
age changes Mr.. Baker will make.
General Crowder is credited with be-
lieving that all men between 18 and
As years should be brought within the
draft, but it appears probable that the
formal plans of the war department
will not go quite to that limit in eth
er direction The age limit most gem
orally set by those endeavoring to de-
termine in advance Mr.. Bakers attl-
tude are 19 to sc inclusive. Lower
ing the draft age is expected to meet
with opposition in congress although
raising of the age is said to be gener-
ally favored.