The sun., 1918-07-20
Enemy Resisting Desper-
ately the Effort to Get Pos
session of SOiSSOns.
MARINE LINE WEAKER
Penetration Already Suf-
ficient to Cause Change in
the German Plans.
BRINGS MORE RESERVES
Greatest Gain During Day
Made in Portion Held by
the Americans.
BRINGS MORE RESERVES
Special Gable Despatch 10 THE SuN.
COpnri1hf 1918: all ridhfs reserred

Copyright, 1918: all rights reserred
LONDON, July 19.-The great coun-
ter offensive on the scissors front In
France is developing better than the
most optimistic had hoped at its be-
ginning at daybreak yesterday. Dur.
ing the day the French and Amerl-
cans advanced their lines about two
miles further east at some pointa
and although the Germans had
brought up very heavy reenforce-
ments and began their counter attack
with great rigor on the plateau to
the south of Sois>ons. which is tho
key to the city, they we're unable to
make any progress against the Ameri-
cans who are holding the position.
In fact the tide of the Francs,
American Invasion Is still in full
food and the Germans so far have
been wholly unable to stem 1t or even
to diminish its force. Paris tonight
reports so far 1000 prisoners ami
more than $50 guns have been tcksp.
The greatest gain recorded wny
In the central part Of the battle
front md on the section Immediately
south of it, nearer to Chateau
Thierry. This is the section held by
Americans.
General Retreat Likely.
The prevailing opinion among COM
petent military observers here to-
night is that Gen. Foch's offensive
already has progressed to point
where it will compel the Germans
to make complete readjustment of
their whole front south of the AiSne
and that they may be forced to retire
considerable distance unless they
can recover the gains made by The
French and Americans yesterday.
1t Is not impossible that the repulse
OF the Germans along the whole line
from SoissOns to the Argonne may
be turned into complete defeat.
The initiative has passed into the
hands Of the French definitely and
the tables have been turned COM
pletely on the enemy, who will have
to fight desperately to avert dis
aster. That the Germans will he
compelled to discontinue their attacks
on the Marine and To the eastward
toward Rheims seems almost certain,
as well ms that the Crown Prince
will have to employ all his reserves to
extricate his army from the very
perilous position in which il has been
placed.
ReenfOrcements Brought In.
Strong German reenforCements came
up during the night and were in ac-
ton early this morning. The fighting
yesterday was not confined to the
western side of the salient, as some OF
the reports indicated. hut extended
south OF the Marne, where the French
recartured Montvoisin, on the south
bank of the river seven miles east o.
Dormans, and threw the Germans out
of Oeuilly.
on the eastern side Of the Marne
salient, between the river and Rheims.
progress was made by the French in
Roi Wood and Courton Wood, tho
points where the driving in process of
the Germans in their effort to encircle
Rheims had reached "A highly danger
Gus point, and the French lines were
advanced nearly a mile westward. 4
little further to the north the Italians
took Moulin dArdre and also somo
ground near Bouilly
German Reports NisIending.
The German reports tonight and to-
day are an example Of very crude falsl-
fCation by indrect!on. The night state
ment says a fresh attempt Of the French
TO break through met with heavy losses
to them. The day statement asserts
that 'the long expected counter offensive
of the French" penetrated by surprise
into few isolat ted points on the infan-
try and artillery lines. hut the German
reserves. which had been held IN roadl-
break through. 1t is asserted also that
the number Of prisoners taken by tho
Germans since July l5 has risen to
10000
In the two German statements mem
tion Is not made once that American
troops are participating In the fghting.
IT. appears that ii studious ,Jfort has