Bisbee daily review., 1918-07-27
TIME MAY BE UNRIPE
POCKET NOT YET SUFFICIENTLY NARROWED TO PREVENT GER MAN WITHDRAWAL WHILE FocH's ACTIONS LEAD TO BE- LIEF CAPTURE NOT DESIRED
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 WASHINGTON, July 26.-Behind the apparent lulI in the struggle around the Aisne-Marne salient today. the high command of the allied and German armies may be setting the stage for the decisive battle of the war. In that event it seems more than likely to observers that the fourth an niversary of the conflict will see a flame of fighting raging from east of Rheims to the North sea; but with the crucial conflict in progress some where just north of the Marne.
 Theer is nothing as yet in reports to show General Foch's plan. Flick CTS of fighting have occurred to the north that may have more than local significance behind them There is some evidence of a feeling heer that the time has not come yet when a suf- ficient American army has been as sembled in France to warrant passing definitely to offensive tactics.
 It was recalled today that General March recently indicated to members of congress that this was not to be ex- pected until later in the year. The situation has changed greatly at the front since then, however, and only developments there will show what de- cision has been made.
 At first it appeared that the fierce counter attack launchedby General Foe h on the western side of the Aisne Marne salient was intended only to offset the German effort to encircle Rheims and further exploit the men, ace toward Paris. AS success followed success for the Franco-American troops and as the Italians and British joined, the nature of the operation changed It was clear that the tables had been turned on the enemy and that the nut cracker tactics he had attempted to apply to Rheims were in turn being applied to his armies.
 The enemy was quick to realize his danger. Behind a stubborn rear gaurd he drew back across the Marne and today was apparently still struggling nOrthward out of the depth of the pocket in which he had been caught To save his advanced forces here, re- serves have been called to hold apart the jaws of the great trap until the armies of the crown prince could es- cape.
 Yesterday the advance of the British northwestward from the region of Rheims aroused hope among offiGEaIs here that the allied forces might be able to spring the trap. The Hull to- day seemed to indicate General Foch was not prepared at this time to press his advantage to his full power in that direction.
 The pocket is not as yet sufficiently narrowed at the top to prevent with drawals of the German armies falling back from the Name officers believe. That the main pressure of the allied troops today was rather against the blunt apex than against the extended sides of the salient was taken as an indication that the supreme comman- der was bent more on forcing his op- ponent out of the pocket than to trap him in it.
 Should General Foch feel that he should still await the coming of more American troops to give decided pre- ponderance in numbers, officers antici- pated that he would continue to har- rass the entire German flank and front exploiting his present victories to the fullest possible extent and forcing the enemy to decide upon making stand.
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