The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-06-13
Germans Start a New Drive on
Paris, Striking Lines of the
Allies in Champagne.
ADVANCE, BUT LOSE HEAVILY
Foch's Reserves Come Up and Huns
Are Checked North Of the Marine
Americans Carry Out Offensive
In Gallant Style-italians
VIII TWO Victories.
BY EDWARD w. PICARD.

Last week witnessed n renewal of
the kaiser's drive on the west front,
but to the surprise OF everyone not in
the confidence Of the German high
command, the blow was directed, not
against the allies in Flanders, nor
against their lines in the Amiens re-
gion, but In Champagne. Ills appar-
ent Intention was to rush his forces
swiftly on Paris, breaking through
where the allies were weakest. The
location was well chosen and the prep
nrattonS made with wonderful secrecy,
nut up to the hour Of writing the re-
suits were. as I'm the former drives, not
comparable with the losses sustained.
The apex Of the drive had advanced
some IL miles beyond the starting line,
reaching Veziily. six miles from the
Alarne and AZ miles from Paris. The
famous Chemin des Danes had been
taken, as had Craonne, Vailly. Fismcs
n other towns and villages, and
finally, on the west side of the new
salient, the allies retired from Sois-
sons. But by that time Gene4al Foch's
reserves were arriving In large num-
berS and the desperate efforts Of the
to widen the salient were
~stubbornly resisted and virtually
checked. In the suburbs Of Scissors
the French were holding onto the west
ern outlets from that city, and north.
west Of ReimS, on the east side Of the
wedge. the British forces were
repnlslng every Hun assault.
The commanders Of the allies viewed
the situation With calm confidence and
seemed to have no doubt that they could
stem the OnruSh OF the Germans long
before they reached the neighborhood
of Paris. They were not yielding n
root OF ground easily or chenply. but
were pursuing their former policy of
retiring in good order before vastly SUI
pcrior numbers. maintaining their line
intact and sparlng their reserves as
much ns possible.
The German armies selected for this
third drive were those Of the crown
prince. though they are commanded
really not by that degenerate son Of
the kaiser. but by Generals Won Bochm
and Won Below. About thirty divisions,
with large drOves Of tanks and much
artillery. were brought up to the Che
min dos Danes front In the nights and
kept concealed In the daytime so that
the allied aviators had no inkling that
the long expected attack was to be
made there. Facing the 30 divisions
were nine French and four British di-
visions to stop the Germans when they
began their attack on Monday between
COucy and Rcims. after q terrific bonn
bnrdmcnt with gas and high explosive
shells. They forced their way down
to the Aisne the first day, and even
crossed that river ut some points.
Next day they made n further advance
Of some five miles, reaching the VeSle
river and forcing q crossing ut Fismcs,
hut already they were being slowed up,
and on the TANKS they were able to
make little progress. Wednesday they
directed great masses Of troops at Sois-
sons and the French and British there.
after cxacting q fearful price In lives,
withdrew to the western cnvirons.
Meanwhile the German center was
pushed forward to Fcrc-cn-Tardenois
and Vczilly. On Thursday the entire
allied line was reported to be holding
we'll. and thereafter the Huns made
slow and difficult progress. or none at
all.
-Ea-
Foch's arrangements for handling
big reserves proved excellent, and the