The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-17
BAKER WARNS U. s.
AGAINST OPTIMISM
Proud of Troops Achieve
mentS. but Fears Worst Is
Not Yet Over.
SEES HALT TO THRUST
Americans Engaged in Large
Numbers for First Time
During War.

SDsCfnI DespufCh 10 lhE SlN'
WASHINGTON. July l6.-By throwing
in fresh American forces as part OF
his reserves Gen. Foch has stopped the
Germans south Of the Marine, the point
OF greatest penetration in their Nth
oqensive. and has even thrown them back
some distance toward the river.
This is the construction placed upon
the days news tonight by officers at
the War Department. who saw reason
to feel proud OF the achievements of
the Americans engaged in large numbers
for the first time in one Of the great
battles of the war
While to-day's report increased the
confidence felt here that the nth drive
OF the Germans has already lost much
OF its momentum and that the Ameri-
cans engaged along the Marine are not
to be shaken by any subsequent at
lacks. Secretary Baker took pains TO
warn against too much optimism at this
time. First day optimism" was the
way Mr. Baker characterized Il.
May he Just Beginning.
The feeling at the War Department
and reflected by Mr.. Baker in this warn
ing Is that yesterday and to-day were
very probably only the beginning of n
great battle which may last week
that conclusions should not be drawn
| from mere bulletins OF the early stages
Of such an offensive and that the end
| of the battle cannot be predicted with
any certainty until definite information
has been received covering the fighting
| of the three days.
That the number OF Americans en-
gagged in the battle had increased. In
GLIDING possibly troops from two army
| corps, was the belief at the War De-
| partment tonight based on the reports
| of the fighting during the day.
Many American divisions are now
thought to be in the thick OF the fight
ing. possibly more than on either side
at Gettysburg.
The following was issued late tonight:
At midnight the War Department
vas not in receipt OF late cable des-
patches from Gen. Bliss or Gen.
Pershing. but it was in Communica-
ton with the military attache at
Paris Information from this last
source does not deal specifically with
the days point OF attack and defence.
but brings information of heavy losses
sustained by the enemy's attacking
forces and of his failure to make sub
s;antial progress against the allied
| resistance during the last twenty-four
| hours.
encouraging Report Received.
1t was understood that the despatch
! from Paris received this evening was
most encouraging and stated the Amer
| lean lines had not budged an inch dur
| ing the day.
| TIE Americans appear to have beer
| drawn heavily upon by the French. II
| is believed here that those who would
| naturally be called upon would be the
veterans Of the First Army Corps. the
regulars. marines and National Guard
troops OF the New England, Rainbow
! Sunset divisions and the Thirty second
! division. all Of whom have seen consid
| cradle fighting in the many months they
| have been at the front. but not on such d
scale as the present operations.
It was made plain to-day by Secretary
! Baker that these troops however. are
no; yet operating rs an army corps b,
| themselves A few OF the regiments Of
| the First Corps now engaged are still
/ hriraded with French troops. Mr. Baker
| explained Others are acting ms Amer
! lean divisions along the Marine front, Al
are still part OF French army corps and
part of n French field army.
| That considerable part Of Foch's re
! serves are Americans has been known
| for some time. Consequently ii Is believed
| here that as the fighting has progressed
| more and more Americans may hav'
| been brought up.