Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-07-19
Failure of Drive
Marks Turning Point
in World War

The fifth phase of the German Of
fensive, after more than four weeks
of preparation, (the initial phase be-
gan on March 21,) is perhaps the most
elaborate in it's design, certainly the
most menacing; but at the very start
the Germans have taste Of the quail
ity of fresh American troops, who
threw them back in disorder across
the Marine, taking more than thou
sand prisoners. This superb stroke Is
of good omen, altho the Importance or
it should not be exaggerated.
This time the thrust is plainly at
Paris. but Rheims is oa the schedule;
also. apparently, Chalona and EpernaN.
important railway functions and
strategic coigns of vantage. While the
Germans plan the destruction or cap
ture of armies in the field, the taking
of cities being incidental, they have
learned by experience in the great
campaign of 1918, after four months OF
the most strenuous fighting the world
has ever seen, that the enemys line
may give but it does not break, always
retiring in good order. The political
value of the possession of Paris is
therefore in the forefront OF their de-
sire. It is a. mania of the crown prince
to march into Paris and while the high
command would much prefer to cap
turc an army, German statesmen
speculate that the occupation of Paris
would give them basis for peace pro-
posals which a war-weary France
would be disposed to consider soberly.
While the achievement on our front
is noteworthy as proving the mettle OF
the Americans, their fine fighting
spirit, and their, superiority over the
Germans at close quarters, 1T appears
that after the first rush the Germans
were held or forced back all along a
front Of nearly sixty miles extending
from Chateau Thierry to the Main &c
Massiges near the Argonne foothills
and the forest of that name. Accord
ing to one report the Germans could
not advance their left, where Italians
as we'll as French faced tn en-. The
enemy seems to have been in greatest
force between Chateau Thierry and
Dormans on the Marine, which are
twelve miles apart. BY gas shell fire
chiefly he made rapid gains-at one
point advancing 5000 yards-until the
Marine was crossed, when a great rally
of the French and Americans forced
him back on the river all the way, it is
said, from Chateau Thierry to Dor
mans. The fifth phase of the offensive
does not, therefore, open auspiciouslS
for the Germans.
It would be well, however, not to
build hope very high upon this early
check of the enemy, unusual and &c
markable as it is. 1t is remarkable be-
cause the system of defense IN what is
practically open war fare now calls
for a first line Of macline-Sun posts
lightly held. These have to be tban-
doned in the presence of numerical
superiority and a determined advance
behind barrage. Back Of ,hese posts
is q stronger line. and the defenses so
back with progressive strength for
some ten miles. All the Germans could
accomplish yesterday according to the
French bulletins, which are generally
accurate, was to drive forward for two
or three miles from their positions
southwest Of Rheims and get across
the Marine in places, but only to be
driven back on the railroad that fol-
lows the windings of the river. If they
should be held there, they would be
in danger of something like a disaster
If the Germans can recover their lost
ground south of the Marine, between
Chateau Thierry and Dormans by
bringing up strong reinforcements they
must encounter stiff opposition IL their
design is to follow the railway to
Esternay, where line runs east to
Chalons and west thru Coulommiers to
Paris. The terrain is hilly and watered
by numerous streams. 1t Is obvious
that the Germans desire to isolate
Rheims if they can advance on the line
east from Prunay to the Main de
Massiges; and it is to be assumed that
Chalons sur Marine, one of the great
battlefields of the past, is a coveted
objective The capture of Chalons
would be great triumph But whether
the attempt to swing their left forward
is feint, while forcing matters in. the
Chateau Thierry sector. will soon APP
pear. A movement on front OF some
sixty miles, all the time working on
an interior line, would bode Ill to the
allies If attended with a fair measure
of success for it would give the Ger
mans great deal of space to maneu-
yer in and an opportunity to concen-
trate at any one of many points in an
attempt to bring on a decisive action.
It Is evident that another crisis. per-
haps the greatest of all. is impending
in this far flung battle. In proceeding
phases Of their offensive the Germans
have found themselves compelled to
use at least twice as many divisions as
they designated for their advance, SO
heavy were their losses. so stubborn
the defense. Nothing very encouraging
for the allies can be expected for sew
eral days, altho they have stood up
to the enemy's first rush with a Svigor.
and determination that must have
taken him by surprise.
It was ten days before the drive at
Amiens was stopped, and orey after
the allies had siven way for nearly llt's