New-York tribune., 1918-08-03

it was only to follow upon the trails
of the retreating enemy.
At few places there were sharp
encounters, but they were nothing
as compared with the terrible en-
gagements that previously had
been fought or what was expected.
The French cavalry operated
near Dravegny, about two and one
half miles north of Coulonges, with
the American infantry close behind,
while another detachment of mount
ed French troops opened the way
short distance to the west, with
French infantry and American foot
troops close up.
Eight Miles From Fismes
The penetration by the French and
Americans to the region of Dravegny
would place them only a scant eight
miles southeast of Fismes, on the rail
road line midway between scissors and
Rheims.
To the westward the French reached
the southern borders of the Loupegne,
Marcuil and Aiguizy woods, and the
French cavalry to the southern borders
of the Moines Wood.
Occasional bursts of machine gun fire
challenged the advancing line but it
was apparent early in the movement
that the Germans had gone. The stiff
est fighting encountered by the Amer
leans was in little piece of ground
cast of Chamery, where, according to
the German newspapers, the body of
Lieutenant Quentin Roosevelt was
buried after his airplane had been
erations.
Through wheatfelds and over wooded
trails soaked with the rain that fell
almost all day, the Americans moved
slowly and cautiously. but almost con-
tinuously, over farms and past villages,
among them Coulonges and Cohan.
To the westward another force of
Americans also was moving steadily
through and around the Nesles Woods
and the rolling country east of the
woods. To both the east and west Of
that part of the line held by the Amer
leans the French were meeting with
similar success.
Few prisoners were taken during the
day, but one of them, captain, ad-
mitted that the German artillery had
been withdrawn. His story tended to
confirm the stories Of other men capt
ured, that the Germans were deter
mined to make their next big stand on
the Vesle, and not the Ardre, and that
their movements under way indicated
the fortifying of Fismes as the centre
of the next fixed line Of battle.
1t is not anticipated that the Ger
mans will withdraw to the Vesle line
without renewing their rcarguard re-
sistance, and it is expected that the
present virtually unopposed advance
will end quickly, perhaps with stiff
fighting on the higher ground just
south Of the Ardre, in order to give
their artillery and stores across the
river.
Fismes in Gun Range
With only a slight advance in add-
ton to that of day the heavy guns
Of the Allies easily will be in position
to shell Fismes, and any part of the
line the Germans may determine to
stand on could Immediately be made
uncomfortable
Although the enemy's retreat, on the
whole has been successful and he has
succeeded thus far in extricating the
greater portions Of his armies from
the salient, observers have witnessed
conditions which they believe indicated
that the Germans are moving more
hastily than they desire. Huge clouds
Of smoke and dull explosions have
come from st. Cille, on the Ardrc.
short distance south Of Fsmcs, and
other places nearer the Allied front.
These told Of the destruction Of big
ammunition dumps. Fires also are Wis
ible at eight or ten places. even az far
az Fismcs. That they had been started
by the Germans seems obvious, since
no Allied shells had reached these
places during the day.
The Americans expected to find the
enemy prepared for bitter fight, but
when they swung northward from their
positions in the line after brief artil-
lcry preparation. TO which there was
no reply, all was silence in front Of
! them. The nkirmish line even was
abandoned. and the men were enabled