Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-07-18
GERMANS
POSITION
INSECURE
FIanks Exposed and Army That
Crossed the Marne May Be
Trapped; Crisis Past,
Washington Believes.
By Associated Press.

Washington, July 17.-While
official reports from Generals
Pershing and Bliss were too be-
lated to permit formal con-
clusions to be drawn as to- the
situation on the western front:
it was clear that military au-
thorities believed that the crisis
was past and the enemy's plans
frustrated.
Neither Secretary Baker nor
General March, chief of staff,
would express an opinion as to
the situation, but other officers
generally regarGed the battle
as more than half won.
AS press accounts and the brief
official communiques from Paris and
Berlin have so far disclosed the situa-
tion, the great thrust has been
narrowed down in three days, of
fighting to one active sector where
the enemy still was moving sluggishly
at last accounts.
River Crossing Under Fire.
In effect, officers said, the great
offensive already has degenerated into
a purely local action on front of less
than 20 miles between the point just
- east of the original American posi-
tions on the Marine in the Jaulgonne
sectot to the wooded region west of
Rheims. Itis possible that the activi-
ty on the German left in these woods
will result in hanking operation at
Rheims itself, but officers here were
A not inclined to think so.
iFi' To most observers the center of in
terest was the 12-mile stretch on the
south bank of the Marne which the
enemy holds and his thrust down the
river valley toward Epernay, where
the Germans have been able to force
their way some four miles beyond
the river. Their crossing, upon which
the maintenance of the forward lines
and The continuance of the push down
the Nlley depend, was reported to
be under direct artillery fire.
= Counterstroke Possible.
Officers looked with attention at
the very hopeful prospect of count
erstroke by the allies which they
believed might have important re-
suits. 1t was indicated BY today's
reports that the Germans stand with
both flanks exposed and with their
communication lines seriously men
aced. 1t was believed that unless the
Germans can widen out their posi-
tions they will be compelled to fall
back to the river or face the posi-
bility of being trapped as The Austri-
ans were on the Piave.
The extent of any counter move
ment would depend wholly upon Cen
eral Foch's available reserves and up-
on his own campaign plans. 1t is re-
garded as certain, however, that he
would not overlook an opportunity
to annihilate an enemy division or
two, possibly the bulk of General
Won Boehn's army
Airmen Take Important Role.
Accounts of the activities of French
airmen during the first day of the
battle are reaching Washington, CIV
ing a vivid picture of the constantly
growing part the air forces are play
ing in modern war. Tons of bombs
were dropped on the Germans as they
surged forward to cross the Marne.
Concentration points far to the rear,
where troops and supply trains wait
ed orders, were hunted out and del
uged with bombs while moving COL
umns were harassed with machine
gun fire from above. These opera
tons increased the enemy's difficult
ties and are still adding to them.