The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-09-27
AIMS At CENTER
Of GERMAN ARCH
Washington Sees Great Pos
sibilities in FOch's New
Attack
BIG AMERICAN ARMY
is PARTICIPATING
Extent of Operations Leads Washing
ton Military Critics to Believe That
Big Force was Shifted in Preparation
for the Blow.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27.-The key
stone of the great German defensive
arch in France is under assault in the
Franco American offensive launched yes
terday morning in the Champagne over
front of more than 40 miles. Because of
the place of attack selected by Marshal
Foch military officials here regarded the
new blow as one of wide strategic posi-
bilities
1t was not until General Pershing'ss
official statement arrived late last night
that a definite idea was given of the ex-
tent and success of the initial rush. The
Americans advanced on front of 20
miles to an average depth of seven miles.
taking more than 5000 prisoners and II
| towns. The French war office previously
had reported that the French troops fur
Their west had advanced nearly four miles
at certain points.
The point of attack selected by Mar
shall Foch caused no great surprise here.
As far back as 1915 the French strate-
gists saw that the Champagne front
offered the greatest possibilities in re
pelling the invaders with the least expen-
diture of men. There was fierce fighting
that year on this sector, but the French
lacked the reserve power to press for
ward in accordance with their strategic
designs, and were forced to settle back
to tactical operations and defensive meas
ures.
Since then the line between Rheims
and Nerdun has been relatively un.
changed. the last offensive effort of the
enemy against Rheims in July having
failed to break it. On that occasion
American troops aided in repelling the
eastern jaw of the enemy pincer attach
on the cathedral city. the AID tRainbow
division having been brigaded Will
French troops on this front, where ii wol
high commentator from the French lead
ers.
As the French plan of 1915 has beef
{ discussed. it contemplated driving grea
. wedge through to the line of the Meus
where it skirts the Forest of Ardennes
near the Belgian border Resting on
: wide base and supported by the Fortres
1 of Nerdun on the east such a wedg
!. would in effect divide the German army
and in addition would menace the Who'll
f communication system of the enem
: forces in northern France and Belgium
> 1t would have threatened the Belgia
: gateway into France, and it seems certai
that hasty retirement by the enemy t
). the Mouse line must have resulted
?. The battle lines today are relatively 8
f they were in 1915 and the same strateg
, factors hold good. For this reason alor
! many officers have believed that Marshi
= Foch. sooner or later, would strike at IL
: enemy from the Champagne front, al
II when word of the new attack was r
II ceived their first impression was that Il
l. hour for the great allied effort had com
is Later advices, however. indicated tn;
tt the new battle zone was east of the mo
n. level region around Rheims, where it hi
st been anticipated that the road to t
m Belgian border would more probably
r. sought. Apparently Marshal Foch h
If struck first in the region immediate
= II west of Verdun, and until the scene al
~ direction of his attack develops officia
q withhold judgment as to the grand obje
= tives at which the new drive may
us aimed.
- We never repent of having eaten t