Evening star., 1918-07-16
LONDON AND PARIS
PRESS LAUDS WAY
! us. MEN FIGHT
House of Commons Cheers
i. Report of ZOO Prisoners
/ Taken by Americans.
REJOICE OVER OUTCOME
Of FIRST DAY OF BATTLE
Experts Undecided Whether Drive
Represents Main German O6ens.
i've or Il Merely Feint.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, July 16.-The brilliant
contribution Of American troops to the
allied defense at Fossoy figures con-
spicuously in the battle reports under
big heads, and is made the subject Of
special mention in the editorial col
umns of the morning papers.
Splendid men," is the description
contained in the Times, while another
paper calls the American defense "the
most encouraging feature Of the days
nghting."
Newspaper comment thus far u
somewhat restrained. pending .
clearer Indication of the enemy's i'm
mediate intention. But the tenor of
an editorials is hopeful. Mono Of the
commentators expresses q nnal opin-
ion as to whether the allies are facing
Q main attack.
Beginning Of Supreme Effort.
In some quarters tho weight of the
German blow Is regarded as made
quate for an adventure on which 20
much depends. and. consequently, IT Is
assumed in these quarters that the
blow may be feint or partial opera
tion leading to something bigger. The
Times, among others. looks for FUR
ther developments elsewhere, al
though It believes that this unques-
tionably is the outset of Germany's
supreme effort Of the present cam
paigning season.
The Times concurs with the opinion
of its correspondent at the front that
the principal field of attack is to the
west of Rheims. with the view OF an
advance toward Paris.
1t is regarded here as being too
early to pronounce any opinion on the
great battle east and west OF Rhelms,
but the fact that the Germans this
time have not been able to repeat pre-
vious successes or make any substan-
tial advance has been received with
undisguised relief.
This was echoed in the hearty cheers
which greeted Chancellor Bonar Laws
announcement in the house OF COM
mons late last evening-cheers which
sounded with equal fervor for the
American success as for the tenacity
of the French and Italian resistance
and in appreciation Of Gen. Foch.s en-
couraging words that he was well sat
fsfied with the results of the frst day.
Sir Walter Runciman's remarks that
the house would wish to congratulate
not only the French, but the Amert-
cans, also was Endorsed by an out
burst of applause.
Attack May Be Switched.
As far as is known here nothing de-
veloped late yesterday to show more
clearly than in the earlier hours
whether the enemy's extensive and
carefully prepared attack is his main
blow. Commentators recall that 1t
has been a German habit In the past
to strike in one direction and to allow
q big battle to develop and then sud
denly switch OF to some other point,
enables him to carry out with re-
markable rapfdity. 49,
1t is suggested that the present as
sault may be diversion to draw
the allied reserves from the Flanders
front to prepare the way for q Ger.
man attack in that region.
Whatever is the aim of the present
stroke, 1t Is held that the enemys
final objective. II dictated by purely
military considerations must be to
separate the French and British
armies and to drive the British back
on the coast. Failing success in this
direction, his second choice must be
to reach Paris or q line 80 near as to
bring the French capital within range
of his heavy artillery: Ii: 80:
The result of Mondays attack. as
far as information. hers enables tudg-
nearer either objective.
Praise for o. 8. Troops.
LONDON, July. 1k-Andrew Bonar
Law. chancellor Of the excheauer, an
nounced in tho house Of commons to-,
night that the Americans had cap
tured q thousand or more prisonerg
south Of the Marne after having
driven back the enemy. 49, -
communication to the house:
The enemy attacked early this
morning on q front Of ninety kilo-'
meters, pretty evenly divided east
and west Of Rheims. The city itself
West Of Rheims the Germans PEN
etrated on front Of thirty-six Kill
ometers (22.37 miles) to an average
depth Of from four to Ave kilometers.
eonnter sstaeH e the Ameyiean ey troops
drove the enemy back and took q
thousand or more prisoners.
East Of Rheims the enemy has
been heavily repuised and has suf-.
fered a complete check"
Before reading the communication
Mr.. Bonar Law said It had reached
him from the front shortly before II
o'clock.
to what am going to read. that the
prime minister has been in telephonic
communication with headquarters, and
the report given to him as coming
from Gen. Foch is that he is well sat-
isfied with the results Of today's Tight
ing"
Bad Start for Huns.
PARIS. July 1s.-That the Germans
failed at the start is the common visw
Of all French military critics, and
even the most cautious are unable to
conceal their satisfaction over the re-
suits Of Mondays fighting.
TT would be silly" says Col De
Ihomasson: "tc prophecy after one
say that the beginning was altogether
encouraging for us. Nowhere have
the Germans made any particular ad-
vance.
East of Rheims they lost heavily
and made practically no progress.
Marine, but we hold this bridgehead
and mean to defend II from the left
bank. They, however. soon lost the
few miles gained south Of the river
There. beside our men, were Amer
loan regiments who bore themselves
% that German nswspapermen can
hardly continue the usual tWaddle
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