Evening star., 1918-07-15
The Evening Star New.paper Company
Germany Renews the Attack.

Germany Renews the Attack.
Germans again are applying the fire
test to the allied armies on the west
ern front. Once again after rest, re-
organization and concentration the
armies Of the kaiser have moved for
ward, employing all the ingenious de-
vices Of warfare they have at their
command. French and American ar
mics operating near Chateau Thierry
from Rheims to Massiges near tho Ar
gonne are being subjected to furious
artillery fire and determined infantry
attacks. The assault in intensity re-
sembles that delivered by the Ger
mans when they ushered in their
spring drives for Amiens and the chan
mel ports in Flanders. Soldiers are
fighting In gas clouds in masks and the
air Is filed with projectiles. shrapnel
and machine gun bullets. So great were
the preliminary bombardments Of al
lied positions last night that Paris wit
messed the lighted heavens. There can
b no questioning the German purpose
or the hopes which inspire the Teutons
10 concentrated endeavor.
Having dismaHy failed to capture
Rheims last month by, concerted at
tacks on three sides Of the famous old
city, It was then expected that the next
German effort would be directed be-
tween this city and the Argonne, with
the hope Of pressing southwark to
Chalons sur Marne, thereby placing
Rheims at the point Of salient which
would be extremely dangerous for the
allies to attempt to hold. The CHASTITY
German casualties in the assaults on
Rheims were sufficient to cause the
German command to consider new tao
tics to bring about the fall Of tho city.
Should the Germans succeed in their
present main effort, which presumably
is between Rheims and the Argonae,
and should they reach Chalons sur
Marne, it is undeniable that they would
have struck the allies q serious blow,
for the Germans soon might claim the
whole northern bank Of the Marine and
the numerous communication routes
centering at Chalons sur Marine. The
operation in itself would not for tho
moment particularly affect the situa-
ton at Verdun, farther east, but that
il would encourage the Germans to try
to take Verdun is likely.
For the moment, therefore, It must
be assumed that the Germans are en-
deayoring to spread their influence
over the whole of that territory skirt
ing along the Marine from Chateau
Thierry to Chalons sur Marine, from
which region, should they be success
full, they might usher in their final
drive for Paris with greater freedom
of action.
While the French arc busily engaged
with the Germans from Rheims to the
Argonne the Americans are battling
fercely against renewed German at
tacks in tho region Of Chateau Thierry,
more particularly about Vaux. The
same intensity that marks the fighting
in other sections prevails on this front.
The Americans have proved themselves
thorns in the side Of the Germans in
this region and American endeavor has
frustrated German purpose in reach
ing out for Paris. In addition to scor-
ing victory which shall improve their
general tactical and strategical posi-
tion, undoubtedly the Germans are en-
deavoring to punish the Americans for
their efrontery in inflicting singing
defeats on Teutonic arms in recent &C.
tions.
Both Americans and French are bat
ding with their customary gallantry
and ferceness. It Is too early to say
that the Germans will not make gains.
Attacks delivered with the intensity
marking the present German endeavor,
by all the laws Of warfare, should net
some terrain. Il the Americans and
French halt the enemy with insignifi-
can't successes they viii have scored q
victory which shall, in view Of Teu-
tonic purpose, count much In bring
ing about the final decision In favor Of
allied arms.