Evening journal., 1918-08-03
ADVANCE INCREASES
ENEMY'S DANGER
Left Flank Exposed and He
May Have to Fall Back
to the Aisne
FLANDERS BLOW
NOW PREDICTED


WASHINGTON. Aug. 3.-The collapse
Of the German defensive positions just
north Of the Ourcq forced by the dash
OF American troops In the centre snd
tn brilliant French and British flank
operations which followed, is sweeping
the enemy swiftly back out Of the
Alsne-Marne salient. The rush forward
came so swiftly that II was difficult for
army officers here to appraise the
full extent Of the Victory. As the sit
uation stood, according to reports late
last night, there was strong possibll-
lty that the Germans would be unable
TO hold the Vesle line, toward which
they are Fastening, and would b
driven 20 the heights north OF the
Marne.
Last nights official report from Paris
carried the most startling message from
the battlefield In several days. scissors.
the key OF the German right flank in
the whole Aisne-Marne position, was
again in French hands. At the same
time, the brief announcement that
Thlllols, west OF Rheims. had been
taken. showed that the jaws Of the
great trap created by General Foch at
last had begun 20 close. The hnal re-
suit cannot be foreseen g
The re-entry Of Scissors Is note
worthy. The French were forced out
OF the city, the largest on that sector
OF the front. in the first German assault
on the Chemln-Des-Dames last May.
It's capture by the enemy was a long
stride on the road 10 Paris. stride
that was In fact definitely checked only
when the Germans met American troops
northwest OF Chateu-Thierry weeks
later, and were halted In their tracks
and hurled back. To many officials
here, the little stretch OF line where
the first two American divisions came
into action below the Vlllers-Cotteresis
Forest will mark the German highwster
mark.
OF greater military significance In the
report, however Is the advance OF the
other jaw Of the trap at Thillois This
was taken 10 mean that the French
were pushing in 10 the north and west
OF Rheims. an advance that might well
serve to force the enemy 10 continue
| his hurried withdrawal to the Aisne.
without a chance TO stand along the
Nesle. The left flank OF his line at the
Vesle Is in danger OF being turned be-
fore his forces south OF that river
reach Il.
II the advance OF the French on this
J line continues, Il may we'll become a
race for the Aisne. with the enemy
forced 10 abandon heavy material In a
= desperate attempt to get his forces into
! line beyond the river before they are
g cut on. The picture OF a struggle tS
e the death between the two arTniei
If drawn by General March recently
a being revised sharply.
MI The greatest value seen by many OF
/ flclals in all that has happened sine
< the cOunterblow was launched isa TIA
a precedent OF a victory on the western
Il front haS been established II ha
i been demonstrated already that IN
enemy can be fought offensively. snC
there are many signs that his punish
ment Is Just beginning General Foch
holds the initiative firmly and is mas
ter Of the situation He can choose now
the time and place to nght. for the
enemy Is compelled TO act on the de-
fensive and 10 give ground to save his
forces from annihilation.
General Mafcn mas seen IN tne udl-
tening out Of the Aisne-Marne salient.
while the Germans were able TO hold
the Scissors and Rheims jaws fast.
the vanishing OF a reasonable prospect
OF begging the German armies. Other
officials. however. have had deep
conviction that the Germans would not
escape from that salient without seri-
Gus losses, and last nights develop
ments added 20 the foes uncertainty.
There are renewed possibilities OF
coup OF a decisive character It is be-
/ lleved.
Among many officers there Is a
strong feeling that operations on other
fronts OF the western line are impend-
ing. They believe that blow by the
British TO obliterate the Flanders
salient may come at any moment.
| There have been hints that a great
concentration OF British forces has
been completed, probably. in prepara-
tlon for a decisive battle on the west-
ern front, and 10 observers here the
time now seems TO have come for the
launching OF this assault. They be-
lieve II certain that such a stroke
viii be ordered by General Foch before
the lighting in the Aisne-Marne neid
has been stabilized.