The sun., 1918-05-29
Foe Crosses Vesle River and
Gains Wide Stretches
Of Territory.
ENTENTE LINE SOLID
French Fall Back to Pre-
pared Positions and
Meet Reserves.
HAIG WINS IN FLANDERS
Counter Attacks Recstablish
Front East Of Dickebusch
Lake.
ENTENTE LINE SOLID
HAIG WINS IN FLANDERS

LONDON, May 2S-The great German
offensive made rapid progress to-day
in the Aisne sector and tonight appar.
emily continues unchecked. To-night
the enemy is across the Vesle River at
two points at least and has gained wide
stretches of territory on either side.
Numerous towns have been taken by
storm. Berlin claims the capture Of
$4,000 prisoners
The French and British armies are
retiring steadily but are giving battle
for every inch Of ground they yield
and are making the foe pay dearly.
Their morale continues good and there
are no evidences Of precipitate retreat
anywhere. How stubbornly they are
| fighting is attested by the German off,
cial reports. which make frequent ref.
erences to points taken by storm.
CrOss Aisne In Great Force.
Following their occupation yester-
day Of the Chemin .des- Danes and
other territory close to the Aisne the
troops OF the German Crown Prince,
advancing in tremendous numbers.
poured across the river over a wide
section. extending from Vailly to Ber-
Bac. while on the eastern end
Of the line they have carried the war
into territory between Berry -au.Bac
and Brimont, which has been quiet
since 1914. Here also they. are gain
| ing.
| Attacks by the French have stopped
! the enemy on the heights Of Neuville-
sur -Margival and Nrechy. northeast Of
Soissons. and at other points dominat-
ing much OF the valley of the Nesle
! The points where the Germans got
across the stream were near Bazoches
| and Fismes.
Berlin claims complete defeat OF
the French" On the other hand, heavy
allied reserves are being brought up be-
| low Fismes and there is every indica-
ton that Gen. Foch appreciates tho
| gravity Of the situation. although refus.
ing to be stampeded into Withdrawing
too many troops from other sectors, to
| which it Is possible the offensive may be
shifted.
2OO,OOO shock Troops lsed,
Some estimates place the number of
shock troops being used by the Crown
Prince as high as twenty divisions,
or about 2OO.O picked men. while mil.
itary experts admit that 1t is practically
Impossible to tell the total force avail.
able In this area. The towns captured
10 date include Pinon. Chavisnon. Cor
tecon. Cerny. Winterbert. Craonne,
Louvre. Cauroy. Nailly. Bapigneul. Bril-
mont ana other places, Between Baps.
neul and Brmont the Allies were thrown
back across the Aisne- Marne Canal.
Fismes is a centre OF important com.
munications and the effect Of tho arriy.
ing Allied reserves is being felt there
| according to French correspondent.
Apparently Gen. Foch's troops are pre-
pared TO make strong stand at that
point.
The Flanders hgh,ing has turned in
iaNor or the Allies Field Marshal Haix
reported tonight that counter attacks
oy rrehch and British troops had re-
established the line east Of Dickehusch
Lake. where ground was lost yesterday.
Al many other points there has been
severe cinnonading. Raids nave been
frequent and there have been some pa.
trol encounters OF considerable magn,-
tude. American troops have borne n
gallant part in much OF the fighting.
;; Retire In Perfect Order,
Telegraphng from French headauar.
ters. an Associated Press correspondent
! says that as was foresecn the Entente
troops were compelled to cede ground