The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-08-02
(Wednesday.)


Whether as a. result OF weariness
after two weeks of incessant fighting
or because of the greatly increased
strength in manpower and positions
of the enemy forces before them, the
allied armies on the Soissons-
Rheims front have noticeably de-
creased their efforts to clear the sa-
1ient of, Germans.
If the pause in the offensive is at
fributable to WEAKNESS, the armies
of the German crown prince also
must be worn out by the pressure
they have been under for the fort
night. for, notwithstanding the fact
that huge reinforcemeuts were sent
to them in their hour of dire peril,
they have lacked the hardness to en-
deavor to throw back their antagon-
lists and recoup their losses.
The 14th day of the great allied
offensive which has resulted in driv-
ing back the Germans from the
Marne region northward across the
Ou.cq river and in materially bend
ing in the eastern and western side
of the great pocket with it's mouth
running cross country Sc miles from
scissors to Rheims saw little activi-
ty on the part Of either Of the con-
tending forces-except in the ma
ture of reciprocal bombardments.
: Violent Attacks by Germans.
Tuesday night witnessed violent
attempts by the Germans to expel the
Americans and French from the val
liable positions they hold north of
the Ourcq in the region of Fere-En-
Tardenois and along the western side
of the salient near Oulchy lie Cha
teau, where Scottish troops are hold
ing with the French the wedge that
has been driven eastward into the
enemy line. These efforts were en-
tirely frutless.
A watchfuI eve is being kept by
the Germans on the America stand
ing at the apex of the battle line
near -Tardenois, and the
enemy guns are showerng their po-
sitions with great quantities of high
explosives and gas shells. The enc
my also continues jealously to guard
with huge effectives the extreme
eastern and western fianks OF the sa-
1ient to ward off possible surprise at,
facks.
Four Thousand Prisoners.
The latest Berlin official commun>
ication asserts that more than 1000
prisoners have been taken by the
Germans in the past few days and
that since July Is, in excess OF "a
600 allied troops have been captur-
ed.
Whether the Germans have chosen
the spot where ultimately they will
face about and give battle to the al
lied forces has not yet become ap-
parent, Likewise whether their re-
treat finally has ended is not known.
Great fires behind the lines possibly
might indicate the destruction OF
further Villages which it is intended
to evacuate and press on northward
to chosen battle line.
With the approach OF the com
mencement of the fifth year of the
war the German emperor evidently
realizes the seriousness of the situa-
fion. In proclamation to his army
and navy he tells his men they are
<AShting the hardest struggle of the
war. but they will be able to fol.
"the desperate efforts of the enemy"
y What may result in aggravating
the already serious situation be-
tween Germans and the Ukrainians
Is the assassination Of Field Marshal
Won Eichhorn, the German dictator
in the Urkaine, and his adjutant.
They were killed by the explosion of
a bomb thrown by native in Kiev.
(TueSday)