The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-06
CROWN PRINCE is.
REC0NSTRUCTINC
SHATTERED ARMY
Is Filling the Gaps With the
Glass of 1919.
Some of His Divisions Have
Suffered Heavy Losses.
CANNOT HOLD The VESLE Line
Position Is Shallow and Swept
by Artillery.
Americans BOmbarded With
Many Kinds of Gas.
CANNOT HOLD The VESLE LINE
(By the Associated Press)

Win the + al III
Aug. 6.-The German crown prince is
now engaged in reconstructing his
shattered divisions behind the lines
with the aid of the remainder of the
1919 recruits, in the opinion of Cen |
eraI Mangin, whose army played such
a brilliant part in forcing the German
retreat from the Marine. Some Of the
German divisions which took part in
this battle had their company strength
reduced to less than fifty men, some
of the companies being still further
depleted in numbers. In addition
some of the best divisions of Crown
Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria were
used IN the battle, having been loaned
the crown prince from the armies fur
ther north
German Resistance Continues.
Paris, Aug. German resistance
north of the Vesle is being continued,
the enemy rear guard standing deter
minedly along the heights command
ing the river crossings where the
French light elements which have
passed beyond the river are encoun-
tering them. says the Havas Agen-
cy's review of the battle front situa-
ton today. Military critics generally
agree that the Germans will not be
able to remain long between the Vesle
and the Aisne.
Present Position Untenable.
ne herman pOSlllOn between the
two rivers" says LeJournal, lis shall
low and swept by the French artillery
along the entire front and at some
points on the flanks. Its commune
cations are unsafe and it will be dan
gerous for the Germans to make their
stand below the Aisne instead of 60
iTSs behind that river. The result
would probably be enormous losses for
the enemy"
The Echo de Paris, lays stress upon
the various signs observable of the
strategical retreat which the German
high command may have in contem-
plation at various points where the
French are attacking. 1t believes the
enemy is preparing a relief offensive''
to be launched shortly.
The Matin points to the unanimity
among the allies and pays tribute to
the bold strategy and the high quail
ties which General Foch has evinced,
notably his keen foresight. This news
paper reports that Premier Clemen-
ceau conferred several hours with
General Foch yesterday at head
quarters.
ShelIed Americans.
CEy the Associated Press)
With the American Army on the
Vesle, Aug s (S a. m. 1.-The Germans
along the line opposite the Americans
west of Fismes used their guns freely
yesterday afternoon in an apparent at
tempt to discourage the Americans
and their French allies from further
aggressive efforts.
The Germans were handicapped in
this effort by the weather conditions
1t was misty and at times rainy, and
altho German balloons were up. they
must have been unable to report ac-
curately. About mid-afternoon the
Germans began trying other methods
to get the range for their heavy guns.
Many shells which threw out black
smoke upon exploding, were hurled
toward crossroads and other objec-
tives to gauge the range from the
smoke clouds But the mist likewise
hampered accuracy in observation on
these shells and after wasting num-
bers of them the attempt was aban-
doned.
Used Gas on Yanks
Late in the afternoon the Germans
began using mustard gas, sneeze gas
and some chocolate gas-so named
from the odor. These gas attacks
were Ineffective, the American gas
drills having taught the troops all the
German tricks. Nevertheless the Ger
mans were persistent. They combed
the hills bordering the Vesle with gas
shells, endeavoring to reach the roads
leading to Fismes and other points
where they thought the allies might
be assembling for crossing of the
Vesle. At some places along the high
ways the Germans would start plant
ing shell in a zigzag line for mile or
so and back again, often dropping
them every twenty or thirty feet and
4 then repeating the process along the
objective for which they were aim
ing.
South of Bazoches, where the Ger
mans tried this trick, they fired a
lighter gas first, following it up with
sneeze gas and then suddenly switch
ing to a more powerful poison gas,
hoping to catch the allies mapping.
The men, however, have learned to
discern the various varieties of shells
and have regular systems of sending
word along the line for their protec-
ton. Today likewise there happened
to be a south wind which carried the
gas back across the Vesle and after
putting on their masks for each at
tack, the Americans would laugh as
the gas was blown back.
Allies Reply ForcefuIly.
Meanwhile the American and
French heavy guns to the south we're
sending in repeated salvos ana the
Germans were supplementing their
gas Smelling with mine throwors and
machine guns north of the 'Vesle
These smaller weapons were kept
working full time in the hope of keep
ing clear the south banks of the river
Darkness came and with it more rain
The Germans kept pounding away
after dark. but for every she'll the
enemy sent in the Americans sent
across a half dozen or more and never
said goodnight.