Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-06-10
GEN. FOCH IN STRIKING DISTANCE
IN N UROEROUS POSITION
Berlin 20 Withhold Full Report "a
Hours; Meantime Claims
Big Victory.
ITALY AWAITS AUSTRIANs

Comparatively slow progress attended
by losses described as enormous. i
being made BY the Germans in their
latest efforts 10 break the allied front II
France The advance against N" line
from NOyoE 70 the eastern suburbs oT
M0ntdidier coming quickly after The
force of the offensive on the Aisne had
been spent has encountered stern re-
sistance and il Is only over a cOmpar q
lively short section Of the line that he
enemy has made appreciate airs.
The deepest penetration reported %
far is two and three-quarters miles.
Gen. Foch in Battle Area.
II has been believed since thu drive
toward Amiens stopped that General
Foch had the greater bulk Of his reserves
in or near the area that Is now being
attacked. Not only are these troops
within striking distance Of the front, but
there are natural obstacles which also
initiate against the entire success Of the
German assault The high mills which
are now the scene Of heavy fighting are
but Outposts Of the positions which are
prepared along the Disc River. which
blsects the field upon which the battle
viii be fought If the first lines Of defence
are overwhelmed.
Trying Pincer System on Allies.
The present assault on the line east
of Montdlcier may be considered as 2
complement Of the offensive along the
Aisne and when the map is studied. 1t
viii be seen that the 'pincer" system
followed by Mackensen in Russia. Serbia
and Rumania Is again at work. If the
thrust just west Of NOyon succeeds IN
gaining extensive ground II viii approach
the line from SCISSORS TO Chateau
Thierry and retirement from the posi-
lions taken up by the Allies there would
be forced.
On The other hand if the drive gains
ground further west X viii Outtiank the
positions held by the French ana Amer
cans AT MontdldIer and compel their
adjustment. with the resultant IN
covering Of armies.
WINGS HOLDING SECURELY.
The wings, however, seem 70 b
holding hrmly and the only gains so far
made nave been in almost the center ot
the line. where hey are least harmful ia
the security OF the fronts on either SIDE
Of the new battle area.
According TO advlces from the front
he Germans have thrown more rhaI
100000 men against the line, which
measures "a little over twenty miles B.
, length Tins does not equal the number'
hurled against he British before Cam
brai on March p, nor is II such co.'s
centrati0n Of men 20 the mile as was Use.
at the inception Of the German offensive !.
Flanders ia April. but il IS a menaciu.
: force 30 which NAV Ue added AZ any Tim
the full weight 0f he German reserve
VI ich are believed 10 ne maSSed some
where near
Y American and French troops operating
+ northwest oil Chateau Thierry repulso
n German attacks last night and made mes
+ progress
BRrI>H REPULsE EcE.
German lattenpj Ia assault Inc Britisl
positions at Nyeluy wood north @
Z Alberg. VAS rcpulscd while British rsp
near BethuEc. northwest of Lens, Ra
Successful
: ON the rest OF me front there has tee
y no fighting Of a significant nature.
Associated Press Summary Issued a
4 p. m.
a Berlin, full report on he 6rst day
Il hghtng will be DELAYED - hours, aS
customary lis latest statement mention
: the capture of the heights Of Gury. u
: nedlately behind the FIRST French ln
q and north OF Mareml
IS TURNING TOWARD PARIS AGAIN.
The Germans, in attempting % pus
/, back the Allied line between Moutdidie
e and Novon. face not only strong natur;
J. obstacles in the form Of large forests o
d high elevations but also a determine
4 French resistance Evidently the German
+ Continued on page o