New-York tribune., 1918-07-19

1aaaCS ga OtA IA OURS
Double German Gains,
Which Z ook Six Days
LONDON, July lS.-Thc great coun-
ter attack in which the French and
American troops are participating be-
tween the Aisne and Marine. has sue
ceeded extremely we'll. according to the
latest advces received mere tonight.
and the situation for many reasons is
considered extremely promising.
Owing to the fact that there was
no artillery preparation, the action was
a complete surprise for the Boche, and
the enemy artillery reaction was very
weak. On the other hand, the French
counter battery work was exceedingly
eHectlve. Enemy aviators entered into
the action and attempted to impede the
advance, using their machine guns at a
low altitude
Notwithstanding this, the counter
attack was noteworthy for the reason
that the French offensive accomplished
a great deal mere than was achieved
cy the German drive on both sides Of
Rheims.
Double the German Advance
Inc length of the front over which
an advance was made was practically
the same. and the French and Ameri.
cans, working together, advanced in six
hours virtually double the distance
covered by the Germans in three days.
80 Tar as is known, the junction line
between Soissons and Oulchy- e- Cha
leau, and also the junction line be-
tweea Solssons and Fismes are Under
direct observation and fire from the
new French positions on the Crise
Ravlne, These two lines are the only
ilnes by which the Germans in this
sallent between Sossons and Rheims
can be supplied. 1t is possible, how
ever that the Germans may have sue
ceeded IN connecting up their lines
IN another way
Reuters correspondent at French
headquarters in France suggests that
the complete surprise of the enemy bv
'he franco-American attack was due
partly 70 lack of vigilance, owing to
violent thunderstorms and the rain
and wind which swept the entire coun-
try between the Aisne and Marne dur
ing the night. The German first lines
me correspondent says made weak re-
slStance and many prisoners were
taken IN the frst hour of the attack
Predicts Harder Fighting
me correspondent predicts stiffer
hghtlng Friday when he believes
masses of unused German troops
beyond the Alsne will be brought up
Inc French counter is regarded here
DIS one or the most brilliant pieces of
s, wo.h IN 'he war, and 1t is believed
that the results will prove extremely
valuable, as the French have obtained
most important strategic positions.
In London, the view is held that the
advance has put an end to the Ger
man offensive for the present. and that
hhelms can be considered comnara
lively safe. The French have reached
all their first objectivcs.
South of the Marine much local fight
ing Is reported. The French have lost
some ground, but are still within eff
tectlve range of the German bridges
across the river. though it is possible
they may have lost direct observation
Further to the east. the Allies have
regaIned ground in good many sec
tors, especially in the sector west of
Massiges
Germans Taken by Surprise
The French move this norninr an
Feared to have been a surprise TO the
Germans. The manner m which This
surprise was accomplished may best
b. judged from the map, which shows
d great area of forest coverinr the
ground bellaG the French lines. Under
cover Of this forest, General Foch
had been preparing for some time for
the present move.
All the way from Bolc;.u 20 the
Aisne the F"ench attack Yves launched
at daybreak to-day. 1t was what the
British call full dress show with
every Department. every .veapon avail-
able in play, including the new French
mosquito tanks.
These tanks did excellent work at
some of the most difficult points.
Menace Rail Centres
The French have rearned point
menaclng the most important German
railway centres which feel the entire
front west Of Rheims. The French ar
tillery is now within Easy Shollinc
distance of these railways and should
be able to make life miserable for q
large section of the German army.
Military men attach great importance
t" the lateral railway lines around
SCISSORS and say that if General Foch
can get his artillery into position to
keep these lines out OF action he will
make the movement of the German
supplies IN the whole sector betwe cen
Rheims and Chateau Thierry impos-
sble
French Regain Ground
Advices this afternoon stated that
the Germans had made no further at
tacks east of Rheims and that the
French at various points CT the front
had regained ground.
The French, the reports state, have
rocapturcd Montvoisn, south of the
Marne. at the point where the Germans
had advanced furthest toward Epelnay,
and Chene-l RENE, to the west. and
took, as we'll, the heights west of those
villages, overlooking the Narne.
The Germans are reported to have
made slight progress nolth of St