Evening journal., 1918-07-16
DUAL BLOW DEALT
TO FOE By Yankees
German Plan TO Boast of
Victory Over Yankee
Troops Shattered
WASHINGTON
is SATISFIED

]
manded by Major General Hunter Lig
gett, which have been holding part
OF the Marne front, have met the i'm
pact OF the Germans at the very gate
way TO Paris, and have held their
ground, according TO the latest reports.
This encouraging news reached here
last night after a day OF great anxiety
caused by the early report showing
That the Germans were driving against
part OF the front held by our troops ct
the nearest point to the French capital
Late last night the War Department
was eagerly awaiting official dispatches
from General Pershlng, which were ex-
pected mOmentarIly. Based on the re
ports which had been lltering through
during the day from the fighting zone,
the American forces, engaged in large
numbers for the first time In with
standing a major offensive, have in de
Tending their positions made name
for themselves that will go down In
history
So far as is indicated. at no place was
there a retirement, though Immediately
beyond the American position the Ger
mans have succeeded in crossing the
Marne. The news that the Americans
behaved in a manner to merit the>com-
mendation Of the French commander
has brought feeling OF great satisfac-
ton to General March and other Off
GERS OF The General staff. though It is
realized that there have been undoubt-
edly heavy casualties.
The news brought a tenseness here
unequalled since the war began and
rlyeted attention OF all officials from
the President down for the time being
upon the American forces known 10 be
engaged on the sector extending either
side Of Chateau-ThieTy This point is
only forty-two miles from Paris as the
crow flies. Late in the afternoon Presi-
dent Wilson, to whom the early report
OF the resumption Of the great drive
had been carried, went TO the office Of
Secretary Baker, where he remained
fOrty-flve minutes.
While no official reports had at that
time been received it is understood that
the President had explained to him by
Secretary Baker the disposition Of the
American forces and the Identity Of the
troops probably engaged In one Of the
greatest battles Of the entire war.
Looking at the battle front OF TO-
day as a whole, the military experts
here see an attempt OF the Germans TO
straighten out one side OF the wedge
whose head points toward Paris at
Chateau-Thlerry, with their immediate
objective the wiping out OF the Rheims
salient An advance OF the Germans
here would seriously threaten the rail-
road trunk line running through Chal-
Ons-sur-M -Marne and also many import
ant supply depots. While the Germans
have crossed the Marne at several
places below DOrmans. It is believed
here that General FOch, commander
in-chief Of the Allied armies, has suf-
ilcient reserves TO stop them before the
line about Rheims is in any consider
able danger from a flanklng movement.
Little reason is seen here for the at
tack on the American positions north
west OF Chateau-Thierry beyond that
Of making a feint or possibly trying
out the metal OF the Americans in a
general assault. II has been the expec-
tation that part Of the new drive would
be directed against the Americans il
for no other purpose than to provide
the German people with something to
Offset the news Of the arrival in France
OF one million Of our troops. But In
withstandng the German assault YES
terday, the Americans appear to have
given such an account OF themselves
as to add new meaning to the Germans
in Secretary Bakers announcement.
Some Of the flercest I hitting for the
Americans occurred west Of Chateau
Thierry near VauX. This town was
captured brilliantly by the American
troops on July 1. The troops which at
last reports were holding this part OF
the line were the Second Division Of the
First Corps. made up OF the Ninth and
Regular Infantry.
The Twelfth, Fifteenth and Seven
teenth Regular Field Artillery and the
Fifth and Sixth Regiments OF Marines.
These troops are believed TO have been
placed from NauX to and around Cha
teau-Thlerry. 10 is regarded as possible
that in addition to the regulars and
some Of the National Guard
troops In this corps were engaged. The
National Guard troops in this division
are the Twenty-slxth Division Of New
Englanders, the Rainbow Division
which would include the old Sixty
ninth New York and the Thirty-thlrd
or Sunset Division. These troops and
The regulars last May were moved I'D
from the Lorraine front TO positions
near today's battle zone.
The War Department recently per
nltted it to be revealed that the Ameri-
IAN sector attacked as the extreme
western end Of the new Offensive was
he longest line yet held. by our troops.
u extends eight miles from Vaux 10
he Marne and along the river to Brus-
'ieres This is the line which the Ger
mans were unable to break through
Yesterdays location Of the resumed
offensive did not come as a great sur
rise to military men here. It was pre-
licted several weeks ago based on the
opinion Of armS men here that the
theims' sector would be selected by the
iermans. Germany's main objective IS
0 reach Paris or get near enough to
nut Il under bombardment and II pos
ible destroy the munitlon works OF
which 10 Is the center. Great interest
vas taken here in the use by the Ger
mans Of long range naval guns. which
nay account for the delay I'm resum-
1g the offensive. These guns were
sed to shell places at some distance
ehind the front and interfere with The
ringing forward of troops and sus-