The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-16

Thierry eastward beypnd Rheims, ap-
pears to be a supreme effort to break
thru and defeat as large a portion of
the French army as possible, without
any definite geographical objective.
This was the majority opinion OF ex-
pert military men today. altho some
authorities maintained that the drive
was an effort to use up French re-
serves from the north, preparatory to
renewal of the attack on Amiens. Still
other critics saw in the drive an effor:
to widen the base for future attacks
on Paris, with reduction of the Rheims
salient and capture of that city as a
part of this plan.
Foch Ready for Anything.
Ali are agreed that General Foch
has his plans completely laid out for
meeting any move the Germans may
make.
The morning papers are decidedly
optimistic and express satisfaction
with the result so far. They are puz-
zIed, however. as to whether yester-
days battle was the main attack. So
far as has been learned, no British
have yet participated.
1t is estimated that between fifty
and sixty German divisions (between
SOC, 900 and 10000 men) took part in
the assault.
Where Gains Were Made.
The Germans. it was learned from
an authoritative source, advanced
three miles on a four mile front be-
tween Belval and Pourcy. Between
Fossoy and Jaulgonne, the enemy ad-
vanced a mile beyond the Marine
(This is where the Americans drove
them back across the river. Fossoy is
four miles due east of Chateau Tnierry
and Jaulgonne is the same distance
northeast of Fossoy). Between Bligny
and Troissy, the enemy penetrated
slightly more than a mile. (Troissy is
on the south bank of the Marine, two
miles northeast of Dormans, while
Bligny is twelve miles northeast of
Troissy, in the direction of Rheims
This would indicate that the Germans
succeeded in progressing on a sixteen
mile front between Chateau Thierry
and Rheims, separated into two sec
Marine between ,Jaulgonne and rDor-
mans. The greatest operation, OBJ
Viously, was about midway between
Dormans and Rheims.
1t is believed the Germans pene-
trated the village of Prunay (seven
miles southeast of Rheims), and also
advanced mile and a half in the
direction of Prosnes and Souain, but
were driven back by counter attacks
(Prosnes is twelve miles east and
south of Rheims. Souain is eleven
miles directly east of Prosnes. The
IdttST NlIdBe Is DelleVeQ TO be on the
left flank of the American unit fight
ing east of Rheims.
Gains Relatively InconsiderabIe.
Compared with their initial successe:
n previous efforts, the German pres,
| ent achievements are relatively in.
| considerable, the Daily News declared
| IF this is the major attack, it ].
reasonable to believe it is parried.'
The Times believes the drive Il
| preparatory to an advance on Pari
and is confident Rheims will be able Il
hold out.
Praise American Counter Attack.
THE most encouraging feature O
today's fighting was the American
counter attack" the Sketch declared
Andrew Bonar Law, chancellor O
the exchequer. speaking in the hous,
OF commons last night, said:
| South Of the Marine, the American n;
IN brilliant counter attack took {
| thousand prisoners.
| East of Rheims the enemy ha.
been completely checked with sewers
| losses.
| West of Rheims the Germans or
front of thirty-five kiIometer.
fnearly % miles) penetrated an aver.
age depth of four to five kilometer,
| from two and a half to three rniIes) :