Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-07-16

ed the rench meet the
shock of the German at
tack in the sector of Prunay and at
Marauises Farm, east Of Rheims.
The Americans went into the bat.
tie as reinforcement when the
weight of the German attack bent
back the French lines slightly. A
counter attack " The Americans
helped to stabalize the situation.
Desperate fighting has continued
there
The southern bank of the Marne,
between Fossey and Jaulgonne has
been cleared of Germans. The re-
sistance of the German elements
holding the railway embankment and
yards on the southern side OF the
stream was broken with arplanes
and artillery. destroying the German
bridges.
The American attacks continued
all night Many Germans were kill
ed and more than 1900 prisoners.
many machine guns and trench NOR.
tars were captured
The War in Summary.
The titanic battle, which burst
forth with volcanic fury on the
fifty miles Marine Champagne front,
with the opening Of the fifth Ger
man offensive. was still raging to.
day. The violence of the combat
has died down at some points. but
where the infantry forces were not
fighting, terrific artillery duels
were rocking earth and sky.
The allied lines are holding at all
points.
The Americans, by a series Of
counter assaults, savageiy executed
south Of the Marne, have hurled the
Germans back across TO the north.
ern bank Of the stream. occupying
ali of their old positions, according
to an unofficial report received to.
day.
Appalling losses mark the first
day Of the new German drive.
Thirty-tiVe German divisions were
massed on the Marine river between
Chateau Thierry and Dormans, fac.
ing the Americans. Thirty OF the
German divisions on this and other
parts of the wide battle were iden-
titled as parts of the reserve army
Of Grown Prince Ruprecht, Of Ba
Varia, the German commander on
the front.
This indicated that the present
offensive was expected to be the
supreme German effort and that the
other parts Of the western front
had been drained Of all available
men to give the latest German
thrust utmost momentum.
Ends in Fiasco.
London, July l6-The German
drive was completely shattered east
Of Rheims. telegraphed the Reuter-
correspondent at French field head
quarters.
The enemy planned twelve mile
advance ON the first day. German
losses along the Marine were appall-
ing. "aa-3
Yanks on Eight-MiIe Line.
London. July lG. American troops
are engaged with the Germans over
an eightmile front between VauX
and Ehezy and near La Chanpelle
and the Marne front according to
information secured by the nterna'
tioual News Service This afternoon
The entire German offensive has
been checked II was stated.
The news at midday vas that the
Germans were evidently bringing up
| their artillery.
The Germans have been unable to
penetrate battle positions anywhere.
The next two days shall show
whether or not the Germans viii!
abandon their latest offensive.
A third of Prince Ruprechts re.
serves have been Withdrawn from the
/ Amieus sector and the divisions have
been Identified
Take Many Prisoners.
Paris, july IL After burst OF
lighting late Monday, which vas
marked by extreme violence the in
lensity of the struggle on the Cham
pagne front slowed down, according to
a statement issued by the French war
once today
South of the Narnc lhe Germans
were unable to advance their lines be-
Continued on page 3, col, a.