New-York tribune., 1918-07-19

ME announcement that French
and American troops have taken
the offensive on a wide front be-
tween the Aisne and the Marne is not
merely the most interesting news that
has yet come from the latest battlefield,
but it is the most encouraging word
that has come from any Western con-
fict in the present year. What it means
beyond all else is that the first phase
Of the German offensive has proved
failure and that General Foch, assured
Of the security of his main front. has
been able to launch counter thrust
designed to relieve the one imperilled
position--the Rheims salient. Hitherto,
in the three great German attacks-tow-
ard Amiens, south of Ypres and on the
Aisne-Allied reserves have been con-
sumed in saving situation gravely inn
perilled by complete break in their
fronts. To-day, the first kne troops
having performed their mission and held
up the German attack, the reserves have
been able to make counter offensive at
chosen moment against wearied and
dispirited German forces
1t IS we'll not to eXaggerate the proba-
blllties of this latest development. It is
designed, manifestly, by exerting press
ure upon the western flank Of the Ger
mans operating against the Rheims sa-
lent, to compel them to give over their
attack. 1t is entirely analogous to the
thrust Of Mangn on the western flank Of
the Germans in the recent battle for
Compiegne. Mangin's thrust did not
force the Germans to abandon their re-
cent gains, but it did compel them to
abandon further effort to advance.
In the same fashion this new thrust Of
Foch may have no further result than to
save the Rheims salient. But, on the
other hand, as the news flows in it be
comes clear that the French and the
Americans have made a substantial
breach in the first line of the German de,
fences between the Aisne and the Marne
and are advancing upon those lines of
communication essential to the safety of
the German troops who have passed the
Marine and those other German troops
which are operating astride the Marne.
seeking to reach Epernay and break
down the Rheims salient. In fact. the
French and the Americans are TODAY
making the same kind of attack upon
the Germans in the German salient be-
tween scissors and Rheims that the Ger
mans were yesterday making upon the
French in the French salient between
Dormans and Silery.
AS it now stands, on the fourth dav Of
this the fifth German offensive, the force
OF the German effort has been completely
checked east of Rheims, with no material
gains of Importance. 1t has been sub
stantlally checked at points between
Rheims and Chateau Thierry. except in
narrow area on either side of the
Marne, and even here the lines are tend
ing to stabilize themselves. Thus the
full fury of the German blow in those
days IN which great gains must be made.
If they are to be made. has worn itself
out without piercing the French line.
without producing any collapse and with
out harvesting any larger fruits than
those included in what on Wednesday
was real menace to the Rheims salient
On Wednesday Germans were advanc-
ing on either bank Of the Marne toward
Epernay, with the hope of compelling
the French to evacuate all the high
ground of the Mountain of Rheims and
the vantage points which threatened the
German flank and rear in any later drive
toward Paris. Now, in exactly the same
way, French and Americans are ad
vanclng between the Marne and the
Aisne, seeking to envelop all the German
forces fighting south of the line between
scissors and Rheims.
Were it conceivable that the Franco
American attack could have the same
success that attended the German attack
upon the Aisne two months ago. or in
Flanders in April, then we should see
real German disaster, a considerable
Sedan. and the capture of large numbers