The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-17

Chapelle- Mon thodon. which Is eight
miles east OF their former position. It
Is apparent here that the number OF
Americans has been greatly increased
since the battle started.
Gen. Pershins's dispatches SO far have
made no mention OF the number OF Amer
leans engaged nor OF their losses. Fol-
lowing the receipt OF the early des-
patches to-day the War Department Is
sued this statement
"Despat ches received from Gen. Per-
shing and Gen. Bliss confirm the press
accounts Of yesterdays fighting. Amer
lean troops west Of Surmelin counter at
tackled. captured prisoners, established
and are holding their advanced posi-
tons Germanye barrage was met by
counter barrage which in many places
prevented the advance of their infantry.
Full reports covering the entire fronts
are of course not yet available. The
general situation this morning Is re-
garded az satisfactory.
THE first day in such a battle Is OF
course merely general advance guard
action. The great pressure of reserves
and concentrated masses is still to be
looked for"
situation Is Satisfactory.
that the reports continued to give en-
couragement. The penetrations. he said
seemed TO be only at one point OF the
line. II regard the general situation as
satisfa ctory," he remarked. but II is
impossible to state results generally
until we have received definite infor-
nation, which we should have by to-
morrow"
The theory entertained at the War
Department covering the whole offen'
sive was that the German high COM
mand began their operations in front
Of sixty-tive miles not so much with
the idea of continuing their main drive
along the whole line but with a view OF
finding somewhere a soft spot through
which they could push. This IL was
emphasized was the plan In their first
offensive The Germans succeeded In
developing a soft spot by the second day,
To-days reports indicate that tn,
Germans may believe they have devel-
oped @ soft spot in the region extending
south OF the Marine for come distance
and then northeast toward Rheims II
they follow their usual tactics, according
to General Staff officers. they will keep
up some attack along most OF the sixty
five mile front but will throw theii
heaviest reserves into this region.
Counter Attacks show strength.
Although some penetration has been
made south OF the river. great encour-
aFement was found at the War Depart
ment tonight in the reports indicating
that In this area during the day the
French and Americans had launched a
vigorous enough counter attack to re-
capture places taken yesterday by the
Germans These places are from two
to four miles south Of the Marine.
With new forces o. Americans thrown
into the struggle tomorrow It is be
leved will tell the story rs to whether
the Germans have spent themselves ir
this area. where they have had tbs
greatest initial success, or can throw
fresh forces enough across the river &c
keep their drive from coming TO a
standstill. with the danger of beint
thrown back across the river.
While aimed at Paris. the Cresen
drive is still believed to have for IL
immediate objective the withdrawal ot
the Allies from Rheims through a flank
ing movement aimed at the railroads
and other lines OF communication in this
salient.