Arizona republican., 1918-07-23
.H|CH COMMAND FIGHTING HARD
 TO HOLD OPEN
 SALIENT BASE
Makes Desperate Effort to
 Maintain Position Be tween Reims and SoissOns.
 Take 10000 Prisoners
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1

WASHINGTON, July 22-The Ger man high command apparently is mak- ing desperate efforts to hold open the base of the salient between Soissons and Reims until troops far down the center of the great pocket toward the Marne can be withdrawn. With French and American troops hammering away from the west and French, British and Italian forces battering at the east flank of the German position, it was still far from certain tonight that the enemy would be able to get nis forces out of the southern end of the salient without terrific losses.
 Take Many Guns and Men
 Already great humbers of prisoners and guns have been taken by the Amer ican and allied forces. The only esti- mate from official sources covering the aggregate captures by French. Ameri- can and Italian troops during the first two days of the counter offensive gave 20,o00 as the probable total. There are indications that the number captured on Sunday might be greater although enemy withdrawals from the Marne and Chateau Thierry sectors probably accounted in some part for the swift ness of the advances made during that day.
 The situation on the Hanks of the salient was not so clear tonight.
 Tries to Hold Railway
 Apparently the enemy is fighting hard to hold his position around Oul- chy-le Chateau, where a railway line from Fishes, probably his chief ad- vance base and located at the approxi- mate center of the base line of the salient between Soissons and Reims, has permitted him to assemble consid- erable forces to resist the Franco American advance. Should the counter attack succeed in forcing this position o- in breaking through either to the north or south of Oulchy. it is indicated that the German defeat might be turned into a disastrous rout.
 If the Franco British Italian forces as officers here hope, are able to break through strong enemy concentrations toward Fishes itself, disaster would threaten the whole German position south of this place.
 Secretary Bakers Statement
 As to the position of the American forces. Secretary Baker had this to say today:
 The general effect of the news .o1 last night and this morning is to show very substantial gains of territory botf in the Chateau Thierry salient and for .her cast. The exact location of the line changes from time to time; but fol TWO days has changed favorably witt every change.
 There has been no recent substan- tial addition to the number of prison PTS. and no exact estimate of war ma. terial have been taken. As operation! are still very active we cannot look foI definite details.
 'I have had estimates, of course; a. to the numbers of prisoners. They ar, mere estimates. I have had officia estimates of 10000 prisoners.
 The inference drawn this mornin. If 17.00O prisoners and 560 guns as cap tured by the Americans, was an erron sous inference from the American dis patch. l think General Pershing mean the allies rather than the Americal forces had captured that number o prisoners.
 Nothing Official About Losses
 "We have nothing official on ou losses. of any kind.
 ''The railroad line is certainly broker l 1eprives the Germans of their mail reliance in the matter of supplies
 It was evident tonight the German have hurried large forces of reserve both from the north and south to keel open the salient which may prove death trap to a large section of thei army. It is noticeable General Focl has been satisfied to post his forces ol the heights overlooking Soissons am has not attempted to take it.
 Gouraud Wins Back Ground
 Reports indicated tonight that with drawal of German reserves from tn territory east of Rems had brough prompt action by General Gouraud, tn French commander, who has won bacl all ground gained by the Germans il the assault launched just a week age Possibly his advance is the forerunne If an attack in that direction designe to force the Germans to return thei reserves eastward, thus weakening tn Hanks in the Aisne salient.
 Just where the Germans plan t make stand is not clear.
 It seems evident from the languag of tonishts statement from Berlin the hope to check the allied forces as 500 as they have flattened out their lin sufficiently to protect their Hanks.
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