The sun., 1918-07-30
ELATION IN CAPITAL
AT ROUT OF GUARDS
Victory Of Americans at Sergy
a Sorry Blow to Ger
man Pride.
spscidl Despdfch to TIE srv

WASHINGTON. July 29.-Elatlon =,
War Department circles knew no bound.
tonight when reports were received
that the American troops have met thu
crack Prusslan Guards. the cream o,
Germans entire military organization
and have beaten them TO a standstill in
a clash which the German high com.
mand appears to have carefully planned
as a trump card to sap The ightInv
spirit Of the Americans.
1t appears from reports reaching
here that this German coup asains, ,he
Americans was launched south Of Serr,
four miles east OF Fere-en- ardenois. and
was timed to catch Pershing's mer
when they had been worn out hy tina
continuous desperate fghtirg which IA.
been going on in this area. The villasa
Of Sergy had changed hand four time.
until II finally was wrested from the
Germans, and this gives an ADEQUATE
idea Of the desperate thrusts and
counter thrusts. Apparently the Prus.
sian Guards we're relied upon to deliyer
the coup de grace.
The motto In Germany Ia. when the
Guards attack there can be no de.
fence" The skull and crossbones which
the Crown Princes crack egiments bear
on their headgear are supposed to In.
dictate that these regiments either sue.
coed or are destroyed. There are no De.
tails on tho losses of the Guard reei
ments, but Il II assumed here that they
have been very heavy.
Met Stone wall Defence.
Details are also lacking as to whA,
transpired whsn the Prussian Guards
fell with all their desperation against
the Americans. The defence of Per.
shings men 10 referred to as having
proved a stone wall and u is clearly in.
d.cated that the onslaught broke down
completely before II.
OfFlcials say tonight that the defeat
OF the Prussian Guards doubtless will
have pronounced effect Throughout
Germany when the truth is learned
there. The fact that American com
Blatant forces have only begun to pour
In. coupled with the demonstrated cal.
ibre of these new troops. rs bound IN
have a most discourasing and alarming
effect on the Germain mind II is EN-.
phasized.
The news from the battle front COZ.
tinues very good despite the ingenuity
and desperation OF the enemy. hlci.
dentally army experts are inclined to .
give the enemy credit for conducting
his defensive campaign with all the MIL
itary genius which Ia synonymous with
Prussian military efficiency.
Effort Not to lie Relaxed.
With news continuing favorable sec.
rotary Baker paid a distinct comp!-
ment tonight to the common sense ds-
eliminating manner in which the Amer
lean people are taking reports OF the
allied and American successes.
1T Is fortunate that our people are
accepting this success with a true meas
ure OF its Significance" Mr., Baker said
The progress OF the allied armies in
the region of Scissors and Rheims con.
tinues. substantial gains having boon
made Saturday and Sunday.
1T is a cause for gratitude and re.
joicing, but II does not Justify any re.
Taxation OF effort
Congratulatory messages from ihe
Japanese and Italian Governments were
received to-day regarding the sploni'3
work being done by Pershine's m ~ IN
the Marine sector. The French Hlyh
Commission made public an inspiring re-.
port from the commander OF the French
army to which the Americans are ~.
tached. which showed excellent work
done by New England troops, Twenty.
sixth Division, in the fighting along Inc
Clienon.