Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-07-22

q gap of about "a miles. This gap.
however, probably is much smaller at
present, for the allies positions south
of scissors seem likely to have been
advanced materially since they were
reported at Hartennes-E Et- Tanx, on
Saturday. II the French, Italian and
British troops southwest of Rheims
make an advance of any importance,
the positions of the Germans further
south will he made even more critical
than it is known to be at present.
There appears to be at least two and
possibly three enveloping operations
along the western side Of the salient
south of Scissors. The first of these,
evidenced by the breaking through of
the allies northwest of Chateau
Thierry on Sunday morning. had i'm
mediate results in forcing the Ger
mans back from the extreme tip of
the salient. The second .enveloping
movement is proceeding up the ourcq
valley and at last accounts was very
! near Oulchy- The third
is the advance of the allies south Of
scissors.
Thus Foch has projected tentacles
eastward to catch the Germans re-
treating from the Marne. If another
claw is thrust out from the Rheims
salient, the situation will become
much more perilous for the enemy.
There are few details of the fight
ing between the Aisne and the Ourcq.
It appears, however that the reported
advance Of the allies south Of the
carrying out of the French strategic
plan Of keeping the Aisne on the
French left flank. The actual occu-
patton of Scissors would be a matter
of slight Importance in comparison to
the Decentralization or capture of the
German armies to the southwark,
which appears to have been in Cen
eral Foch's mind as a possibility when
the smash on the German flank was
begun by General Mangin on Thurs
day morning.
If the allied 'nut cracker" con-
tinues to close in the remorseless
| manner that it has for the last three
| days. the Germans will be fortunate
if they extricate all their forces from
| the Marne salient. Continued allied
| success. it might appear, would COM
pei German retreat at least as far
as the Vesle river. If the Germans
are able to maintain this line. General
Foch will have succeeded in straight
ening out his front, which will then
run in an almost direct line from
| Montdidier to the heights of the
Meuse.
British forces on the northern side
of the Picardy sector have gained
further ground near Hebuterne, while
east Of Amiens, near Arras and in the
Lys salient. raiding operations char
acterixed the activities of the British
last night.
Huns Say They Expected Retreat.
Amsterdam. July 22.-e'The with
drawal of our troops to the northern
bank of the Marne came as no sur
prise to well informed circles because
the supreme command had confiden-
TALLY. communicated its intention be-
forehand." says the Cologne Gazette.
ands adds:
"The object which the forcing OF
the Marne had in view was attained.
Thereforetit did not appear dangerous
to retreat locally in order to save un-
necessary losses. !" ,s5
| Great Victory. IS
ID Paris, July 81. Iavas Aeency)
All the military critics OF the news
papers, after careful examination Of
the tactical position and tho strafe-
Igical situation, have come to the con-
clusion that whatever happens now