The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-07-22

Since the Germans have been ousted
from Chateau Thierry under conditions
which suggest that the withdrawal was
precipitate, the most interesting move
ments in the battle are south of Sois-
sons, where the Americans are reported
to have advanced distance of mile
and a quarter; the 0urcq valley, where
the allies are steadily pounding their
way toward Manteuil- Notre Dame, and
southwest of Rheims, where there seems
to be an indication that the allies have
initiated a new drive for the purpose of
outhanking the Germans between Mar
faux and Chatillon.
If this last movement develops, the
allies "nuteraeker" will be in full mo-
tion. Between the known allied front
south of Scissors to the town OF Bouilly,
southwest of Rheims, there is 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 ma
terially since they were reported at
Hartennes-Et-T Taux on Saturday. II the
French, Italian and British troops south
west of Rheims make an advance of any
Importance the position of the Germans
further south would be made even more
critical than it is known to be at present.
There appear 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 immediate re-
suits in forcing the Germans back from
the extreme tip OF the salient. The sec
ond enveloping movement is proceeding
up the ourcq valley and, at last accounts
was very near 0ulchy lie Chateau. The
third is the advance of the allies south Of
Scissors.
Thus Foch has projected tentacles
eastward to catch the Germans retreat.
ing from the Marne. If another claw is
thrust out from the Rheims salient, the
situation will become much more peril
GUS for the enemy.
There are few details of the fighting
between the Aisne and the Ourcq. 1t
appears, however, that the reported ad-
vance of the allies south of the Aisne
below Scissors, is simply the carrying
out of the French strategic plan of keep
ing the Aisne on the French left flank
The actual occupation of Soissons would
be matter of slight Importance in com.
parison to the Generalization or capture
of the German armies to the southwark
which appears to have been in General
Foch's mind as possibility when the
smash on the German flank was begun
by General Mangin on Thursday morn.
ing
If the allied "nutcracker" continues to
close in the remorseless manner that il
has for the past three days, the Germans
will be fortunate if they extricate all
their forces from the Marine salient
Their railroad communications virtually
all are under allied control or are under
heavy fire. The tired and defeated Ger
mans must retreat over wagon roads BY
way of Fere- En- Tardenois or to the east
ward of that place and the task of bring
ing them safely out of the sack in whicl
they have been caught is a heavy one.
Continued allied success would, i
might appear, compel German retrea
at least as far as the Vesle river. If thi
line is maintained by the Germans, Gen
eral Foch will have succeeded in straight
ening out his front, which then will rul
in nearly a direct line from Montdidie
to the heights of the Meuse.
British forces on the northern side o
the Picardy sector have gained furthe
ground near Hebuterne, while east o
Amiens, near Arras and in the Lys So
lent, raiding operations characterize
the operations of the British during th
past night.