South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-07-17

NEcfnEfn purpose, III seems f'iC$lr tilsaJ
the German object I'm the present
offensive was by attacking east and
west Of Rheims to reduce the mar
row but dangerous salient. which
their attack of May 20 left upon
their flank.
If Ludcndorh plans TO deliver his
final blow at Paris, an advance from
his present lines westward would be
frought with danger. precisely as
long as the French occupy, not the
city of Rheims. but the high ground
of the mountain of Rheims behind
the ruined city.
\ frontal attack upon this salient
would be difficult and costly. The
German has therefore had recourse
to the familiar cNpedicnt OF attack
ing both sides Of the salient at the
points where il leaves the main
front. The brunt of his attack seems
TO have fallen upon the French and
Italian troops between the Marine
and Rheims, and upon the French
troops between Rheims and the Mo-
ronviIIcr heights eastward. His
greatest gain seems to have been
made TO the westward. where Inc
has eaten i'm materially at the base
Of the Rheims salient about CHI il!
on narrowing it nOticcably. vt the
other side, at Prunay, ne has har-
vested slight gains. The value of
the Rheims salient to- our allies lies
I'm the fact that 30 long as II Is in
their hands counter offensive on
the flank of the Germans operating
toward Paris Is always possible, and
such counter offensive. If success
full, would not only destroy the Ger
man thrust nj Paris, but graNcly en-
danger the troops making IL, be-
cause "A short advance from the sal
lent would cut the main lines of
communications, which the Ger
mans must use i'm any advance upon
Paris from the westward.
The Germans seem TO have un-
dertakcn 10 establish bridgehc ads
south Of the Marine ut the prize
points where BuclOw crossed i'm his
advance TO the battlefield i'm Scptcm-
Der. 1911. and il Is conceivable that
LudendOrff il trying to carry his
front southwark to the line Of the
NORM river, along which there was
sharp lighting I'm tho battle Of the
Marine This would give him one
moro important highway and rail-
way leading toward Paris, the high
way and railway which follow the
south bank of the Marine from Ep-
ernay to- Chateau Thierry. In this
region the Marine flows sluggishly
In q wide valley several miles from
the stream. The hills rise sharply
and the Germans seem 10 have no.
where reached the high ground OH
the south bank, although mt points
they have occupied the southern
bank.
II the Germans mean 10 make
their supreme thrust ut Paris, IL Is
natural and logical that he should
first try to iron out the salientS
threatening his rear, I'm order that
his flank might rest securely upon
tho Marine. and that he might be
able TO use the great highways run
ming east and west from the from
tier TO the capital. Presumably, nc
Il seeking 10 reach thalOnS ana Ep-
Crnay. Were he successful in this,
not only could nc then turn his at
tention safely toward a drive upon
Paris, upon much widcncd front,
hut also the French i'm Neriun
would he coopcd mp i'm very mar
row salient and their position would
H. difficult and dangerous, fully re-
Al, ia ae 1nn tciE
of the battle of the Marine four
years ago.
II Is well TO bear I'm mind that the
history of each German offensive
of this year has disclosed n period
of experimentation. The Germans