The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-08-02
FRANCO-BRITISR
TROOPS ADVANCE
THREE MILES ON
A FRONT OF FIVE
Most Important Develop
ment Since Germans
Left the Marne
WILL HASTEN
.WITnDRAWA11
May Also Prevent the Ger
mans Stopping on the
:Vesle River
PRISONERS NOW
TOTAL $4,000 I
London Sees Turning Points
Of Summer Campaign
and Possibly War
PRISONERS NOW
TOTAL $4,000
(By Associated PresA)

London, Aug. 2. - Yesterdaysa
Franco British attack on the wegh-
erly side OF the Marne salient was ON
q front OF five miles and penetrated
to a maximum depth OF three nfleB
according to news received today. TE
resulted in the capture OF the entire
ridge which forms the watershed
between the Ourcq and the AiGne.
the advices indicate.
The French also captured the
entire Meuntiere wood on the line
to the west Of Goussancourt- al
about the center of the salient.
Goressaucourt itself has been taken,
The advance by the allies along
the western side Of the aalient ag
described as extremely Important
possibly the most important thing
the allies have accomplished sincs
the Germans retired from the Marne.
The Importance OF the victory. it
is explained, lies In the fact that
the new allied positions command
the whole area to the northward and
take in flank and rear the entire
western gates through which the
Germans have been retiring. This
area is a nest of German reserves
and field artillery.
The capture of the important
ground on the heights to the west
erly side Of the line also means that
the Germans will not be able TO re-
tire in an orderly leisurely way, and
that they probably will have to go
beyond the river Vesle in their re-
treat.
The situation is considered as ex-
traordinartly good, being described in
the advices as the turning point OF
the summer campaign and possibly
OF the whole war,
Resume Offensive
Paris, Aug. 2.-Allied troops celea
bratad the fourth anniversary OF the.
war by victorious resumption OF
the offensive to the surprise of ~
great many who had believed the
battle had entered into one of It's
periodical luls. ,,...
Incidentally the official statement
on the total Of prisoners-more than
34,000-brings out forcibly the eg-
tFaoTdinary change in the situation
a short month has effected. On the
first OF July. the allies, to reverse
Walpole's famous phrase. were h1-
most wringing their hands; now
they would be justified in ringing
bells.
The ground won yesterday north
Of the Ourcq has considerable value.
1t is long spur about 600 feet
high, forming the watershed bee
tween the Crise and the Ourca and
is valuable observation point From
1t the Germans prevented the allies
from seeing the Crise, while they
overlooked the ground won from
them on the ,Ourcq. The allies
stormed not only the summit, but
the northern slopes OF this terrain.
AS a consequence they can now
maneuver safely in the Ourcq region.
In addition they have view behind
the great Hartennes plateau where
the enemy still clings along the
SoissonB- Chateau Thierry road ana
that strong position, difficult TO at
tack frontally, can now be turned
from the north through Vile Mem
toire and from the south by way Of
Hill ZOE.
The allies also gained an import
ant advantage on the left In the
capture Of Meuniere wood by the
Americans, giving them a position
which is regarded as the keystone OF
the whole German line in the center.
Fighting Very Bitter.
London, Aug. 2.-Fighting OF the
most bitter nature marked the
American advance east and south
east Of Sergy on Thursday, SAYS
T2au$ay-'u nnrrssrou 5ay1t an 4t,a a v~nv.