Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-01

Continued from rar. One
are holding the Dormans-
Rheims road. where sharp
fighting continues.
The situation is unchanged
northwest and north of
Rheims.
Expect Fight on New Line
Another big battle is expected to
begin on the Montdidier-C r-Compiegne-
Chateau-Thierry front. where prep
arations are observed on the part of
the German army under General
Fritz Won Below. The Germans
have both fanks covered and a di-
rect drive toward Paris is probable,
if these operations develop. The
Germans evidently hope to reach the
capital by this route before the AL
lies will be able to block the way
with sufficient reserves. If they are
unable to reach Paris, the Germans
wish to arrive within shelling dis
tance of Paris with their long range
naval guns.
Foch and Petain are prepared for
an emergency in this direction.
Prior German attacks in this quar-
ter were promptly dealt with by the
French who energetically counter
attacked, driving back the Germans
a short distance which they had
gained west of Noyon.
Between Thierry and Sois-
sons the enemy's masses are driving
in an attempt to cut the main line
of the Paris-Chalons railway,
transportation route between Paris
and the American front at Toul.
General Foch is steadily preparing
for a counter blow, probably on the
scene of the battle of the Marine, and
when he strikes he will strike hard
London. June 1.
Local fighting, which terminated to
the advantage of the British, broke
out last night in the sector of the
Aveluy Wood, north of Albert, the
British War Office announced today.
The British captured some prisoners.
East of s-Brettonneux (on
the Picardy 'front.', the Germans aS1
tempted to make raid, but were
repulsed. German artillery devel-
oped great activity early in the
morning in the sectors of Villers-
Brettonneux and Hebuterne.
/ During the night the German guns
were active south and west of Lens
in the neighborhoodl of Givenchy, on
the Flanders front.
British Report
The text of the official report fol-
lows:
British troops repulsed Ger
man raid last night east of Viii
ers-Brettonneux.
There was local fighting in the
Aveluy Wood, north of Albert,
which ended to our advantage.
Hostile artillery developed con-
siderable activity early in the
morning in the sectors of Villers-
Brettonneux and Hebuterne.
During the night the enemy ar
tillery was active west and south
of Lens and near Givenchy.
Ailette Thrust Held
On the wings of the great Aisne battle
salient the Allies have fought stub
bornly and materially retarded the
enemy advance. The line along the
Ailette River. In Picardy. where the
enemy launched a fresh thrust, linking
up the Aisne and Picardy struggles, has
been held. Paris reported last night
Southwest of Rheims a French counter
attack drove the enemy out of Thillois,
which II had captured May %.
A British semiofficial statement said
the enemy held ten miles of the river
bank
Forced TO fall back before overwhelm-
ing numbers. the French defenders of
the highroad to Paris and the Paris
Chalon-Verdun Railroad, fought des-
perately, to halt the onrushing hordes.
The battle has become one almost
wholly Of reserves. The movement of
artillery has been unable to keep pace
with the advance and infantry forces are
fightins the battle with very little gun
support.
The Germans have now thrown forty
Ave divisions into the new battle. Mcat
Hof LudendorfI's reReryea Rrf<Rtiil held