The Nevada County picayune., 1918-07-18
SITUATION
 SATISFACTORY
WASHINGTON BELIEF.
Officers Are Inclined to Look Upon Operations East of Rheims More of Diversion Than an Attack.


 Than an Attack.
 Washington, July 16.-Offi- cial reports on the new Ger man offensive and the part played by American troops in holding up the enemy on the first day began to reach the war department early today from Generals Pershing and Bliss. They confirmed press accounts, and department statement said they described the situation as satisfactory, though noting that the first day of the battle, of course, was a general advance guard acton and that the enemy re- serves were yet to be dealt with.
 Tension was somewhat re- faxed at the war department, although the course of the bat tie was followed with as much eagerness for late bulletins as on yesterday.
 President Wilson again abandoned his usual morning round of golf today and re- mained at the White House, hearing reports from the front as they came in. He was up late last night, following both official and unofficial advices closely.
 Early reports on renewal of the fighting show that the American troops are again en- gagged heavily but have restor- ed their positions on the Marne even more fully than during the counter-attack which drove the Germans back to the river last night. Two of the towns from which the Americans were forced in the first German rush into the exposed position in the river bend opposite Jaulgonne have been recaptured.
 To the East the Germans appear to have forced their way across the Marne on considerable front in the Dor mans sector.
 It is believed here, howev- CT, that if the American po- sitions on the flank are main tained the Germans east of them will be in great peril. A successful counter-stroke a. long the river bank heading on eastward from the American positions, might cut them off from the river and force the surrender of the whole organ izations.
 Farther east the French re- ports indicate that Franco Italian forces are holding stubbornly along a line gener- ally about two miles back Of their original positions. So far no definite progress to- wards encompassing Rheims from the west and east has been made by the enemy, de spite lavish employment ot reserves.
 Officers here are inclined to look upon the fighting east of Rheims as more of a diversion than a real attack. Without doubt it would have been pressed had it met with sue cess; but it's real purpose IS thought to have been to draw French reserves in that dlrec- tion, while the line from Rheims to the Marne was pounded back.
 The fact that the battle IS going forward with increased intensity west of Rheims to- day indicates that fresh Ger man reserves were rushed up to this front during the night in the effort to overcome the check administered yesterday by the Franco-Italian forces. Apparently this sector, includ- ing the Marne crossing in the Dormans region, is the vital part of the German battle plan, and no effort is being spared to force the lines ahead
 The statement follows:
 Dispatches received from General Pershing and General Bliss confirm the press ac- counts of yesterdays fighting. American troops west of Sur