The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-07-26
100000 GERMANS
MAY Be TRAPPED
Allies Are Rapidly Closing in
on the Huns.
NARROW POCKET TO Il MILES

Retreating Enemy Above Marine Bat
tered on Three sldes-Americans
Force Huns Back
London, July 26-French, American
and British plunged into the east ana
west tanks of the retreating Germans
above the Marine and narrowed tbe
mouth of the pocket to only twenty
one miles.
All the German armies with this
pocket are under the range OF the
allied guns on the front and both
TANKS
British and French troops have ad-
vanced to Gueux and Merry Premecy,
in the battle sector just west of
Rheims, according to information re-
ceived from the battlefront
The new line shows an advance Of
about two miles on three mile front
toward Fismes. This gain when seen
on the map is of evident Importance,
for it greatly narrows the salient ere
ated by the Germans in their drive of
last May. Gueux Is five miles west
Of Rheims.
Merry Premecy is north of the Fis-
mes Pargny railroad and is ten miles
southeast Of Fismes.
II is no longer proper to speak of
the pocket as running from scissors
to Rheims, for the newest advantage
of the allies has pulled the eastern
edge of the pocket eight miles to the
westward, making Merry Premecy the
marker for the eastern rim.
The French are continuing their at
tacks between the river Ourcq and
the river Marne They advanced for
a distance of a mile, capturing the
southern part of 9Tere forest, and they
now occupy farm on the main road
from Percent ardenois is now within
5000 yards of the French lines.
The French also pushed well for
ward along the south bank Of the
river Ourcq, but they found they were
in an isolated position. and they were
compelled to fall back.
East of Rheims a Polish contingent
attached to the French, made sue
cessful enterprise and captured 213
prisoners
On the west side Of the pocket the
Franco-American troops have straight
ened out their line at the expense of
the Germans during the past twenty
four hours, this involving loss to the
enemy of about forty square miles of
territory between Armentieres and
vincelles. The line in the lower west
ern part of the pocket now runs
straight southeast from Armentieres,
and along this line the Germans have
been compelled to give up all the lit
tie angles and corners which they had
been holding on to as observation
posts or strong points.
The German military nerve center
at Fere- n-Tnrdensis, which, as the
junction of several great roads, was
the most important storehouse and
distributing point of the Germans, is
now under the crossfise from the
French and American artillery and
must be well nigh untenable. In fact.
no place in the whole pocket is very
comfortable position with the allied
long orange artillery sweep back
and forth, with balloons and airplanes
directing the fire.
Possible evidence of further
withdrawal by the Germans is seen on
the western flank of the pocket in the
fact that the German artillery fire
has grown much lighter all through
this sector and the guns appear to
be firing from greater distances be-
hind the lines as if being pulled hack
to places of safety.
IT IS estimated that there are 49,
O0o Germans fighting within the trf
angle, the sides of which are being
squeezed by the allied forces.
On the western front of the Sois-
soDs-Rheims salient the allied forces
have advanced 70 an average depth OF
three miles on a twelve-mile front
during the past two days. Some ex-
perts declare that the defeated Ger
man crown prince will not be able TO
extricate his army.
Nine divisions of reserves from the
army of Crown Prince Rupprecht of
Bavaria and a division from the east
ern end Of the line have been rushed
TO the aid of the German crown
prince, but, says Reuters correspond
cnt with the American troops in
France. the Germans may we'll hest
tate to push more troops into the al
ready crowded salient, seeing the DIFF
f1culty they have Of feeding those al
ready there.
German resistance on the southern
sections of the salient had been re-
duccd 10 a mere shell, it is added, and
the enemy doubtless is concentrating
efforts on keeping open the northern
outlets of the salient.
The allied drive toward Oulchy-le-
Chateau not only threatens the enemy
communications with Fere-en-Tarde-
noiS. but IS a serious threat for the
Germrn troops around Epieds, whose
line of retreat would pass through
Fere.