Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-14
ALLIED FORCES IMPROVE
STANDS ALL ALONG LINE.
Americans at Last Accounts
Were Still in Environs
Of Bray.
ENEMY BRINGS UP BIG GUNS
Indications Are Teutons Intend to
Defend ChauIncs and Royc
at AL Hazards. 50
tBy Associated Press. ]

.
The strength of the German opposi-
tion against the allied troops, from
Immediately north of the Somme River
TO the region just below Roye, APP
parently has checked. for the moment
at least. their march eastward IN
the process OF clearing the Amiens-
Montdidier sector OF the enemy.
1t has not, however. prevented the
French on the extreme southern end
OF the line from winning additional
points of great strategic value In the
bin and forest region between the !
Disc and the Matz, where Lassigny and
Noyon are the ultimate objcctives,
and the capture Of which not alone
would result possibly in the forced +.
evacuation by the Germans of the
Noyon- Roye- -Chaulnes line. but also
would have a markell effect on the
battle line running southeastvard past 9
scissors. and thence along the vesie
River.
The battle line In the north and on
the center remains virtually as 1t stooh
Monday. although all the allied troops
have bettered slightly, thei- stands and
taken additional prisoners. The Amer
leans and French at last accounts still
were In the environss of Bray. north Of,
the river, while south of the river
tho Germans continued In possession
OF Chaulnes and Roye. which seeming
~ they intend to defend at all hazards.
Fresh rc-enforcements and large
numbers OF guns have been broughr
up by the enemy to aid him In his
endeavors to hold the line, which Is
essential to the safet, OF the German
armies now in the pocket described by
the Somme on the north and east and
the Disc OH the south. ~
The Germans are not merely on the
defensive. AT salient points here, and
there they are delivering violent coun-
terattacks against the allies, and are
also bombarding fercely the rear
areas.
RAIN ALLIED SHELLS
ON CHAULNES AND ROYE
Notwithstanding the enemy's Efforts.
however. Chaulnes Is receiving d
mighty visitation OF shells from the
allied guns. and Roye has been SO
cncroached upon that It Is now under
a heavy crossfire from both the north
and south, AMI seemingly both towns
ultimately must be evacuated. An
added danger to Roye Is the fact that
the French In their operations are
knocking at the door of LassiEny.a
about seven miles to the .outh. and;'
also are pressing forward eastward
toward Noyon in wedge driving ma
neuver, which not only is outfanking
Roye, but bringing Noyon daily nearer
the range of the big guns ~
Unofficial reports are to the effect
that the Germans, fearing capture m
the pocket between Roye and the Oise,
already are retreating alonS the Oise
Valley, toward Noyon. and II the
statements should prove true. it is not
unlikely that the entire German battle Z
line to the north will give way in
unison. and that even there may be
scissors to Rheims.
FAR NORTH FROM YPREs -
TO ALBERT GUNS Az ACTIVE;
Far to the north. from Ypres to
Albert. there has been considerable ae-
tivity on the part OF the British and
French forces against the Germans.
The latest German communication as
serts that all the attacks were re-
pulsed.
On the Vesle River, the Germans. In
attacks against Fismettc which is held
by the Americans and Frenci.. are de-
clared to have driven the allies 70
the southern bank Of the river. 4
counterattack, however resulted in the
reoccupation of Fismette.
Reports received Tuesday state thar
the ruins OF PeronLe are In flames
and that several villages behind the
German lines are burning. The fires
may have been caused by allied bonn
bardments. but it is believed tho Ger,:.
mans applied the torch to these townS'
as a preliminary step to C. further re-
tirement eastward. IS
LARGE MOVEMENT GOING
ON IN DIRECTION OF ITALY
A dispatch from Geneva says the
Austrians are reported moving an im-a
mense amount OF material and great
numbers of troops in tie direction OF .
Italy, and are expected shortly to at
tempt another offensive on the Italian
front. .i
Austrian railway trains running to-.
ward the Tyrol are reported crowded
with troops. no civilian passengers
being allowed. Tho Austro-Swiss
frontier has been closed since saturs.
day.
The Germans intend to occupy Pelro-4