Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-07-16
German Objective Yet Uncer-
tam But Plans to Block
1t are Well Laid.
SUCCESS ACHIEVED
|. OF LITTLE MOMENT
London Newspapers Differ In
Their Opinions They Ex-
press Regarding 1t
By Ed. L. Keen,

Omitted Press Staff Correspondent.)
London, July 16,-The fifth phase Of
the German offensive which began early
yesterday in an attack on a fifty mile
front, extending from Chateau Thierry
eastward beyond Rheims, appears to be
a supreme effsrt to break through anu
defeat as large portion Of the French
army as possible, without any definite
geographical objective.
This was the majority opinion of ex.
pert military men today, although some
authorities maintained that the drive
was an effort to use up French reserves
from the north, preparatory to renewal
OF the attack on Amiens. Still other
critics saw iii the drive al effort to
widen the base for future attacks on
Paris, with reduction Of tho Rheims sal.
lent and capture Of that city as a part
Of his plan.
All are agreed that General Toch has
his plans completely laid out for meet.
! ign any move the Germans may make
| The morning. papers are decidedly op-
linistic and express satisfaction with
the result so far. They are puzzled
however, as to whether yesterday 3 bat.
tie was the main attack. So far as has
been learned, no British have yeS parti.
cirated.
1t is estimated that between so and
co German divisions (between 100000
and 100000 men) took part in the as
saul.t.
The Germans, 1t was lesleed from an
authoritative source, adva.s .sed threo
miles on four mile front between Rel.
val and Pourcy.
Between Fossoy and Jaulgonne, the
enemy advanced mile beyonl the
Marne. (This is where the Americans
drove them back across the river Fos.
soy is four miles east of Chauteau.
Thierry and Jaulgonne is the same dis.
tance northeast of Fossoy.) Between
bhgny and Troissy, the enemy penetra.
Tea slightly more than q rlile. (Troissy
IS on the south bank Of the Marne, tygo
miles northeast Of Dormans while BIO.
ny is twelve miles northeast Of Troissv
IN tho direction Of Rheims. This Womb
indicate that the Germans succeeded in
progressing On a l6-mile front between
Ohateau'Thierry and hhiems, separated
INTO two sectors by five mile striu
along the Marne between Jaulgonne ana
Dormans. The greatest penetration. on.
yiously was about midway between
Dormans and Rheims.) It is believed
the Germans penetrated the village OF
Prunay, (southeast Of Rheims) and also
advanced half mile in the direction OF
souain, but we're driven back by counter
attacks.
Compared with their initial success.
ses in previous efforts, the Germans'
present achievements are relatively il,
considerable" the Daily News declyn
ed.
II this were the MAIN attack, it is
reasonable to believe it is parried.u
The Times believes the drive il pre.
paratory to an advance On Paris and is
eonfidant Rheims will be able to hold
out.
The most encouraging feature of to.
day 8 fighting was the American coun.
ter attack" +" the Sketch declared.
Andrew Bonar Law, chancellor Of the
exchequer, speaking in the house Of conn
mons last night said:
"south Of the Marne, the Americans
in a brilliant counter attack took
thousand prisoners.
East Of Rheims the enemy VS.
been completely checked with sewers
losses.
I" West of Rheims the Germans, On a
front OF 50 kilometers (nearly ~ milcs)
penetrated an average depth Of four to
five kilometers from two and half to
three miles.)"