The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1918-08-08
BAD WEATHER HALTS
IMMEDIATE ACTION

Conditions on the battle front
along the Vesle River between Sois
sons and Rheims remain unchanged
and, relatively speaking, there have
been no developments of outstanding
Importance on the line running from
the region of Montddier toward the
English channel. In both regions,
however, there is a tenseness which
seems the forecast of the approaching
dawn of big events.
The bad weather-heavy rainfalls,
the swollen river and the resultant
wretched condition of the terrain with
which the allied troops along the
Vesle now have to contend, not to
mention the necessity Of bringing up
guns, ammunition and supplies which
were left far behind in the rapid ad-
vance-doubtless is having more to
do with the holding in leash of Mar
shal Foch's troops than the opposi-
ton the Germans are throwing in
their way.
The Germans have been shelling
heavily the American and French SOL
diers who have made their way across
to the northern bank of the Vcsle or
delivering heavy counterattacks
against them, but every where they
have met with a stonewall of resist
ance which has not permitted them to
counter balance their losses Of
ground
Allies Remain Firm
They also have deluged the SOU
thern line Of the stream with shells Of
all calibres, including gas projectiles
and even have brought their famous
flame throwers into play, but all to
no purpose. The allies everywhere
have remained firm in the ground
that they have won.
But the Germans have not been
permitted by the allies to have a
monopoly of the initiative. Where
they have thrown shells against the
Americans in the Fismes sector, Ame-
| rican missiles have been returned
with added interest This particular
sector has been veritible inferno.
Gas in large quantities was released
against the American who, with their
gas masks adjusted, were virtually
unharmed by the noxious fumes. A
kindly switch in the wind at one time
even turned back the gas against the
enemy. The French also have answ-
cred the Germans in kind.
During the hiatus in the fighting
on the Scissors Rheims sector the
Germans are believed to be moving
their main bodies northwarrd to the
position they have chosen for stand,
and doubtless the German crown
prince is endeavoring hastily to re-
constitute as well as he may, with the
forces at his command his badly shat
tered armies.
An inkling of what the Germans
have lost in men made prisoners and
guns captured by the allies has be-
come public through an uttcrance of
the French premier at session of the
ministerial council at which General
Foch was made marshal of France
"Thirty-fve thousand prisoners and
700 cannon have been captured" said
the premier, who added that Paris no
longer was in danger that scissors
and Chateau-Thierry had been recon
quered and 200 villages had been de-
livered through the formidable thrust
of Foch's men through the Soissons-
Rheims salient.
British Busy Again.
"uSh ihIcieSI dltdCHcS W lft MA
neuvers of the Germans and the
French and British troops, with the
latter Of whom some Americans are
believed to be prigaded, on the front
running from MontdiGer to the re-
gion around Yprc5. Ultimately the
operations here may have strong
bearing on those now in progress in
the south and if the allies keep up
their successful thrusts and the Ger
mans continue to withdraw, compell-
ing realignment of the entire battle
front
The French north of Montdidier
have crossed to the west side of the
Avre River between Breaches and Mo
risel. Here fairly deep penetration
into the German line would boone a
Il - 4. a r