New-York tribune., 1918-08-06
Flank Drive at
Amier1s Seen i'm
Foch's Strategy
American Observers Elk.
pect Attempt to Repeat
Success of the Marne

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5. .- Continual
tion of the German withdrawal to the
Aisne line is anticipated by army Off
GERS here, although there appeared to
be a new lull in the heavy fighting
along the Vesle to-day and no impor-
tant advances were noted The fact
that the Nesle has been crossed in
several places by both French and
American light troops scouting for
ward to feel out the enemy's rear
guard positions, however, seems to
make it certain that no very deter
mined stand along that water course
is to be expected.
The French already are on the tanks
of the German forces in the Vcsle-
Aisne triangle. having passed to the
north bank Of the Aisne near Scissors
and driven north near Rheims. The
development of triple -jawed pinccr
attack, such as that which routed the
enemy on the Ourcq, and with the
American first army corps again form
ing the centre jaw, is indicated by the
operations so far reported. The Amer
leans are beyond the Vesle at Fismes,
and their advance in the centre would
break the back of any serious resist
ance in the irregular salient between
the Aisne and the Vesle.
May Plan Picardy Trap
The situation about Soissons, where
the French have pushed we'll out to
the northeast Of that city, after cross
ing the Aisne, is full Of interesting
possibilities to observers here. 1t may
be that the purpose of this movement
is to gain such position in the rear
of the Aisne line as 20 force the enemy
to abandon that naturally strong de-
fensivc position without a pitched bat
Tie. Again, the purpose might be even
more limited. and have to do only with
sweeping the enemy back from the i'm
mediate vicinity of Scissors, as he has
been swept back from the west and
northwest fronts Of Rheims
The drive from Scissors, however,
is headed in such direction that it
may be the beginning of far more
ambitious project by General Foch. 1t
might we'll foreshadow, officers saic,
extension Of the battlefront northward
in an effort to carry the Allied ln@
up to the Disc front, which would be
one way Of attempting to duplicate IN
the Picardy theatre what has happened
in the Aisne- Marine salient.
Might Turn Amiens Flank
With his lines secure along the
Aisne, it was argued that General Foch
might Immediately employ the large
forces he has concentrated on that
front by shifting the whole battle
front to the left in an effort TO out
flank the enemy standing before
Amiens. This was the manuuvro Of
ficers here hoped for every day while
the Germans were driving toward
Amiens last March.
The French line stood fast along the
Disc from La Ferc, just north OF
which the break occurred to south and
west of Noyon. The army of the Ger
man Grown Prince then faced them
from the heights beyond the river,
standing strictly on the defensive for
many weeks, except beyond Noyon.
The French reserves were swallowed
up, however, in blocking the drive at
Amicns and in supporting the hard
pressed British. There was no chance
for a counter offensive. the Allied
armies being fully occupied in holding
on and preventing the enemy from
forcing a passage between them. Now
the situation is reversed