Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-06
(By the Associated Press)

The Germans now are imposing
strong opposition to the further ad
vance OF the allied troops along the
Nesle River from the east of scissors
to the region west of Rheims.
Meantime. however. the main bodies
of the enemy army continue to make
their way toward the Aisne. to the
north Of which stream they hope
somewhere to reach a haven of safe
ty from the persistent onslaught Of
the American. French. British and
Italian troops. who in less than three
weeks have all but blotted out the
Scissors Rheims salient.
Notwithstanding the bringing into
play by the enemy of large numbers
OF machine guns and artillery Of
heavier calibre and the employment
Of large numbers of picked troops
including the well-tried Prussian
guard and the Bavarians, and de-
spite the fact that the rains have
sent the Vesle out OF bounds and
turned the Lowlands into quagmires,
the Americans and the other allied
troops have forced crossings of the
river at a number of new points and
or the north side of the stream are
engaging the enemy.
which recently has been extremely
modest in chronicling gains made by
the Allies, says that Monday saw on
ly local engagements and that the
situation on the battlefront is with
out change. Correspondents with
the allied headquarters, however,
assert that at several points between
Serm Disc, which lies to the cast Of
scissors and F'ismes. and between
Fismes and Muisont the French and
Americans have taken further
ground across the Vesle and have multi
fed German counter attacks delivered
in an endeavor to recoup losses. Be-
tween Muson and Champigny the Trus-
sian Guard and the Bavarians suffered
heavy casualties in their efful.s to hold
back their antagonists. The Germans
jealousy are guarding this particular
part of the line. an advance through
which to any considerable depth would
compel them entirely to lose the- hold
on the territory in which they are en-
trenched around the shell-torn city Of
Rheims.
In addition to the heavy infantry &C.
tons here violent bomba rdments also
are nj progress. 1t is not expected in
all allied military circles that it is the
purpose Of the Germans to turn about
and face their enemies out of the Aisr-
The hill region to the north of the Aisne
probably the old Chemin- Des-Dames
battle 'front.' is considered the most
probable sector on which the crown
prince will elect again to test the met
tie Of the men of Gen. Foch's command.
Just what the Germans have in mind
on the northern front cannot be .or,.
told. 1t is known. however, that Crown
Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria during the
early stages of the allied offensive on
the Scissors Rheims sector detached
large numbers Of his men and sent
them to the aid of his sorely-tried
cousin, the German crown PRICE. there.
by weakening his line. while Field Mar
shall Haigs front was not materially
touched by Withdrawals.
1t is not improbable, therefore.
that Rupprecht is worrying some
what over this diminution in strength
and already has placed barriers ba-
tween himself and the forces fr,nt.
ing him to ward off possible attacks
and is endeavoring to ascertain VIVA.
chances he has to hold out the posi-
tions from which he had intended nj
timately to launch a drive toward
the channel ports. A German subma-
rine has sunk the British ambulan,e
steamer Warilda. a vessel home
ward bound from France with 81 j.
and wounded. A large number of ir-
capacitated men were killed bv Tia
explosion Of the torpedo or drowned
in attempting TO leave the vessel n
small boats. Several Americ ans were
on board and one Of them is missing