Evening journal., 1918-07-17
BAKER Warns j. 5.
AGAINST OPTIMISM
Proud of Troops Achieve
ments, but Fears Worst
is Not Yet Over
AMERICAN FORCES
ARE INCREASED

WASHINGTON, July i7-By throwing
in fresh American forces as part Of
, his reserves, General Foch has stopped
the Germans south of the Marne, the
point Of greatest penetration I'm their
NTH offensive, has even thrown them
back some distance toward the river
This is the construction PLACID upon
Yesterdays news by officers at the War
Department who saw reason TO fea
proud Of the achievements Of the Amer
leans engaged in large numbers for the
first time in one OF the great battles
Of the war.
While the report increased the con-
ldence felt here that the NTH drive
Of the Germans has already lost much
OF It's momentum and that the Ameri-
cans engaged along the Marine are not
TO be shaken by any subsequent at
tacks, Secretary Baker took pains 10
warn against too much optimism at this
time. First day optimism" was the
way Mr.. Baker characterized it.
The feeling at che War Department
snd reflected by Mr.. Baker in this
warning IS that the fighting was very
bsttle which may last a week; that
conclusions should not be drawn from
mere bulletins OF the early stages OF
such an offensive and that the end Of
the battle cannot be predicted with any
certainty until definite information has
been received covering the lighting Of
the three days
That the number Of Americans engag- /
ed in the battle had increased. includ-
Ing possibly troops from two army
corps, was the belief at the War De-
parlment last night based on the re-
ports Of the fighting during the day.
Many American divisions are now
throught TO be in the thick Of the fight |
ing, possibly more than on either side |
ct Gettysburg.
The following was issued late last /
night:
At midnight the War Department
was not in receipt Of late cable des-
patches from General Bliss or General
Pershing, but was in communication
with the military attscha at Paris. In
formation from this last source does
not deal specifically with the days
point Of attack and defence, but brings
Information Of heavy losses sustained
by the enemys attacking forces and Of
his failure to make substantial pro-
sress during the last twenty-four
hours.
Il was understood that the despatch
from Paris received this evening was
most encouraging and stated the Amer
lean lines had not budged an inch dur
ing the day.
The Americans appear TO have been
drswn heavily upon by the French. II
is believed here that those who would
naturally be called upon would be the
veterans OF the First Army Corps, the
regulars, marines and National Guard
troops Of the New England, Rainbow,
Sunset divisions and the Thirty-secOnd
division, all OF whom have seen consid-
erable fighting in the many months
they have been at the front, but not
on such a scale as the present opera
tions.
Il was made plain yesterday by Sec
rciary Baker that these troops, how7
ever. are not yet operating as an army
Corps by themselves. A few OF the regi-
ments OF the First Corps now engaged
are SIN brigaded with French troops,
Mr.. Baker explained. Others are act :
ing as American divisions along the
Nlarne front. All are still part of a
French army corps and part Of French
Field Army.
That a considerable part Of Foch's {
reserves are Americans has been
known for some time. Consequently 1t
is believed here that as the fighting !
has progressed more and more Ameri-
cans may have been brought up. Z
When the battle started the Ameri- I
cans were along the Marne, elst Of :
for a distance OF a few /
miles only, the remainder being north :
west OF Chateau-Thierry. From the I
fact that the Americans have In con I
junction with the French recaptured :
La Chapelle-NIonthOdon. which is eight I
miles east Of their former position, 1t
is apparent here that the n1m)er OF d
Americans has been greatly increased 4
since the battle started. IL
General Pershings dispatches so far Il
have made no mention OF the number a
Of Americans engaged nor Of their /
losses. Following the receipt OF the
early dispatches yesterday the war De-
partment issued this statement;
Dispatches received from General
Pershing and General Bliss confirm the I
press accounts Of Mondays lighting.