The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-07-17
ALLIED DEFENSIVE TACTICS ARE
EFFECTIVE IN CHECKING ADVANCE
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUMMARY OF The WAR
(By Associated Press.)

third day, and, according to the views
of entente observers, it has no longer
the character of a general attack. II
already, they declare, has worked
itself into a Series of comparatively
local operations.
The success of at least ono Of these
operations, however, would amount
to considerable achievement for the
Germans, however much it might fall
short of their original designs.
What the German high command
intended the offensive to be cannot
be surmised. IL apparently eneoun-
tered a defense that was sufficiently
stubborn to prevent the immediate
achievement of more important OBJ
jectives, and the Germans have pur-
sued their usual tactics of making the
most of local successes at various
points along the front.
Thus the offensive now appears
largely to take on the aspect of a
turning movement against the
Rheims salient.
Reports from the battlefield show
that the Germans during the night
made progress in two sectors Of the
front. South of the Marne they at
tackled the positions on the heights
commanding the river crossings
taken by the French in their counter
offensive on Tuesday. The French
reached two farms north of st. Ae-
nan and la ChapeIIe- -Monthoden, but
there they encountered fresh enemy
troops who appear to have again
forced them back. Tho battle Is con-
tinuins on the slopes and in the
woods south of the heights.
Further east the Germans seem TO
kEnN rE4A
their attempt TO deboueh from the
Bouquigny wood and through the
village Of Nesles.
Near the Marine the Germans ap-
parently took some ground southwest
of VenteuiI, s5aar Monvoisin but a.
counter att&sk by 6hs FreBeEaejectea
them from this locality.
TRY TURNING MOVEMENT.
North of the Marns the turning
movement against Rheims becomes
quite apparent. On Tuesday the
Germans had been held up at ChatiI-
Ion and Rodennat wood. Since that
time they have forged forward along
the line further TO the northeast
toward Rheims.
Today's report tells of violent fight
ing in the Courton wood. The point
where the combat is taking place is
not known, but, eoncedins that the
enemy has reached the middle Of this
area of forest land, he has advanced
about four and one-half miles from
FeFe- ers Tardenois, which was aP-
proxima&eIy the location Of the line
on Sunday. Here and further west
in Rodemat wood, the Germans are
threatening gains, pushing southeast
%ouEnnJ Eparnax, which lice aotf&b oF
Nearer Rheims the Germans have
been repuIsed at Vrisny and no
fighting is reported in the district
Immediately surrounding the cathe-
draI city.
East Of Rheims the Germans have
attacked the new French positions on
che south side of the VesIe. The
French official statement reports
that the attack was failure.
From this point eastward there is
no report Of, fighting, the French Of
ficiaI statement saying, however,
that their lines have been maintained
intact throughout the region east Of
Rheims.
LOSSES TREMENDOUS.
Unofficial reports from the battle
area state that the German losses
since Monday morning are estimated
at 100000 This slaughter, If the re-
port be accurate, is evidence of the
feroeity Of the fighting and the
mighty efforts being made by each of
the contesting armies.
Reports declare that the situation
is viewed as being satisfactory by
the allied commanders. There will,
however, be an anxious period until
the German turning movement
threatening TO pinch off the Rheims
salient, is definitely stopped. An in
teresting feature OF the fighting is
that the French, according TO unof-
fieiaI reports, have lost no cannon.
Raids have been carried out by the
British in the Aniens region and to
the north, az HuTIuch. The German
artillery is said TO be active, notably
in the region around the AFras-Lens
salient.
Throwing new forces into the fray
TO maintain the strongest pressure
against the Allies, the Germans have
failed 10 capture Important positions
and on most of the front are being
held in check. The heaviest fighting
continues along the Marine and on
the plateau cast or Rheims. Enemy
progFeee on the Marine is GLOW.
Franco American forces have re-
captured Two towns and heights
commanding the bend i0 the river at
Dornans as well as additional prison
ers.
Apparently the Allied rssistanes
Monday was greater than the Ger-
man command had anticipated. The
enemy has changed his tactics TO
strong local attacks az vital points
Instead Of continuing general as
aauIt along the front from Chateau
ThieFry TO near the Argonne.
In che region of Dorn1ans ard east
ward along the Marine the Germans
have penetrated about five miles and
now hold both banks Of the river for
stretch OF about IL miles. Strong
and repeated attempts 10 enlarge
their gains north and south of che
river have been repuised. Unless
they can enlarge their hold on the
river, she troops along the Marne are
in dangerous situation should an
allied counter attack begin.
Evidently The German purpose III
striving 70 press forward astride The
river TO Eperaay is 60 oufflank The
strong natural obstacle of Sf1es noun.
Continued q page 1o,1