The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-07-26
z MORE TOWNS
ARE CAPTURED
IN ADVANCE
OF ENTENTE
Fall of Oulchy-le-Chateau
Pivot of German Retreat
Southwark, Serious Blow to
Enemy.
CLOSING MOUTH OF BAG
(By Associated Press)

Villemontoire, little more than
5 miles south of scissors, has
been taken by the French and
Americans while further south
they have captured Oulchy lie
Chateau and swept on to the
eastward of the town.
Between the Ourcq and the
Marne the Americans are pres
sing hard against the enemy
lines and have taken the south
ern half Of La Fere forest, which
brings them up to about four
miles directly south Of the vital
town of Fere en- Tardenois, the
center of the roads leading back
out of the Marine salient and
through which the German
forces along the southwestern
sector of the line must retreat.
Ris Rorest, farther southeast to-
ward the Marne, is also being emptied
of the Germans.
Concentrates Large Forces
The capture of Villemontoire and
Ouchly lie Chateau seem to show that
General Mangin, while keeping up his
pressure along the German lines, is
able to concentrate large forces at
vital points, the loss of which is men,
acing to the Germans.
Villemontoire is on the Scissors
Chateau-Thierry road. 1t is southwest
of the town Of Bucancy, which has
been reported unofficially to have been
| taken by the allies. Its capture marks
| a new step in the process of closing
| the mouth Of the bag in which the
Germans are struggling.
Serious Loss for Huns
The fall Of Ouchly le Chateau takes
from the Germans the pivot upon
| which their retirement farther south
! has been singing. Its loss to the en-
emy, who defended sternly, is a seri-
GUS blow.
The French official statement says
| that the allies have advanced east
| ward of this town. which should bring
| them to the vicinity of Hill $50. which
| is the dominating height in that reg
| ion and which would give the allies an
observation point over long reaches Of
the OurcQ as well as both banks of
| that stream.
!
| ish progress on the line from Gueux
and Merry Tremecy. west of Rheims.
+, The reported rapid advance of the
| British there, however, would seem
to suggest that there was plenty OF
! power behind the thrusts and that
their progress should continue.
Retirement Continuing
| On the whole the German retirement
| from the Marne salient appears to be
continuing. This retirement is quite
evident on the western side of the
| salient. but to the southwest OF
Rheims, toward the Marne, nothing
| has been reported as to an enemy
withdrawal.
German attacks near Meteren, IN
the Lys salient, and near Hebuterne.
north of Albert. IN both of which local
! tiles the British have recently ad-
vanced their line, are reported from
| Londan. Both enemy onslaughts were
repulsed.
1t is announced officially from Lon
don that Japan has agreed to The
American proposal to assist the
Czecho Slovak army in Siberia
Caught Within Wise.
Relentlessly. the allies are pressing
back the armies of Crown Prince with
| in the pocket, between scissors and
Rheims. Allied capitals would not be
surprised if the situation changed sud
denly and most favorable for General
Foch.
Caught as within a wise, the Ger
mans are struggling at the height Of
/ their strength to stay the steady pres
sure, but apparently to no avail. The
French and Americans are advancing
in northeasterly direction from Cha
teau Thierry and north from the
Marne, while the British and French
push forward northwestward up the
Ardre toward Fismes and the Vesle.
From east to west at the height of
the pocket, is now but 21 miles, the
enemy having been forced back some
I thing like sixteen miles since Gener-
al Foch launched his counter often
sive. The German lines of communi-
cation are almost gone and the allies
are striking with force and moving
! rapidly toward the two most import
ant bases within the salient, Fere-En-
! Tardenois and Fismes. Allied guns
now command every point in the poca-
ct.
Forests Being Cleared.
With the capture. of Oulchy-La-ville
| on the west and an advance Of more
than a mile on the southwest, Fere-En.
Tardenois is now within three and
| one-half miles of the allied line in the
Tournelle wood. where the French
continue to progress. Allied pressure
maintains its forward movement mark
edIy between the Ourcq and the Marne
and the latest gain has averaged more
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