The Sentinel=record., 1918-09-06

With the American Army on the Aisne Front. Sept 5.-With the eXcen- ton of few machine gun detach- ments left to sacrifice themselves u an effort to cover the retreat, the Germans were on thenorth side of the Aisne tonight
 The American and French troops who have followed closely on the heels of the enemy since the evacuation of the Vesle village began, were still ir contact, harrassns the rear guards and hastening the movement of the whole force Long before nightfall the Americans had worked their way down into the lowlands towards the Aisne off the plateau from which they had been able to look over the ne%' valley at the cathedral towers in La on. not fifteen miles away
 It is at that point where is located the heart of the present German opera- tions L.aon is a great communication center and must naturally be defend cd with the utmost determination T the allied forces are to he prevented from driving back to it the German lines from west and south.
 The retirement Of the Germans tc positions north of the Aisne is regard ed as only preliminary 10 tneir re-o>- cupation of their old Illness of defense along the Chemn- des- Danes
 So steady and rapid was the with drawal of the Germans carried o1t that French cavalry was employed to- day 10 maintain contact at one or two places, the cavalry also contributing to the location of machine gun nests
 The Americans were subjected al times to a rather heavy artillery fire especially while going over he pld- teau For about two miles il was nee essary for them to advance in the open over ground plainly visible tc German observers. There was little cover and both heavy and light artil- lery swept the zone, but with slight effect
 The French and American artillery meanN hile delivered punitive fire directed against the villages and roads heyond the Aisne and shelled thl points where machine gun nests were located. The clearing out Of 'Sest nests was accomplished by the artii- lery in this engagement than in preyi- ous battles. These machine guns hal been left by the Germans along a lmj admirably constructed
 Some sharp engagements occurred These were brief, however. the Ger mans who were not killed or seriously wounded withdraw ing along lttt' communication trenches into large trenches leading to ravines, througI which they escaped.
 This was no; a day for prisoners the whole number being less thal twenty.
 The movement of the Americans over the plateau was effected withou material loss because. instead Of ad vaneing in regular formation, the! were filtered into and through th' zone, never presenting a satisiactor, target. The progress down into tn' lowlands was similarly carried out
 It would be no surprise if the Ger mans extended their evacuation to tn region south of the Aisne which the, hold in the direction of Rheims. It l considered possible that had a pusi been made there that part too woul have been included in the gains Of tn past few days. But it is regarded g inevitable that the Germans will fin that the newly made salient is un tenable. If they do not withdraw the will be in a serious position. as at an time pressure may be exerted bot from the south and northwest.