GREAT CRISIS CONSIDERED OVER

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 221, 6 June 1918, Page 5

GREAT CRISIS CONSIDERED OVER

ALLIES HOLDING THE ENEMY IN STRONG FORCE

WHERE WILL THE GERMANS STRIKE NEXT?

By Telegraph-Press Assooiatlon-Copyrisht, New. York, June 4. A Paris message dated Jnno 4, 9.45 a.m., states: "The enemy's advance is 'definitely checked, and the Germans have been driven back across the'Marne near Chateau Thierry. Wo recaptured Faverolles. The Germane captured Pernant at heavy cost." The United Press Paris correspondent reports that the French and American troops pushed back the Germans across the Marne.—Beuter. J , . i. . \ STATEMENT BY M. CLEMENCEAU SITUATION WAS GRAVE, BUT CRISIS'PAST. Paris, Jnnn i. jr. Clcmenceau (Prime Minister) gave a exposition of tho military ' situation to a committee of tho Chamber, explaining how tho Allies' effectives were being used. He indicated Hint the situation hod been grave, but that tho crisis is past. The Germans were now held everywhere.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONFIDENCE IN FOCH ilfcc. June 0. 1.5 a.m.) i London, Juno 4. Official.—The Snpreme War' Council expresses its confidence in General Foch and in tho outcomo of the war, with the aid of the Americans.—Keuiter. GERMANS CAPTURE NEUILLY LA POTERIE. ■ London, June 4. Tho Germans havo captured Neuilly la Poterio, seven miles north-west of Chateau Thierry.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BITTER FIGHTING, BUT ENEMY HELD / _____ ' \< (Re , -- June 5. H. 35 cm.) ■, London, June 4. '• Eeuter's correspondent at French Headquarters, writing on the morning of June i, states: "The latest news of yesterday's fighting confirms the reports that the enemy is held. The fighting is bitter along the wholo front from the Oiso to tho Marne. Tho balance of advantage is on tho side of the Allies. Suci progress as the Germans have made has cost them an exaggerated price in casualties, There i 8 extraordinarily bitter fighting in the Ourcq Valley for the possession of the road on the (southern edge of the Villers Cotterets Forest in the direction of Lα Forte Milon. A French cavalry division, fighting on foot, isengaged in an obstinate conflict with a crack enemy division, includiup the First Division of tho Prussian Guard, and is making theji pay dearly for every foot of ground gain3d."-Keuter. ■ THE OFFICIAL REPORTS BATTLE RESUMED WITH GREAT INTENSITY London, June i, 2 a.m. A French official communiquo states: "The battle was resumed with great intensity during last night and to-day. The Germans, with fresh forces, attacked between the Oise and the Ourcq with redoubled violence. North of the Aisne tho attacks were directed against Jlont de Choisy, which for the fifth timo we recaptured. All other enemy attempt between tho Oiso and tho.Aisnc, especially north of Moulin-sous-Touvent and Vingre, were vain. Between the ■Visno and the Ourcq tho Germans attempted by desperato efforts to; penetrate the Forest of Villers Cotterets, north and east. Our troops heroically withstood the shock of the enemy's forces on this front, and broke their advance, indicting bloody losses. West of Soiesone tho enemy was checked east of Pernant, nnd also farther eoiitli on the general lino Saconin-Missy-Auxbois-Vaucatile, to the eastern ed»o of Eetz Forest and Troesnos. We captured Fnverollefi by n, vigorous counter-attack. There is no change between the Ourcq nnd the Marno, in tho region south of Ville-en-Tardenois. Tho French and British maintained all gains north of Champlat." '■ •V French communique, dated June 4, 5.10 p.m., states: 'Between the Oise and tho Aisne tho enemy was held by our energetic resistance, nnd made no progross. Between tho Aisno and the Ourcq tho battle was continued during the evoning and night with equal desperation. From 7 o'clock in tho cvoning violent attacks occurred in tho region of Perimnt, Saconin, Missy-aux-Boia, and Travesnes. Pernant fell into the enomy's hands after an obstinate defence, in which tho enemy lost heavily. Further south wo yielded a little ground, we3t of Saconin and Missy-anx-Bois."—Aue.-N.Zi. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ' [Pernant is a village four miles west of Soissons.]

ON THE BRITISH FRONT London, June 4, 12.50 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "There was considerable hostile artillery activity 1 this morning between Albert and tho Sommo."—Aus.-N.is. Cable Assn.-Eeutcr. (Eee. .Tune 0, 1.-15 a.m.) London, June 5. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We repulsed raiders in the neighbourhoods of Beaumont Hamel nnd BoveJles. Tho French drove oIF an ntton-.otetl raid northwest of Kenimel Hill, securing a few prisoners—Aus.-N.SS. Cable Aesn.-Renter. SHARP REVERSE INFLICTED HY FRANCO-AMERICAN .TROOPS ' (Kcc. .Tune 6, 1.45 a.m.) London, Juno 5. An American official report states -.-"North-west of Chateau Thierry we broke an attempt by tho enemy to advance- south through the Neuilly woods. Our counter-attack drove the cnbmy northward of these woods. $)n the Marne front a German battalion which crossed the river at Jaulgonne was counterattacked by Franco-American troops am] forced to retreat to the riiiht bank, sustaining severe losses in killed and prisoners."—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. THE GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT / London, .Tune 4, 10.20 p.m. A Germaj] official report states: "Wo drove tho enemy back towards Moulin-sous-Touvent, St. Christophe, and Vingre. Wo cupturwl Chaudin nnd pushetl aoroß3 tho Simereß torritory ns far aB tho eastern border of tho Villere Couerota

Woods. We repulsed violent counter-attacks south of Marcq, and captured Belin, and also tho.heights west, of Chateau Thierry. Fresh French units have entered the battle in order to relieve Uk- French arid English army corps which wo cut up. fuere is no change between the Marne and Keims. Our aeroplanes bombed the railways leading to the battlefield."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-lieuter.

ENEMY ADMITS STRONG ADVANCES

(Ree. Juno (J. 1.5 a.m.)

. _, ~ „, . . London, Juno L A Berlin ofhcia, report stales:' The enemy has made stioug advances at several points. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Tteuter.

(Roc. Jnne G, 1.45 a.m.)

, • , „'. , , London, Juno 5. A wire ess German official report states-.-''The enemy captured small trench sectors south-west of Merris. Wo captured, n ft ci . hard fighting, a few trenches north of the Aisne, took the heights of Vnnxbuin, and west of Chandun stormed Pernant ami Missy-an-Bois driving the enemy back on the Le Soulinr-Dommicrs line beveral bn tones andla few thousand prisoners were captured. French counter-attacks astride tho Ourcri failed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn -Eeuter

COMMENTS ON THE SITUATION

BEST NEWS SINCE MAY 27.

_ , , , , , ~ , ' London, Juno i. Yesterday s news was the most satisfactory since May 27. Tho reports have been growing brighter for the past two days, but yesterday gave the first indication of the enemy being' definitely checked. Tho entry of reserves is undoubtedly taking effect. The recapture nf Mont de Cho'isy is most important, as the hill is one of the main bastions defending tho road to Paris by way of Compiegne. Tho repulse of tho pnomy nttemnts to enter tho forest o'f I?etz is no less significant, for it is now evident that tho enemy's plan is to capture the forost-clad heights of Villers Cotterets and Commegno, and'~then enclose Paris in an enormous salient by way of the valleys of the Oipo and the Ourcq. Tho defence of Beims is one of the most heroic feitures of the battle. The French troops which were guarding tho approaches on May 27 gradually fell bock in the siibnrbs. In consequence of this withdrawal of the lino the troops on the left held onfc for eight days unrelieved. Those encircling the city on the right retired only a hundred yards, nntil tho increase of tho gap on their left necessitated a modification of tho line. All enem/ attempts to capture the city frontally wero fruitless. The Germans were unable to employ tanks to rush the suburbs, as was intoiide'd. Three tanks approached in tho afternoon of May 31, but were driven back."—Kcuter.

THE GERMAN FILTER WEDGES

CR«c. Juno 5, 7.45 p.m.)

if /-, 11 r, ill ii ,m -I ir -I) ~ (-OntlOll, Jujlß i, Mr. Gerald Campbell, the Daily Mail s representative with the French Army, states: "His superiority of numbers on the Oiso-Rcims front enabled the enemy to make an immense series of sectional attacks. Small, wedge-shnped parties advanced in eclielou, attained definite points, and then, extended into line, doubled the aggregate of the original front. JJo fewer than fifty divi'6loll3 attacked, including special shock troops. Tho Allies' screening troops, already scanty, wore increasingly placed at a disadvantage as the line widened! The enemy encountered a most envago resistance on Saturday between Neuilly and Villers Cotterets, and throw in fresh troops, inaluding divisions to replace the Guards, who suffered heavily during the earlier advance Corey and Troe3iif>s were lost during a swayimr fight, but were recaptured'by tho'Freneh cavalry, which figured brilliantly in tlm day's engagement. Below Troesnes tho onemy was pushed back to I'ossyd, between Dormans and Reims. The Allies rotook Champlat and made progress towards Troesnes. Tho German airmen were dominant during the early part of tho offensive, owing to .the French , being compelled to oxtomporiso fresh qunrlers, but tho latter soon regained the upper hand. The Germans aro bringing up lnrj;e numbers of heavy batteries, and will probably use them in greater masses for attacking the weaker places. But no matter: eince French reserves have arrived, I am convinced we now havo enough men and guns to secure victory."—"The Times." THE CROWN PRINCE'S DIFFICULTY (Rec. June 5, 7.45 p.m.) , i ' . London, June i. Keutor's correspondent writes: "In pursuit of his aims to. enclose Paris in a salient by way of the valleys of the Oise, the Ouroq. and the Marne. tho enemy is now desperately trying to free his left wine on the Marne. He has a front here of barely fifteen miles, between Chateau Thierry and La Fcrto Jtilon, and as it is impossible to manoeuvre- his immense army of assault on such a front without exnosing it to'enormous risk tho Crown Prince is striving to widen his front; "if the Germans are now brought to a standstill, as Allied opinion is confident-they will be, there is likely to bo a prolonged conflict east of Paris in further pursuit of the enemy's aim to destroy the French armies and bring the German batteries to Ixwr on tho city."—Renter. . ' ENEMY STILL CAPABLE OF FURTHER EFFORTS . , (Rec. .Tune 5, 7.45 p.m.) Paris, June 4. Semi-official: "The' German losses are growing more serious every day, but they aro etill numerically superior on tin; whole front, and may bo able to embark upon a new offensive on some other sector, perhaps at Montdidier or Noyon. Tho French Command is therefore wisely biding its time before putting forth all its cfforts."- l Eouter. i GENERAL MAURICE'S VIEW % 1 (Kec. June C. 1.30 a.m.) London, June 4. General Maurice stales that Iho batllefront from Noyon to Chateau Thiorry is becoming established. "Progress should coutiiiuo with little more than a local development. The now situation is such (lint t'ho Allied reserves must' bo reaching tho baltlefront faster than the enemy's. If the Crown Princo proposes to continue the baltlo on his present front, he mimt bo'prepared for a slogging match, with, at the Iwst, slow progress at Jieavy cost. Sinco Verdun, German opinion has been against a prolonged hammcr-aiid-longs fight, therefore tho. probabilities aro that tho present phase of Iho offensive is Hearing its end, though the pressure may bo continued for a limo with l'lio object of drawing in more Allied reserves. ( Thc next stage of the extonsion of the baltlp_may lio to the northward towards Montdidier, where (ho Americans distiiiguisTiud theinfielves. With at least half his reserves intact Mie enemy cannot rest content with what he already hns uchioved."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WHE WAR IN THE AIR SUCCESSFUL BOMBING EXPEDITIONS. London, Juno 1. Sir Douglas Haig's aviation report, stales: "Our aeroplanes dropped eigliteen tons of bombs and heavily attacked with machine-guns a great variety of targets. The machines dropped eight tons of bombs last night on the I* Cateau, St. Quentin, and Valenciennes railway stations. All our night-fliers returned."—Aus.N.Z; Cable Assn.-Router. (Ttec. June C, 1.45 a.m.) London, Juno 5. Sir Douglas Hai# reports: "On Monday our night-flyers dropped eighteen tons of bomlxs, chiefly on the railway stations at St. .Quentin, Douai, and Luxemburg We brought down three and drove down one. No British machines aro missing.-Aus.-N.?;. Cable Assn.-Reuter. , NAVAL AIR RAIDS ON-BELGIAN COAST. London, Juno 4. The Admiralty reports: "Between Thursday and Sunday liavnl aircraft carried out night and day raids on the Bruges docks, and at Zeobrugge ami Oshiid. Several tons of heavy bombs wore dropped on tho objectives, with good results. Photographs confirm the great damage done to a large engineering works at Bruges. Three of our machines nro missing. Meanwhile- our aircraft sighted and attacked a submarine, nnd located several onemy mines. During patrols in the North Sea they also sighted a Zeppelin, but n seaplane was unable to overtako and engage it effectively. Ono of our seaplanos is missing."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter. • "THE FRENCH AIRMEN. t London, June i. A French ofiici.nl report states; "During Saturday and Sunday twenly-nino German aeroplanes were brought down, nnd UiO tons of explosives dropped on enemy depots, convoys and (roops."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuler. I