FIGHTING TO GAIN TIME

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 269, 2 August 1918, Page 5

FIGHTING TO GAIN TIME

GERMAN TACTICS IN THE GREAT BATTLE

RELENTLESS 'PRESSURE BY TEE ALLIES

THE GERMANS UNEASY

YON EICHORN ASSASSINATED

Tliero arc no material developments in the Marno salient according to the war dispatches to-day. The lull in the heavy fighting has furnished the occasion for scjno interesting views by various commentators. It is pointed out by General Maurice that the- idea of pinching the enemy in the salient and making large captures of prisoners has never been a question in tho present operations. Apparently the idea has been to pursue a policy of wearing down tho enemy's offeusivo and recuperative powers by compelling him to make large sacrifices and by maintaining' a relentless pressure on his retiring front, giving no rest to his exhausted troops. Trench experts agreo that the present conflict is merely tho prelude to tho next great battle. Von Imdendorff has issued a statement for home consumption explaining that secret developments have delayed the projected attack on the British, but tho Allies aro keeping a close watch on tho enemy's movements. From'various sources come reports that the Germans are experiencing considerable anxiety over Kussiu. The rising tido of anti-German feeling, tho assassination of von Eichorn, Dictator in the Ukraine (reported to-day), the Czecho-Slovak advance, which now threatens Moscow, and Japanese-American intervention in. Siberia, all are agitating tho German mind—he is thinking furiously.

THE PRESSURE ON THE MARNE SALIENT ENEMY PLAYING FOR TIE THE ISSUES OF THE OFFENSIVE By '.Telegraph-Press Aejociation-Copyrijht. The French defeated four German counter-attacks at Or.]chr-18-C l "a'lcau'-Aus-.N.Z. Cable Assn. , , NIGHT ATTACKS ON THE AMERICANS BROKEN (Hoc. August 2, 0.20 a.m.) German attacks against thn American front overnight Americ'ins withdrew from tho village ol' Scringes, and tho Germans unsiispcc'.ingly jidvnne- . ed. When thoy had occupied (ho (own two companies of Americans attacked Tc il I i 31 s , or capturing , the on tiro forco of Germane.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY MAKING A DESPERAT E STAND. (Rec. August 5, 1.25 a.m.) :; London, August I -llio Times correspondent at American Headquarters reports that the Germans are making a most determined stand at Seringes and Sergy. They mounted rows of sunken machine-guns along the ridges on the north bank of 'tho Orucq and destroyed all bridges and mined the roads. Bayonet encounters continue in which the enemy is suffering heavily.—"The Times." . ' THE OFFICIAL REPORTS STRONG ATTACK ON THE FRENCH REPULSED ■ ■ M i London, July ,'!!, 1 p.m. A French communique states: "After a strong bombardment ihe Germans attacked our new positions cast of Oulchy-le-Chateau. Wo repulsed the assault and maintained our. lines intact. On the right bank of the Ourcq there ivero lively engagements north-east of l'ere-en-Tiirdenois. The village of Seringes passed from hand to hand, and was finally carried by an American counter-attack. There have been numerous enemy raids near Mesnil, St. Georges, east nf Montdidier, in tho Bois lo Pretre, on the right of tho Heuse, and in the Vosges. They were unsuccessful. We made a raid north-east of Perthes-le-lliirlu (Champagne)." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Heater. ! ' (Eec. August -1, 11.55 p.m.) London, August 1. A French communique states: "There have been artillery actions nlong the whole of the battlcfront between Montdidier and the Oise. An enemy α-nid north of Anthcuil was without result."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Kcuter. ' AMERICAN. POSITION IMPROVED >. London, July 31. An American oilicia! message states: "We repulsed a counter-attack after severe fighting un the Ourcq, and improved out position."—Aus,-i5".55. Cable Assn.Hetiter. ON THE BRITISH FRONT London, July 31. • Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We made siiccßMf-.il raids, and patrol encounters ocenrred in tho, neighbourhood of Jiothune a.v.<] on the northern 'icctor of our front. We drove off raiders south-west of La Basseo. The enemy's nrtillery is active on both fides of the Somite, and about tho Merriti and Kenmwl sectors."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeutcr. (Eec. August 1, 11.55 p.m.) London, August 1. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "There l:as been hostile artillery activity southwest of Albert and east of Eobecq."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Kculer. THE ENEMY'S REPORT . , 'Eec. August 2, 1.10 a.m.) Londw, .August 1. A wireless German olhcial report slates: "The enemy hns' , captured Morris. Franco-American attacks between Fere-en-Tardeiiois and Meuniore Wood broke down with sanguinary losses. We took '1000 prisoners during the past few days, making the total sinco July 15 more than 21,000."—Au5.-N.Z; • Cable Assu.lteuter. .COMMENT ON THE SITUATION EARLIER AIMS SUBMERGED BY DEVELOPMENTS (Eec. August 1, 0.'15 p.m.) Washington, July 31. General March, U.S. Chief of Stair, says; "Whatever object either eido hud at the beginning has been submersed by (he. developments of the lighting. The Allies no longer hope to entrap the enemy. Tho maximum of the German iretreat; totals fourteen miles, Ihus shortening the line by fifty-four miles, arid releasing Additional troops. , « General March added that (he Allies' solo object in their, operations on tho Mitrno salient wa3 to kill o s mnnv Germans as possible. ENEMY'S VITAL PROBLEM—TO GAIN TIME ~ London, July 31. boneral Maurice, writing in tho Daily Chronicle," says it has never been a question of pinching out the Germans in the Mnrno salient" w of tho Allies making a l.wge capture of prisoners. Tho greatest German difficulty hns been (he breakdown of the communications and the Allied pressure, which has not allowed relief to bo given to the exhausted troops. The dash and energy of the Americans has been the greatest factor. Whilo. the other armies are all more or less war-weary and contnin a high proportion of lads or middle-aged men, Ihe Americans are composed of tho pick of tho manhood of tho great nation. It is 'doubtful if tho enemy has yet got a completed defensive line on the Ardre or tlie Veslc He is still trying to gain time, heiico his sacrifices of men iu countcr-uttai-ks-Aub.-N-Z. Cable Assn. ' i

PRELUDE TO THE NEXT GREAT BATTLE London, July 31. Renter's Paris correspondent wnlcs: "Experts agree- that the present* hand-to-hand fighting is merely Ihe prelude to the next great battle. Tlio enemy is striving desperately to consolidate the front on both wings." A semi-oflicial report states (hat the Allies north of the Marno uro no longer facing isolated rearguards, but a continuous line of resistance, defend.*! by considerable force?. The enemy is busily reorganising his rear, but lie has not the least hope of revenge, either on this front or elsewhere.—liculcr. THE VALUE OF THE BUTTE DE CHALMONT „ , , ~,,.„ London, Jnlv 31. Keillor's correspondent at American Headquarters, wrilin" on Tuesday' evening, says: "The finite do Clmhnont has been the cenr.ro of enemy TcislVnce in the west of the salient. Its rapture by I he. Allies brings much needed nsfistanco to the Hank of the American line at Scringes. It will certainly be costly to take the Forest of Nesles, but there are nllernalive possibilities 'U\ tlio open ground west of the railway now that the lintte de'Cbalmont is in our hands. It is still impossible to estimate the enemy's enormous looses in munitions.. The forest roads are bordered with shells for miles, and dump;-, covering acres, piled to a man's height, have been discovered."—Eeuter. FOR HOME CONSUMPTION IN GERMANY VON LUDENU.ORFF EXPLAINS POSTPONEMENT OF -VTnCK ON BRITISH. (Rec. August 1, 7.40 p.m.) fn,-In, MarCel H "r" Wl i ito , S: '' V °" L - ml °' lllorlr ' in a semi-ofliciafnolc 'intended foi home consumption, declared that ni view of the new situation I he- Cierman , S Rr'Ti l ? compplled to postpone tor some time its decisive blow against ni- <>. hetle . r Sil >' s . JL Huhn ) t,IIS Postponement will be long or short, the Alhed Command is keeping a close watch on the enemy's intention*. It is probable that time will be required for the regrouping of his forces especially as Hie divisions from Russia, who are not inclined to fight in France, are back. Japanese-American intervention in Siberia, is causing the liveliest alarm in German-, and compelling a change in strategy. Von Hintze (Foreign Minisler) has arrived at German Main Headquarters, and is conferring with the commanders.—United Service. BOLSTERING UP THE [GERMAN MORAL • (Rec. August 2, 0.20 a.m.) iTie State Department's information from France i/\lmt The Gcnnuns are publishing an official note m the Press preparing (he people f the In no de eat, and forajasbng a new ohonsive atcr. There is no reference to the American the whole retreat. is ascribed to the Anglo-French attacks; which necese.uitc new tactical groupings. The retreat was only twelve mi es or thereft, ,Dd »f"Sf.% Tho people are begged to maintain confidence in von Hindenburg, despite the reverse— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH "BAG" FOR SEVEN MONTHS-14,500. Mr. Lan Macpl.erson (Under-Sceretaiy for War) staled in cl Cable Assn Ul ° Bl ' UiSh IrO ° PS hnd blteU U/M priso °™ thi" ynn'-AIS: THE WAR IN THE AIR (Rcc. August 1, 11.55 p.m.) ' ' Sir Douglas Ikig/e aviation report states: "Wo dropped 'of