Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 43, Number 232, 10 August 1918 — Page 10

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM, SATURDAY, AUG. 10, 1918. tended a family reunion at the home of his' parents at Hizer's Station Tuesday evening Mrs. Levi Green leaves for Battle Creek, Mich., Thursday for a short visit with her sod, Lieut Roy. L. Green and wife Mr and Mrs. Oliver Fiant and family will spend Sunday in Arlington, the guests of friends.. ...Mrs. Carl Glidewell of Indianapolis, is spending several days with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Lyons.. . . .Mrs. Cort Troxell was the guest of her sister, Mrs. Sam Jobe, Wednesday afternoon. Hun's Latest Defeat Means Handing Over Initiative to Allies THE SECOND BIG ALLIED VICTORY By HILAIRE BELLOC Author of "Elements of the Great War" and Britain's Most Distinguished Military Critic FREIGHT CARS RE-ROUTED.

PAGE TWELVE

To understand the retreat which has filled the news of the last few days we must concentrate our attention upon the events of Thursday, Aug. 1. That day was exactly a fortnight after the strategical position in the West had been completely reversed by the surprise inflicted upon the enemy between the Aisne and Chateau Thierry on the morning of July 18. It will be remembered that the extreme left of the battle line near Soissons, which had been watched by enemy forces, which were inferior both in quantity and quality, as being presumably safe from attack, was unexpectedly struck at dawn of that day by French and American troops under command of Generals Mangin and de Goutte. Advancing without artillery preparation and with the use of a great number of tanks, these troops forced the whole defensive zone and arrived on their extreme left at the hill of Paris overlooking Soissons a result which at once cut two of the enemy's main arteries by rail and road and threw him suddenly upon the defensive. Situation Turned Inside Out. To repeat the phrase already used In this connection, the strategical situation was turned Inside out, like a glove. All enemy dispositions for his great offensive were wasted. He was now upon the defensive and in a difficult position, with some thirty-five divisions packed in a semicircular area not much more than twenty-five nines across. In that comparatively small space, with only four roads for avenues of supply and retirement, he had to try to maintain more than a third of a million of infantry with other troops, which made the total nearly half a million. Instead of rapidly making up his mind to cut his losses and fall back the enemy, perhaps for political reasons and perhaps because of some confusion in the Higher Command, changed his policy several times in the space of one week. First he began retirement; then he summoned fresh divisions from the north in a determination to hold, at least tem

porarily, as much of the salient as

possible. This only increased his con-1 gestion and added heavily to his loss-

es, for the allied pressure was too much for him, and he had to give way step by step. Tl, Ka AAnlncy ftf Tlllv 51 Via' Vl a H

raar'hoH a 1 in a whlrh lnnkprl an thoueh TtW

he could hold for a very considerable j time, and which he certainly intend- i ed to hold. It was a series of posi- j p tions which were strong because they , fnllnworl thn Hhpt fiTnund of the i 35

district. The line first ran along the 1 4 high bare plateau Above the Crise j

uruuii, UU nuiLU uo uiutu ui mo artillery hidden; then it went around Just north of Fere-en-Tardenois, passing just over the rounded open summit of all this countryside, which is known as Hill 205 and stands just north of the village of Rozcy beyond Fere; going eastward it faced the American troops in the centre and held them at Cierges and Seringes and so followed up to Ville-en-Tarden-ols and the eastern front against the Mountain of Rhelms, which hitherto had hardly changed. Generally speaking, this line folio, ed the watershed between the basin of the Marne and the basin of the Aisne. It forbade any direct observation by the Allies over the country beyond the enemy's lines, where his congested columns of supply and retirement were at work. It made a screen behind which he could make his dispositions at leisure. Americans Upset German Plan nut on Thursday, Aug. 1, came the second of the great strategic points secured by the Allies in this battle. Two simultaneous attacks on ground which had been exactly chosen by the Allies' Higher Command determined what was to follow. In the first place, the American troops made themselves masters of Seringes and Cierges. This operation was very important, because it took place at the extremity of the salient, where it was easiest, and where a sudden disturbance of the German plans would most seriously affect their difficult supply problems, which had already strained their transport. It is clear that if, of many positions you are holding, one is furthest from your base and requires a greater length of road up which to pass stores and munitions and down which to evacuate wounded men and empty lorries, the crushing in of that position will cause greater congestion behind your lines than would the crushing in of any other position with less distance between it and the railhead. That was the situation of the Ser-inges-Cierges front and its neighborhood. The American success at this point increased immediately by an appreciable amount the already almost intolerable strain upon the German communlcatious behind the line. But a blow was simultaneously delivered to the left, which was necessary to complete the result, and it was the success of this blow which determined the issue. I have mentioned the heights known as Hill 205, just above Kozoy. It lies northeast of Fere, upon the very summit of the watershed and about seven miles northeast, or left, of Seringes. It is a bare, flattish lump of open corn land with the following local advantages of position: First It enfilades the Crise valley below. Any one standing on the summit of Hill 205 can see right down into the gun positions the enemy occupied in this valley. Second It gives direct observation over the bare plateau beyond the Crise, which flanks the city of Soissons, and the occupation of which by the enemy has hitherto prevented the town from being entered by the French. Commands Roads Of the Enemy

Third, and most important It gives

the Vesle. One can see Braisne, and further oft the higher buildings of Fismes, about twelve miles away. But the essential point of this advantage of observation is not that one can see the valley of the Vesle or the distant tawns upon It, but that one commands quite half of all the enemy's roads. One has direct observation over the single railway line which supplies him, and over great sections of the roads which lead back into the Vesle valley, and which, throughout this action, were packed with his columns of munitionment and troops. Hill 205 at the beginning of this operation was nearly two miles from the most advanced Allied .post and about 106 feet above them. There stood between the Allies and the crest , the village of Rozoy, and above it the long, perfectly bare open slopes of fields without hedges or woods to where the summit showed like a flat hummock against the sky. The attack was delivered by the French and British troops, the French upon the left, if I am not mistaken, and the British upon the right. The tactic employed was a repetition on a smaller scale of that which had proved so successful on July 18. It was supported, or rather led, by a

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 As an evidence of the progress being made toward hauling freight over the shortest routes, the railroad administration reported today that within about two months 6,999 cars were re-routed in the west, with a reduction in the haul of 1,754,641 car miles, or an average reduction in the haul per car of 195 miles.

The map shows how the Allies won, their second big victory of the Marne campaign on August 1, the heavy black line indicating the battlefront. The area (1) points to where American troops crushed in the point of the German salient and area (2) to where French and British divisions captured the dominating Hill 205: The result of these successes was to make the line of Crise and the plateau beyond, which defended Soissons, untenable, and to force the Germans into hurried retreats to the Vesle from positions they had expected to hold for days.

er he would try to maintain his resistance or resign himself to a general retreat. There was no time for divided counsels nor for hesitation, such as had already cost him so heavy a price in the immediate past. He

must either recover the lost height by

organizing an immediate counter at-

large number of small tanks, which tack on a tremendous- scale and with

have proved so successful a type of instrument; it was served by a dense barrage, behind which the infantry advanced. Final Capture of Hill 205. The success was complete, although it involved very hard fighting. The slope was gradually mastered, and apparently some time in the afternoon the Allies stood upon the height for the first time since the battle began, a fortnight ago. They looked down everywhere, northward and westward, over the country within the salient through which the enemy must retire. This capture of Hill 205 was thus of capital importance and, coupled with the capture of Seringes, it decided the issue. On the nightfall of August

. ; 1 the enemy had to determine wheth-

dubious chances of success or he must everywhere fall back to the Vesle, at least, and even beyond the Vesle perhaps even beyond the Aisne. He must, in especial, give up that high bare plateau which commanded Soissons. This time his decision was rapidly arrived at. During all Thursday night his tired troops were given no rest, but were marched back as rapidly as

j possible behind cover or rear guards,

which themselves were beginning to fall back before dawn broke. Contact was not lost with this movement. Allied troops followed it up closely, and the whole of Friday and Saturday was filled with the rapid retirement of the Germans. One of the first incidents of this movement was the curiously precipitate abandonment of Soissons when

the plateau above was being ungar-, Aisne to the north and about 300 feet

risoned during Thursday night; the German troops holding Soissons, must of course, been told that they would

have to fall back as well. But through.! can

some cause of delay with which we are not acquainted, the movement was imperfectly executed, and French troops under General Vilmost finding some confusion among the enemy on the outskirts of the town, fought their way in and were in possession of the whole place, with a number of prisoners in their hands, in the early part of the afternoon. The enemy was thus compelled to fall back everywhere upon the western side of the salient and necessarily had to withdraw upon the eastern side also. Gueux and Tbillois were already given up early on Friday, and by Saturday the enemy appears to have been standing everywhere upon the Vesle, or, rather, to have been crossing that river. There remain two policies for the Germans in the immediate future in this neighborhood. They can either stand upon their prepared position along what are called the Heights of the Vesle. between that river and the

above water level, and then carry on to the westward, holding the heights just above the Aisne valley, or they

fall back to the ridge of the

Chemin des Dames, which is the strongest position on the whole front. If they choose the former course they will have the disadvantage that their line of defense is not continuous. It is broken by the Aisne valley and the communication between the two parts is imperfect On the other hand, their front will form an unbroken line without any bulge, right away from their positions near the Argonne, past Rheims and past Soissons, and so westward. If they fall back to the ridge of the Chemin des Dames north of the Aisne, where there are already strong positions three years old and with all of which they are intimately acquainted, the disadvantage is that they will have to fall back in the Champagne also though that is only a disadvantage while the advantage is that they will be in the very strongest posture for defence that they could find anywhere.

WATCtOOJNIX Mrs. Thomas Merril and little son are spending a few day with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wright Stelle Charles Guthrie was taken very ill Sunday and required the services of a physician for several hours Ralph Farr and wife and Basil Bell and wife motored to Orleans, Ind., Sunday for a few days' visit with Mr. Farr's sister. Mrs. Talbott Misa Otta Greene of Chicago is spending the week with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Levi Greene Mrs. John Lyons and daughters, Mildred and Gladys, spent Monday with Mrs. Forrest Caldwell Mrs. Ross Petty spent Monday evening with Mrs. L. N. Graen Mrs. D. E. Trusler and Mrs. Vinton Broadders were the Sunday guests of Mrs. J. E. Caldwell The Waterloo Red Cross unit met at the home of Mrs. Caldwell Monday and Tuesday afternoons. Fourteen ladies were present despite the intense heat and accomplished much work Ross Petty and family at-

The wages of able British seamen are now $60 a month and food, as against $25 before the opening of the war.

CUHCIIRA HEALS

NRAMED ECZEMA

On Face and Arms. Spread Rapidly. Caused Itching and Loss of Sleep. Trouble Lasted Three Weeks. Used One Cake of Soap and t , One Box of Ointment. f-A "Eczema broke out on my face and , arms and spread rapidly. At first it was only in little red spots, but later it took the form of sore eruptions. These blotches caused a burning sensation and my skin was inflamed and sore. The eruption caused itching, and I lost sleep. "This trouble lasted about threeweeks. Then I wrote for a free sam- -pie of Cuticura Soap and Ointment. I felt so much better that I bought a cake of Cuticura Soap and a box of Ointment and after using them short time I was com pletely healed. "( Signed ) Miss Almeta Eckes, 513-20th Ave. N Minneapolis, Minn June 23, 1917. Cuticura Soap and Ointment tend to prevent pimples, rashes, etc., if used for every-day toilet purposes. They are ideal for the complexion because so delicate, creamy and fragrant. Sample Each Frea by Mail. Addre postcard: "Caiicara. Dept. R.Beatoa." Sold everywhere. Soap 25c. Ointment 25 and 50c

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2065 jjjl Dnltnlfl Ay

To be smartly coated is to be ready for every "On the spur of the moment" occasion in the winter months motoring, walking, driving. This Wooltex coat is a garment for these occasions. No. 2065 Price $65.00 0

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One welcomes the smart, jaunty effect this coat gives to the figure. Burella cloth is the material in black, navy, khaki and ruby. No. 2046. Price

$35.00

nusbau:

Assured styles for Fall and Winter in Wooltex Coats and Suits Annual Wooltex August Coat Event Six days, offering unsurpassed opportunities for selecting your Fall Wooltex coat early Monday & All Next Week YOU ARE PROMISED A RARE THRIFT OPPORTUNITY IN THE ANNUAL AUGUST EXHIBITION OF Wooltex Fall Coats 0000000000000000000000 This sale is of special nterest to the woman who wants in her Fall coat assured smart style in choice fabrics unobtainable later in the season and at saving prices. To every alert woman who attends this exhibition of clever models, originated and designed at the Wooltex Fifth Avenue Studio, we say be prepared to select your Fall coat now. Later you will be envied by those who waited and were disappointed on account of the extreme scarcity of the most desirable fabrics.

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You will learn the pleasing truth that these Exhibition Wooltex Coats as usual only of all-wool fabrics are based on cloth prices prevailing months ago, and not to be duplicated at present market values. Wooltex and our refusal to profiteer, reward our alert patrons with this limted and exclusive opportunity to purchase, during this August Exhibition Sale, coats of youthful style and grace at seven to ten dollars saving. We have refrained purposely from elaborate descriptions of these artistic garment productions. We

prefer that you judge at a personal inspection. See these exquisitely tailored styles of youthful, graceful lnes in Fall colors most desired feel the truly scarce and precious fabrics then note the thrifty prices rare these days. Knowing as you do the real lasting merit of Wooltex garments and our opportunity to select the choicest styles from the fashon leaders of America we want you to believe that these assured styles created at the Wooltex Studio represent our best appeal to the fashionable taste of this community.

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One really longs for a ticket to the matinee as this coat is tried on it's so suggestive of theatre parties and afternoon teas. No 2050. Price

$75.00 00

$35, $40, $45, $50 to $95 WHILE THEY LAST

LEE B. NUSBAU

'The store that sells Wooltex Coats and Suits"

JmT 2060 w ve 1 a

This is really a patriotic woolconserving coat of all wool fabric, even though it has a loose, full English effect. No. 2060. Price

$5,5.00

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