THE MARNE SALIENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16909, 23 July 1918, Page 4

THE MARNE SALIENT.

The difficulties of the German forces in the salient between Soissons and Rheims are increasing. Allied pressure on both flanks continues, especially on the western side, where tho advance has now reached a maximum of eight miles and a-half. Only by sacrificing forces freely is the enemy able to maintain his positions and even tho payment of a high price has not enabled him to hold the head of the salient as the base has been pinched in. First camo the retirement over the Marne and now the recapture of Chateau Thierry and country to the north is announced, indicating that the Germans are relaxing their hold of the northern bank of the river. In a smaller way the German excursion over the Marne appears to have been as disastrous as the Austrian passage of the Piave. It is certain that both the advance and tho retreat were very costly operations, and that the movement entirely failed in its object. The semipfficial German explanation that this was a diversion is obviously lacking in candour. It was an advance which appeared to be perilous, but it doubtless depended on a German success east or west of Rheims to cover it and to open up the way for a general movement to the southward. When the German offensive failed it left the troops on the south bank of the Marne in an exposed position of no present value. The withdrawal and the French counteroffensive have combined to prepare a rather difficult problem for the German genera! staff. Retirement from the' salient, which not only brought the enemy nearer Paris but nearer the large-scale battle he has been attempting to precipitate, must be a bitter pill, and will produce an uncomfortable reaction in Germany. Yet the only alternative is maintaining a position which is militarily unsound and will become precarious unless the French advance can be stopped. The Gorman staff appears to be ruled for the moment by the military necessity rather than the politically expedient, and is yielding considerable ground at the head of the salient while offering a stout resistance towards the base. There is no evidence so far that the German retirement is either precipitate or uncontrolled, but there is still a possibility that the French may be able to burst in one side of the triangle and cut off the forces which are fighting towards the apex.