Between the Marne and Reims there has been desperate fighting
in the woods and low hills to the west of the Montagne de Reims Up to Wednesday, the French, here assisted by Italian troops, had fallen back no more than six miles in the centre west of Nanteiiil, where the enemy's design is to pierce between Reims and Epernay. The line close to Reims was firmly held. On the banks of the Marne, the enemy, with his back to Paris, was pushing slowly towards Epernay. He took Montvoisin, five miles from that town, on Tuesday, lost it the same night, retook it and again lost it on Wednesday. His further progress up the Marne would unduly narrow the Reims salient, but the local situation, though critical, may be retrieved. Local successes, however considerable they may appear, will not compensate the enemy for the failure of his grand offensive as a whole. His defeat in Champagne on Monday ruined the scheme.
