New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-17
Win New Ground Less
than a Miles from
Stronghold.
1000 PRISONERS
TAKEN IN 2 DAYS
Heavy Counter Attacks
Beaten Back on
SOmme.
By cabl. 70 Tbs Tribune J

London. Sept. 16.-Haig's troops,
without pausing after their great
oFort Yesterday, are forging onward
North Of the Somme. They won
more positions south of the Ancre
todsv and are now less than four
niles from Bapaume, the objective
toward which they have been striv-
ipp for the last ten weeks.
More than 1000 prisoners were
taken Yesterday and to-day in the
bssvv stroke. This in itself is en-
Indication Of the extent of the Brit
IN success. The quickness with
which the blow was carried out lett
the Germans little time to escape.
Along the six-mile front from Fo'
ziere. to Combles the British have
nusbed forward from one to two
miles in the last two days. This has
Wrought them beyond the high
Ground which resisted their advance
for the last month. The way is now
oDen for a wider offensive.
British Take 100 Prisoners.
The Germans made only feeble Ell
forts at counter attacks. These were
thrown back easily and the British
resumed the advance to-day, taking
an additional 100 prisoners. Ber-
lin admits that Flers, Martinpuicn
and Courcelette were lost. And this
J., an admission that the first OF the
now defence lines has been smashed
Vaig', success enables the French to
m.b forward on both sides OF the
Somne by bringing mis- front on line
win Foch's. Fayolle made some prog
ross north OF Bouchavesnes, thus tight
e,irc his grip on the Bapaume-Peronne
road and preparing the way for the IN
ser,ion OF d new wedge between those
important towns.
Another French blow on large
scale seems d thing Of the near future
The Allied. hammer struck first north
Of ,he Somme and then south Of the
Somne. -uccessively, gaining each time.
y,e moment has almost come when q
gres, combined drive can be set IN mo-
ton
The message Of congratulatIon King
George sent 10 General Halg, interpret
ing the British success as an omen OF
certain victory, shows how important
the advance is considered. London seems
brighter and happier to-day than Al
any time since the opening OF the
Sorme offensive. Even exchange on
Switzerland has been keyed up TO
point Just above normal.
German Attacks Weak.
Dc greatest significance are reports
from The front that the German counter
attacks nave lost most Of their elan.
EYen the German artillery has dlmin-
ished in volume. and the kaiser's vaunt-
Cd guns must now be content 20 play
second fiddle % the insistent tones OF
me Allied cannon.
An explanation Of this diminution IN
German ygor is found in the TACT that
ihe Allie. have won dominating posi-
tons which command the slopes run
nlrg toward Bapaumc. Before yester-
csy's sssauIt the British had 10 charge
against heights Now they hold the
upper ground, from which their guns
esn sweep the German defences.
Acros Great Md 20 Allies.
The efficient work o. the British aero
Planes a.sO has contributed % this re-
s-t. They nave Won the upper hand
y ne battle for mastery o. the air.
!heir work Of reconnaissance inter
isres greatly with the German long
rsrgs guns.
Nore than ~. 900 guns, it is estimat-
so' have been nassed By the Germans
'pposte the British positions. But
Mtte we're able 20 accomplish little, 50
complete rad been Haig's artillery prep
$i~ion. IT, the counter attacks they
s1Fs been kept under control b. the
Dithh gunner and airmcu.
LONDON is extremely interested In
We new srnored motor cars. Addition
report from the front state that
,sy have been found extremely ef-
.stliFe al means Of combating the en-
~ machine guns. ire weapons which
y~i death Do charge against trenches.
nst fnccfss may mean the opening Of
Ash phase in trench warfare.