The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-03
BIG HUN RETREAT

continued from Page One.)
proaches to Laon. keystone of the
German western front at its south
westerly bank.
Withdrew ''Unnoticed."
The German statement says the
troops of the German crown prince
systematically withdrew their lines
"unnoticed and undisturbed by the
enemy
Even if they have only withdrawn
across the Ailette it is not unlikely
because of General Petain's success
full drive of last week when he reached
the Oise-Aisne canal eight miles
southwest of Laon and captured more
than 10000 prisoners. From the po-
sitions gained then the French could
and did lombard the Germans cling
ing to the hilly strip between the
Chemin des Danes and the Ailette.
l. The hills / the northern bank of
the Ailette generally are not as high
as those on the south and the crown
prince may have gone back to the line
of the River ArdOn which runs south
west from Laon and joins the Ailette
north of Chavignon.
+ The retirement might include I.aon,
the reputed southern citadel of the
Hindenburg line of last March, but
if the front of the Ailette is given up
a line from st. Quentin thru Lafere
Laon and Montaige to Neufchatel-Sur-
Aisne along the railroad between La
fere and Neufchatel might offer a
good hating place. A retirement only
to the northern bank of the Ailette
between Chavignon and Craonne
might not affect the line from Chavig-
non north to st. Quentin but a further
retreat would involve the present
lines as far as Lafere at least on
the eastern end of the Chemin des
Danes, if the retirement is not made
secure quickly, there is the possibility
of French blow in Champagne
which might straighten out the en-
tire front from Craonne to Verdun
General Cadorna has halted on the
western bank of the Tagliamento, mo-
mentarily at least, to face the on
coming Austro-Germans. The eastern
bank of the river, Berlin reports has
been cleared of Italians from the Fella
valley where the Tagliamento turns
westward near Tolmezzo to the
Adriatic.
Italians guns are bombing the in
vaders along the new line, but appar-
emily no attempt has yet been made
by the Austro- Germans to force a
crossing of the river.
There are no indications as to the
Whereabouts of the Austro- Germans
reported driving thru the Carnic Alps
early in the week in an attempt to turn
/ the flank of hurrying troops and guns
into the Trentino. This might mean
| either to strengthen the Austrians
/ Trentino in an attempt to cut off the
Italians now on the Venetian plains
Count Won Hertling. it is announced
officially from Berlin, has been ap-
| pointed imperial German chancellor in
succession to Michae1is, who retires to
another but unnamed official posi-
ton. The new chancellor apparently
| has the support of all the reichstag
! elements except the Socialists and the
| Conservatives. The Socialists, how
ever, will give no active opposition
until the counts policies are known
more clearly.
French Reach AiIette River.
Paris, Nov. 3.-Concerning the
French follow up of the German re-
! treat, the war office today announces:
an the course of the night our
troops continued to make progress be-
tween the Disc canal and the region
of Crobey and reached the south bank
| of the Ailette river over this entire
front. (Friday nights official French
communication in which the begin
ming of this movement evidently was
announced has not been received. }
The enemy has retired to the north
bank of the river, whose bridges and
footbridge were cut.
Artillery fighting continues vigor-
ously in the sector of Chavignon and
at certain points in the region of the
plateau.
In material captured since October
% we have counted 200 heavy ane