Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-03
Impossible to Delimit Ter
rain Given Up to
Petain's Forces.
PROBABLY FALLING BACK
UPON LAON, THE CAPITAL
Apparently Tired of Terrible Or
deal Forced to Undergo From
French Guns and Infantry.
FIGHTING ON THE TAGLIAMESTo
Teutonic Troops on East and Cador-
mas Army on Western
Side Of Stream.
IRy Associated Pr.ss.l

rBy Associated Press.l
The Germans have retreated from
points along the historic Chemin- -dea-
Danes. sector on the Aisne front in
France. where for several months the
French troops OF General Pctain had
been keeping them sharply to task.
Just where the retrogradc movement
took place and how far II extends can
not yet be told. as tho German official
communication announcing IL merely
says that the "Teutons. unnoticed and
undisturbed by the enemy" systematic
ally withdrew their lines from the hilly
front in this region. The entire line
to tho north of the Aisne, where the
Germans were last reported az facing
tho French. is undulating IN character
from the Soissons sector eastward to
the vicinity OF Craonne, and therefore
II Ia impossible. from the rather terse
acknowledgcme of withdrawal. to
delimit the terrain which has been
given up.
Nevertheless. IL seems apparent that
the Germans, tired OF the terrible or
deal they had been forced to undergo
for some time from the French artil-
lery and violent infantry attacks. have
decided to fall back upon Laon. capi-
tai OF the Department Of the Aisne
which. with it's network Of railways
has been the quest Of the French II
Is possible. and seemingly probable
that the withdrawal OF the Germans
Will compel also tho falling back Of
the German forces in the turn OF the
battle line In this region running
northward to st. Quentin. il indeed. 1t
does not AFFECT the German positions
as far north as Arras.
ENEMY NOT YET ABLE
TO CROSS TAGLIAMENro
On the Italian front the Austro-
German forces and Italians are in COM
bat along the middle and lower regions
of the Tagliamento River with the
Teutonic forces on the east and Cen
eral Cadorna's army on the western
side OF the stream. AS fas as Is known.
the enemy has not yet been able to
cross the river. which is In frcshct.
but 1t seems apparent that from the
Carnic Alps south along the battle limo
to the head Of the AdriatIc the Italians
now are holding their new line OF de-
tense securely
Meantime. with the Italians waiting
for eventualities on the eastern Friuli
plains, the sentiment in Italy among
{pll classes is seethinG with patriotic
.ervor. with even the old Garibaldi
veterans and men invaiided home as
result of injuries In the present war
desiring 10 rush to the scene OF hos
tilitiea and lend their aid in repelling
n further invasion.
On the other fronts there has been
no engagement of great Importance
The British carried out minor opera
tions for gains west OF Passchendaele
and southeast of Poelcnpelle. In both
Of which prisoners were captured. 10
the east OF Ypres the German guns
have been violently Smelling the British
line.
Although. according to the Russian
Premier. Russia Is war-worn and be-
,lieves she has the right to claim that
the allies now should take the heaviest
part OF the burden off her shoulders.
the new republic has no intention to
declare herself out of the war. Help.
he said. was urgently needed. espe-
ciaily In the form OF money and sup
plies. He appealed to the world not
to lose faith In the Russian revolution