The sun., 1917-10-25
FOE AT MERCY
OF FRENCH GUNS;
RETREAT NEAR
Aisne Victory. Won by Sur
prise, Staggering Blow
to Germans.
KEY RIDGE CAPTURED
Valley to Laon Now Easy Con-
gupst-Toll Of Prisoners
Set at 5000.

LONDON. Oct. 24--Yesterdsy's great
drive OF the French on the Aisne front
appears TO have dealt a staggering blow
to the enemy. In addition 10 the heavy
German casualties and the more than
5000 men made prisoners the straight.
en'ng Of the salient above Soissons has
given Gen. Petain's army command Of
can be shelled to great advantage. The
drive appears 10 have been COMPLETE
surprise to the foe. The yictors captured
seventy heavy guns, thirty mine throw
ers and eighty machine guns.
The army of the Crown Prince made
no attempt at counter attacks. although
on the Verdun front. around Hin 3A, a
violent thrust was made at the French
positions At one point some temporary
success was gained here. hut finally the
Teutons were driven out and the limo
was recstablished In its entirety.
Foe ~ Mercy Of French.
Gen. Fetains capture of Fort Mai
maison Is considered Of special siEni1-
cance. as II ,s the key TO the whole ridge
extending to Craonne. Tho Germa n
positions now can be enfladed. both
along the Chsmne des Danes and at
.Ainzy-fe-t nateau. white the valley to
Laon lies open in front and can he swept
by the big French guns. 4 German
strategic retreat is considered pos
sibilty Of the early future
Berlin admits the loss Of the villages
~ Allemant aud rhavisnon and says
The fArrifpr&
tenahle.. although claiming 20 have
stopped the French advance by the use
Of reserves. Loss of several batteries Is
conceded.
On the British front In Flanders the
enemy again attached the allied po-
s!tions In Houtholst wood. making an
attempt last night against the point Of
Junction Of the British and French
forces The German crort ended in
signal failure
An OFFICIAL statement issued to-day
saysNeNer German counter attacks have
been made since the advance of Field
Marshal Haig's mon on October 90. and
that all have failed A successful raid
was carried out last night. Gloucester
troops blowing up number of dug
outs and taking prisoners and machine
guns. southeast OF Cavrelle.
RiR Captures Made.
The French ofYicial statement tonight
says:
North ~ the Aisne tho German ar
'illery was particularly active in the
sector Of La Royere-Les Bovettes and
in the region of Fort Dc Malmai ison
on our new front, which extends from
Mont dcs Sinses Monkey Hill). which
We have occupied in its entirety. ~
Thavignon. Tho enemy attempted no
infantry action
Patrols sent out by us In TN" region
of Chavignor and Vaudesson have
brought back a grea: number Of pris-
oners.
j, IL confirmed that tanks 'chars
d'assauD. played an important role In
yesterdays attack.
The number Of prisoners taken since
Yesterday exceeds 5000. OF the ma
terial left in our hands, which VIC will
not be able to inventory before several
days, II has been possible UP to tn"
present TO count only 20 cannon, 80
mnnenwerfer and so machine guns.
In Champagne. in the region or the
Monts, We succ.ssfully carried ont two
surprise attacks the first northeast or
Prinay. the second AT Mont Haui. and
brought back about fifteen prisoners
ON the right bank Of the Meuse th"f"
we're spirited artillery actions IN the
region of SamogucuX. Nacherauvill".
Chaunie Wood and west o' pouau-
mont