The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-10-23
GOOD PROGRESS
is REPORTED IN
FIRST DASH BY
The INFANTRY
May Develop Into An
Operation of the First
Magnitude
GERMANS PREVENT
ED FROM LANDING
Land Operations Not Pro-
crossing AS Favorably
AS Naval Movement
AERIAL ACTIVITY IN
FLANDERS CONTINUE
British Drop Seven Tons
Of Explosives On Air
dromes and Stations
GERMANS PREVENT
ED FROM LANDING
AERIAL ACTIVITY IN
FLANDERS CONTINUE
(Assoclated Press war snmmarv.l

(Associated Press War Summary
What may prove to be an opera
ton OF first rate Importance was
initiated by General PetaiH early to-
day in the Aisne region northeast OF
Scissors.
Along a front approximately
three miles in extent tho French
infantry dashed forward, attacking
the salient in the German line which
curves about its southwestern key
stone, the Fortress of Laon.
Fort De La Malmaison, the Ger
man stronghold, which baffled the
French in last springs attack, bar
ring their way TO the westerly end
Of the Chemis -des- Danes, is appar-
emily one Of the immediate detectives
OF the offensive. For days past the
big French guns have been hammer
ing this front heavily, both the Paris
and Berlin reports Indicating that
some major movement was ln
preparation.
Good progress was reported early
in the day by General Petain, the
French forcing their way forward
along the whole front Of the at
tack.
The taking OF Fort De La Malmai-
SON would materially aid in the push
ing Of an attack on Laon in an at
tempt to turn the German line I'm
this region, although IL has been
considered probable that the main
blow in such an attack would be
struck further to the east, where tie
back door road to LaOn offers SUI
perior tactical advantages.
Virtually all the ground gained in
yesterdays offensive in Flanders has
been retained by the entente forces.
At only one point. in the southern
part OF Houtholst wood, were the
Germans able TO regain any ground
in counter attacks and here it was
only a single British post that was
pushed back a short distance. The
ground won was consolidated along
the remainder OF the front.
On Eastern Front.
On the eastern front the attempted
German operations on the Esthonian
mainland north Of the Gulf or Riga
apparently have not progressed as
favorably as the naval prelude and
the hghttng for possession OF the out
lying islands. Petrograd today re-
ports that an effort by the Germans
TO effect a second landing on the
coast about eight miles north OF
Werder, where they first put troops
ashore, was frustrated by the Rus
SLAMS.
Fifteen German fighting ships, in
cluding two dreadnoughts, were put
out Of action by the Russians last
week in and around the islands at
the head OF the Gulf OF Riga. The
Russian admiralty says the ultimate
fate OF the larger ships is not known,
but that IL has been established the
Germans lost at least six torpedo
boats.
OeseI, Moon and Dago islands are
held by the Germans. who claim al
so the capture of 10000 prisoners,
100 guns and war material.
An unofficial report from Stock
holm says the Germans have gather
ed a large number Of submarines and
destroyers in the waters around east
ern Denmark In anticipation OF an
attempt by an entente fleet to force
its way into the Baltic.
Minor operations undertaken by
the French and British yesterday
from Poeleapelle northward to the
Houtholst forest were most success
full. Heavy casualties were inflicted
on the Germans and Field Marshal
Haig reports the capture OF 200
prisoners.
English Score Advance.
East of Poelcapelle English troops
captured strongly fortified buildings
mile and a half and southeast OF the
village other appreciable gains were
made. From the Ypres- Staden rail-
way to the HOuthoIst forest the Brit-
ish and French advanced their lines
on ca two mile front beyond the
southern boundary OF the forest. The
southern defenses of the forest and
other strong points were lost 20 the
Germans. Near the center OF the at
tacking front. astride the Ypres-
Staden railway, the Germans made
attacks and checked British
Berlin officially says that. on the
Menin- -Ypres road southeast Of
Ypres, strong British attacks broke
down completely" Neither Field
Marshal Haig nor newspaper CORES
pondents report any effort Of moment
on the Menin- Ypres road, which Is
hve and one-half miles south of
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