Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-03-20
ALLIES CONTINUE
PURSUIT OF FOES
THROUGH France
French annd British Armies
Make New Advances and
Harry Retreating Forces
of the Germans.
USE CAVALRY TO CHASE
British and French Armies Re-
capture Many Towns and Re-
gain Much Territory.
ENTENTE LOSSES LIGHT

London, March 19.-The British ad-
vance still is being pushed rapidly,
further large gains being recorded in
the official report from British head
quarters in France tonight.
THE pursuit OF the enemy" says
the report, Continued today, our cav
airy and advance guards driving back
the enemy's rear guards. The ground
gained extends for a depth of from
two to eight miles and forty more vii
lagos have fallen into our hands"
French Column Advances.
Paris, March l9.-The French troops
have occupied about twenty additional
villages and small towns in their ad-
vance on the retreating Germans.
They have go enebyond Ham on the
Somme river and Chauny on the
Oisne, which brings them appreciably
nearer to the St. QuentinL Laon line.
The German line at last accounts
was in full retreat over a section
which represents almost one-fifth of
the vast front from Switzerland to
the sea, closely pressed by the French
and British. French troops, advanc-
ing with the precision of a machine,
along a forty-mile front has re-
captured important towns and many
square miles of territory, accomplish
ing this at small cost to themselves,
so carefully has every detail of the
advance been thought out.
In the Lassigny region west of
Roye the Germans appear to have
made, only a weak defense, since the
French were able to push forward
thirteen miles at one bound. Cen
eral Nivelle, the French commander,
who is credited with possessing al-
most uncanny ability to guage the
powers of his opponents, is following
up the retreating Germans with great
rapidity. 1t is regarded here as doubt
ful whether the Germans will find it
feasible to offer serious resistance be
fore reaching the basic line of de-
Tense between Lille and scissors, two
days march from where they no. are.
Two Departments Cleared.
Tomorrow or the day after two
entire French departments, those of
the Oise and Aisne, will be liberated
from the German invader, according
to reports from the fighting front.
The total territory new regained is
calculated at 620 square miles.
Paris, March l9.-Tomorrow or the
day after two entire French depart
ments, those of the Oise and Aisne,
will be liberated from the German
invader, according to reports from the
ngh.ing front. The total territory
now rcgained is roughly calculated at
90 square miles,
The nature Of the ground over
which the Germans retreated was al
most all against them and they were
harred by cavalry, which is now be-
ing used i'll force for the first time
since the battle of the Marnc.
At 4 few points where mature Of
fcrcd al opportunity for resistance
the Germans tried to make stand
and iell back only after considerable |
lighting.
Military Writer Optimistic.
: The newspapers are overjoyed at
the lit Grafton of such an extent of
territory. Henri Bidou one of the
best known military writers, says:
Our troops are advancing to vic
tory, which long waiting in under
ground holes and trenches, spreads
its young wings in the broad light
OF day, which it sees again"