Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-28
tBy Associated Pressl


FRANCE. October 27.-However great
may be the praise bestowed on the
French troops for the brilliance of their
victory over the Germans north of the
Aisne this week, It is too small an
appreciation of their herculean efforts
In the face OF one of the most difficult
tasks OF the war. This Is the opinion
not only of their Immediate chiefs. but
or all who have seen them at work.
Fronting them were the finest divisions
OF the German Crown Princes army,
occupying positions that were strongly
fortified, and having the keenest ap-
probation OF their value.
Notwithstanding this, the French not
only succeeded in attaining every OBJ
5ective, but exceeded the hopes Of tho
most sanguine. and advanced beyond
the appointed places. More than 1900
prisoners already have been counted
and sent to the rear. others are COM
ing In. and large groups still are hiding
in subterranean shelters. and their fate
can only be capture.
NOW DIGGING THEMSELVES
IN ALONG NEW FRONT
The French line now runs along the
southern side of the Aisne-Oise Canal
without a break from westward Of
Auxaillon to Hargny- Filain. while the
town of Filain has been completely
dominated. The correspondent to-day
watched the French infantrymen, who,
after four days of almost uninterrupted
fighting. were busily employed digging
themselves in along the new front.
Their extraordinary exertions had not
e1tlngulshed their good humor and
Willingness. Notwithstanding priva-
lions and suffering from weather con-
ditions. with Icy cold transforms
drcnching them at intervals. they
worked with pick and shovel as ener-
getically as they had done with rife
and grenade during tho furious battle.
Tho German artillery. which showed
activity last evening. was quietcr to-
day because the French batteries had
mastered 1t. The French superiority
in this arm Is demonstra; cd by the pro-
portion of shell wounds to bullet
wounds among the French wounded.
On this occasion only three men were
wounded by she'll splinters to one by
the bullet. as compared with the ratio
Of nineteen to one in the battle around
Verdun.
FRENCH NOW ABLE
TO ENFILADE GERMANS
The French guns now are able 10
enfilade the German positions in three
directions. namely. toward Brancour.
northwest OF Anizy -le-Chatcau and
along the valley to Laon. and through
the Ailette Valley. menacing the Ger
man lines on tho Chemin -des- Danes
ridge. The canal on the borders of
which the French advance rested is
dry. but forms natural line Of de-
Tense.
The bridges and locks had been de-
stroyed during previous artillery
fighting.
The Germans last night made a
strenuous effort to establish artillery
in the ravines behind the plateau, but
were greatly disconnected by the
French bombardment which left them
no respite and quickly siienced their
fire. The crown prince also hurried
up infantry re-enforccmcnts to help
his distressed Prussian Guard and
other divisions which had been badly
maulcd.
Prisoners taken from the Empress
Elizabeth Guard Regiment declared
they had been without food for three
days, and that all their officers retired
and left them without commanders to
Sohlihue THO SnlluB. ScNeu herman
divisions altogether were engaged in
the opening days battle. and when the
German commanders saw utter defeat
staring them in the face, they ordered
up. helter-skelter. other divisions from
long distances. One of these was re-
Gently brought from Galicia. and
reached the battle field in battalion
driblets, many OF which Immediately
were caught by the French fire or wera
captured, and the others merely added
to the disorganizatlon among the re-
firing German troops.
SURRENDER MORE READILY
THAN THE OTHER UNITS
The guards suffered very heavily. but
principally by being captured, for the
French noticed that they surrender I'll
more readily than the other units
Elements of five fresh German divi-
sions were observed at various posi-
lions on the front of the French to-
day, and the evident intention was
noticeable on the part Of the Germans
u Ty-..-