The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-18
Third of Massed Attacks Gains
TeutOns Nothing.
Today Decisive Battle Carried
Far Into Flanders.
BRITISH HOLD LANGEMARCK
Occupied 1t When Berlin False
ly Reported Recapture.
French Making Heroic Advance
To Free Belgium.

London, Aug. 1S.-For the third
day, German troops continued throw
ing masses of men against the newly
won British positions near Lens to-
day.
All counter-attacks were again COM
pletely repulsed after sharp fighting.
Field Marshal Haig reported.
few prisoners were taken, the
British commander reported
ITO the northwest of Lens, early
this morning, the enemy again coun-
ter-attacked our new positions"
Haig's tatement said. They were
completely repulsed after sharp fight
ing. few prisoners were taken here
and northwest of Ypres.
There was considerable artillery
ing during the night"
Next "a Hours Important.
The full force of the British and
French drive in Flanders may be de-
termined within the next twenty-four
hours.
Aside from German counter-attacks
which have been repulsed, there has
been a let up in fighting on this front
Positions beyond Langemarck have
been consolidated by the British whi1s
the French have made good their new
ground along the Steenbeck. Contin-
nation of the general assault will mark
the offensive as an effort second in
power only to that of the Somme.
England found great satisfaction in
the fact that Berlin found it necessary
to put out false statements in its
official wireless statement yesterday.
At the time the Germans were claim
ing the re-capture of Langemarck
British staff officers were in the town
inspecting the newly won English po-
sttions. Berlin also sought to create
the belief that the British attack was
over much wider front than was the
case. Official denial was made of all
Statements from Berlin concerning the
developments in Flanders
French Advance in Belgium.
The French are keeping step with
the British in the Flanders thrust
The French line is beyond Bixschoote,
running from the flooded area north
of Lizerne, across the Steerbeck, to a
point about mid-distant between Blk
schoote and Langemarck. The poilus
are playing a more prominent part
in the present Flanders battle than in
any other engagement in this region
for some time, tho they have held this
section of the Flanders Inc since it
was established. The precence of the
French in this region is largely for
sentimental and political purposes.
Looking to the day when the German
line might be broken and swung back,
as the first step toward3 Liberation of
Belgium, it is desired that French
troops have a part in the operations
Germans Completely RepuIsed.
London, Aug. 1S.-Gerulan troops
In Flanders were again completely re-
pulsed by the British after sharp
fighting, according to the British off,
cial statement, early this morning.
The enemy early today delivered
another counter attack against our re-
Gently captured position Immediately
northwest of Lens. His troops were
again completely repulsed after sharp
Fighting in which we secured a few
prisoners. There was considerable
hostile artillery activity during the
night in this neighborhood' and also
northeast of Ypres.