The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-18
BulIecOurt at Last Falls Into
Hands of British.
Every Indication That Germans
Are Retreating Now.
JAPAN HAS JOINED THE FRAY
Naval Force in Marseilles to
Battle With Submarines.
Italian Victory Against Austria
of Great Import.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press.)
Bullecourt is at last in British hands
| and the Drocourt-Q ueant line appears
doomed.
The tremendous sacrifices made by
the Germans have proven in vain and
the flames of burning towns behind
their lines give color to reports that
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg is con-
templating another strategic retreat
The capture of Bullecourt has
brought the British within two miles
! of Oueant on the northern side or the
famous switch line. Their guns al
ready have encircled it at an equal
distance to the south and east and
only a narrow gateway to the north
west lies open to the German garrison.
Bullecourt itself, over which much
blood has flowed, stands on height
overlooking a broad valley which runs
directly to Queant. 1t presumably will
take some time for the British to es-
tablish their heavy guns on this
height but the fate of Queant seems
sealed.
Italians Push On.
Additional reports from the italian
front emphasize the Importance of the
victory won by General Cadorna but
they also bring word that the Aus
trians have reacted and apparently the
usual period of counter attacks will
follow the first successful assault on
the Isonzo heights.
The enormous difficulties of the
terrain over which Cadorna is oper-
ating, render improbable any sensa-
tional advance and the prospects are
for a repetition of the hammer and
tongs fighting that is proceeding in
France.
Sun Behind Russian Cloud.
For the first time in weeks all
news from Russia is of a reassuring
T
high hopes that the coalition minis
try will weather the storms which
have convulsed the country, democrat
lied the fighting forces and raised
the sinister spectres of anarchy anG
reaction. Generals Alexieff, Brussil-
off and Gurko have resumed their
commands and, for the time being at
last, the clamor of the radicals and
Missionaries has died away.
Japan In at Last.
Probably the most important news
from Europe is 6he announcement
that Japan is going to take an active
part in the great struggle. A Japan
csc naval force has arrived at Mar
settles to join the campaign against
the German submarines especially, ac-
cording to the dispatches, to protect
French shipping. This unheralded
action by the oriental partner of the
allies raised political and military
questions Of supreme interest but upon
which however, there is no light at
present.
Repulse German Attacks.
Paris, May 1S.-Several attacks
were launched by the Germans last
night near Craonne. Today's official
statement says they were repulsed.
The French penetrated the German
lines in Lorraine.
Jap Troops, Too?
New York. May 1S.-The New York
Herald today printed a story asserting
that a contingent of Japanese troops
had been landed in Marseilles on
April %, according to information re-
ceived in New York. The Japanese
forces, it was said. will fight side by
side with the Russians on the west
front
Austrians Flee in Terror.
Rome, May 1S.-Austria has or
dered all civilians to evacuate the
Isonzo section in which italian troops
are steadily forging ahead today
Trieste is panic stricken at the ap-
proach OF the Italians, according to
word received here. All banks there
offices and the leading business
houses have hurriedly shipped all rec
ords to Vienna. Most of the Austrian
prisoners taken so far by the Italians
from the Russian front, 1t was an
nounced today.
Italians Take 6,432 Prisoners.
Rome, May 1S.-Austro- Hungarian
prisoners taken by the Italians in their
offensive on the Julian front are
known to number 6,432.
Berlin Admits 1t.
Berlin, May 1S.-The official state
ment issued today by the German
army headquarters staff says that the
ruins of the former village of Bulle-
court were evacuated by them yester-
| day.