The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-11-22
Convenient Terms.

of six railways, chief depot city for,
the German communications line in
central France, was under fire Of
British field guns today. Its useful
ness as a German base is done. Not
only has the Hindenburg line been
broken utterly, but the vitality import
ant communicating line likewise has
been smashed.
All Britain celebrated today. There
was a holiday spirit in every smiling
face, just little bit more reverence
to dun-clothed soldiers in the streets,
because their brothers were working
the modern miracle of war over
there, and widest enthusiasm among
the tommies themselves. Newspapers
of staid British Journalistic history
delved into remote type boxes to blare
the victory across their pages in
Americanesque 'streamers."
The victory was regarded as one Of
the greatest stroke of the war.
1t was achieved because British
strategists had the courage to try
something not in the catalogue of
war
General Byng and his co-workers so
infinitely worked out the battle plan,
that they had cavalry massed and
ready for action. A few days ago
leader would have been dubbed in
sane had he figured on utilizing
mounted forces against trench works
But Byng figured it and he figured it
right
Official reports today told Of how
in many cases they rode full tilt at
the charge on German artillery, saber-
ing the gunners and capturing field
pieces. Cavalry was credited with the
capture OF the villages Of Marcoing
and Masnieres.
Hundreds Of tanks participated in
the battle and once again these sca,y
monsters proved their worth.
There apparently couldn't be a
British drive without inclement wealth
err When the British started on Tues
day morning it was fine and clear, but
today's front dispatches reported a
cold. drizzling, incessant rain.
This is the first time in this war
that any commander has been able to
mass gigantic forces of men, of wag-
ons, of such numbering monstrosities
as tanks and Of cavalry without the
enemy discovering that maneuver
1t was thiS blindness Of the German
army, coupled with one brief dispatch
from the front today stating that only
five German airplanes had been seen
on the whole of the Hindenburg line
forty miles from Drocourt to ST. Quen-
ten, as the crow flies-that reused
great interest here today The blind
ness likewise indicaAd that the eyes
of the powerful German spy system
had likewise been put out
/ ,<aI ~ IL ,k-l ~
that the Wanted Eindenburg line was
mere PAPER mache bulwark against
the British onslaught; that England's
supremacy in the air has blinded the
Boche view; that the Teutonic espion-
age scheme can be frustrated; that
the tanks are we'll nigh irresfstible:
that the Boohe is lost Individual
when he is surprised; that England's
military leaders are not afraid of bold.
Napoleonic strokes, even IL they vio-
| late precedent.
French Hold to Gains.
PARIS, Nov. 22.-General Petain's
troops held fast today to new ground
gained in yesterdays offensive be-
tween Craonne and Berry-Au-Bac. The
attack was a concentrated, localized
assault, covering a front Of little
more than half a mile and aimed at
very strong German positions. All OBJ
jectives were attained to an average
depth of about quarter Of a mile.
Intense artillerying was reported in
this sector today.
Close to Cambria.
LONDON, Nov. 22.-British troops
swept to within three-quarters miles
of Cambria today. Field Marshal Haig
reported:
North of Cantaing we attacked and
captured Fontaine, Notre Dame VII
lage.
"a number were taken prisoner yes
terday evening"
Fontaine Notre Dame is a village
lying on the main Bapaume- Cambrai
road two and three quarter miles from
the German depot city.
Eight Miles and Still Going.
by VIM. Philip Simms, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES
BEHIND THE HINDENBURG LINE,
Nov 22.-At some points on what
used to be the impresnable linden
burg line, British troops this after
noon had penetrated more than eight
miles.
No late official announcement has
been made of prisoners and guns
taken.
My personal estimate. from num-
,bers reported by various guard COM
panies is that more than ten thou
sand Germans have been captured
The penetration of eight miles at
some points is from headquarters re-
ports early today BY this time, the
Indications are that the tommies
have swept on even further than this.
Seven counter attacks have failed