Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-11-05
OF HUNS
WAS A SURPRISE
Advancing French Soldiers
Find Trenches Evacuated
But Moments Before.

Ey The Associated Press
On THE FRENCH FRONT IN
FRANCE, Nov. 4-'rhe French ad
vance in pursuit of the Germans be-
yond the Chemin des Danes has at
tained an average OF a mile and Il
half, the southern bank Of the Ailette
being reached everywhere. Altogether
Sohce Yesterday about eighteen square
miles of territory have fallen into
French hands, the progress being nee
essarily slow owing to the uncertainty
as to where the Germans will make "A
stand.
Many points in the line already
bombarded by the German big guns
during the French advance. especially
in the neighborhOod of Allies, where
numerous mustard gas shells some
what delayed the progress of the
French troops.
French Are Prudent.
The French are displaying the
greatest prudence in their movements
in consequence of the frequency of
the caverns on all sides in the hills.
As result OF this caution the troops
while going forward discovered a
numher of traps for the unwary In
Gerry steel helmet hung on a pole
was found on examination to have an
electric wire connection running into
a mine which would explode in the
event of the helmet being snatched
away.
At the present moment the French
occupy every crest and possess all the
obseryatories above Craonne, Allies,
Cerny and Courtecon, while as far as
can be made out the Germans have
established their line on the other
side Of the Aillette valley whence a
shower of BULLETS from numerous ma
chine guns come on occasions. They
destroyed every bridge over the ALL
lette as they retired.
The German evacuation was discov-
cred on Friday by patrol of chas-
seur.s During the preceding night any
movement from the direction of the
French lines brought salvo of bull
let's hut toward dawn, when the chas-
seurs were making a daring patrol
they found one of the German front
trenches empty and Immediately gave
the alarm.
Artillery Takes Part.
Other patrols advanced forward
hours afterward by strong infantry
units in front of which the French
artillery let down heavy barrage
fire In order to prevent surprises. The
marching troops, however, found all
the trenches empty and n search OF
dozens of shelters and tunnels con-
firmed the departure OF the Germans.
1t was evident that the German
troops, which occupied the front lines
until the last moment, received little
warning of the order TO retire as
half-cooked meats still hot, were
found in the saucepans.
1t is a remarkable coincidence that
tho same French troops which were
facing .hc Germans on this occasion
had occupied Lassigny when the Ger
mans executed their retreat in March
of this year. The entire position,
which is perfect honeycomb of shell
tors, was reorganized by the French
during the course of the day and thru
last night.
II is uncertain whether the Ger
mans intend to retroQt further, altho
many movements of the troops to-
ward the north have been observed
and IL is believed Laon has been eVac-
uated by the civilian population. 1t Is
known tnat the Germans were busily
engaged thruout the summer in estab
lIshing field work at a consderabl
distance in the rear of their present
position.