The Washington times., 1917-03-01
HATG'S MEN REACH
BAPAUME RIDGE
Force Way to Within a Mile Of
Big Drives 0biec-
tive.
G0MMEc0URT IS TAKEN
British Continue to Push on in
North France, Capturing
Trenches.

LONDON. March British troops
are only a mile from Bapaume. In
fantry forces, pressing after the re-
treating Germans. have set foot on
the Bapaume ridge. They can see now
for the first time the town that has
been their goal ever since the Somme
offensive opened eight months ago to-
morrow.
1t is believed here that earlier signs
were not misleading, and that the
Germans actually intend to evacuate
Bapaume. In fact, all but the last line
Of defense of the town itself may be
already in the hands OF Sir Douglas
Haig's advancing troops.
The front on which the British have
advanced was increased today TO ap-
proximately thirteen miles by the -oc-
cupation Of positions more than half
mile northeast Of Gommecourt.
The Germans have given up the
village of Thilloy, almost exactly q
mile southwest OF Bapaume, and more
important still, atop the ridge OF
which Bapaume Is the central point.
1t was on this ridge that II was
thought the Germans might stand.
Trench System Captured.
Tonight's official report says that
''the trench system adjoining" Thilloy
has fallen into British hands. This
may mean the wonderfully strong and
intricate section of the old German
fourth line just beyond Thilloy, be-
tween It and Bapaume. II SO all that
remains is the .Babaume line itself.
which Is comparatively new.
Nor are these the only successes an
nounced for the British today. Com
mecourt, nearly five miles north OF
the Ancre, along q mighty fortress
before which thousands of British
troops laid down their lives in vain
efforts to storm II, has been given up
almost without resistance. Beyond
and a little southeast of Gommecourt
the struggling village of Puiseux-aux-
Mont has been taken
To strengthen their hold on these
positions the British have pushed for
ward near by. Their line is now more
than a half mile northeast OF Connie
court, progressing in regions where
hitherto all attacks had been repell-
ed.
Trench systems adjoining Puiseux-
au-Mont have fallen also to the
British, and patrols are still creeping
ahead, as close behind the Germans
as Is safe.
An attack has been made on the
German lines at the point where ap-
parently the retirement pivots. Brit
ish troops attacked and captured this
morning part OF q German trench
C.K
strong lie Transloy position and took
eighty-five prisoners and a machine
gum.
For the first time the German war
office breaks its silence concerning
the Ancre retirement. only to imply
that everything is going as the gen
eral staff hoped.
'In the Ancre section infantry en-
gagements in front of our positions
took the course desired by the COM
mand," 1t says.
Big Retreat Likely.
Viewed in combination with the
continuing retirement, this statement
increases the wonderment as to where
it will stop. Besides the strong pos
sIbiIity that Bapaume is to be handed
hoped-for retreat to the Arras-Cam-
brai line is on at last is widely dis
cussed.
That entente leaders believe there
are great possibilities in the situation
is evidenced by the fact that a con-
ference of the highest British and
French commanders OF government
and army was held at Calais on Mon
day. Even the fact OF the conference
was kept secret until IL was over, but
there is no doubt here that IL centered
upon the German retirement on the
Ancre and how the allies might best
take advantage of IL.
Great Britain sent to the conference
Premier Lloyd-George, Gen. Sir WILL
lam Robertson, the chief of staff. and
Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig,
commanding the armies of France.
The French representatives were Pre-
mier BRAND, General Lyautey, the
minister of war, and General Nivelle,
commanding the French armies in
France.
The Somme-Ancre front continues