The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-24
Also Bring Back 25 Heavy Field
Cannon at scissors.
German Crown Prince SuStainS
Another Hard Blow.
MOST SEVERE SINCE VERDUN
Gen. Petain Hitting for LaOn,
South End of Front.
French Victory After Hard Bat
tie, Charging Up Hill.

Paris, Oct. 24-The number OF
prisoners taken by the French in their
attack northeast of scissors has
reached 5000 the war office an
nounces.
The Germans attempted no counter
attack on the Aisne battle front dur
ing the night. In the Verdun sector
the Germans made a violent attack On
the French position north of Hill 344,
but were beaten back by the French.
The announcement in part follows:
The night was generally calm on
the whole front of the attack north or
he Aisne. The enemy limited himself
o bombarding our new line, especially
n the region of Vaudesson, and at
tempted no infantry action Our
troops are organizing the conquered
ground.
OFFICERS of Eight Divisions.
The number of prisoners actually
/ counted has reached eight thousand.
! among them are 16O officers belong
I ing to eight different divisions. includ.
ing two of the guard. The stafts oil
/ three regiments, among them three
+ colonels, were taken prisoners
! TT is confirmed that Two enemy
/ divisions which had been held in re-
! serve behind the front were engaged
! on october % and were put to very
! severe test"
London. Oct. 24.-Violent German
| counter-attacks against newly won
! British positions around Houthodlst
wood has been fruitless, Field Mar
/ shall Haig reported today one such
vigorous counter-blOw was launched
| by the enemy at the point of juncture
| of the French and British yesterday.
| 1t was completely repulsed.
Since Monday" Haig concluded,
seven counter-attacks have been
made and none have materially gained
for the enemy
Advance More Than Two Miles.
! Smashing against the German lines
a1.hg a six-mile front, northeast OF
| Scissors, the French have made I'M
| portant gains from the German crown
prince The sudden blow also brought
the French more than 5000 prisoners
and twenty-f five heavy field guns.
| General Petain completed an eff
fective step toward Laon, the south
ern extremity of the Hindenburg line,
and an important railroad center.
/ which lies ten miles northeast OF
| Chavignon, where the French advance
attained its greatest depth-two and
! one-fifth miles.
The heights dominating Pargny-
| Filain at the extreme right, were
! seized and French guns now can bat
ter the Germans on the hills on the
opposite side of the Ailette river from
| Chavignon More important still,
they can pour an enfilade fire into
the forces of the German crown prince
still cIinging to the northern slopes
of the plateau paralleling the Chemin
/ des DANES.
Lost Best Troops.
! To the German crown prince the
blow may prove the most severe he
has suffered since Verdun. He has
lost several divisions of his best troops
! including Prussian guards. who were
rushed forward to hold the line at all
| costs.
General Petain's mastery stroke
| weakens the German line northward
to the forest of st. Gobain. A retire
ment from this line would probably
| cause the Germans to give up their
present front from Chavignon to St
| Quentin. The French had no easy
task going up hill against fortified
! defenses, concreted caverns and
massed troops. But the artillery fire
was very effective and there was nc
stopping the impetuous men OF
| France.
Germany Admits Defeat.
Berlin, via London, Oct. 24.-West
of Allemant, French forces attacked
/ and coupled with their drive near
Chavignon made German positions be-
tween untenable. todays official state
ment said. The French attack was ar
rested south of PinOn.