The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-13
Prisoners Pour In.
(By the Assoclated press.l


With the American Army in Lor-
raine, Sept. 13, Il p m.)-General
Pershing's troops continued their
steady advance against the st. Mihiel
salient thruout the night They
reached and even passed the obJec-
tives set for them. Prisoners continue
to pour in.
The Americans pushed ahead all
along the front. except at one point.
They were met with less resistance
than they had expected The Ger
mans made only one counter attack III
an attempt to stem the onrushing tide
of Americans.
The Germans, however. began their
protective barrage too early. They
gave the Americans warning of what
was coming and General Pershing'S
men were completely prepared for the
counter attack when it started.
Prisoners unanimously testified to
the accuracy and the deadliness of the
American preparatory artillery fire.
Observers had so completely located
the principal German works in ad-
vance that the enemy troops could
only take to their dugouts and await
the end of the bombardment.
(By tie Associated Press.)
Large Stores Taken.
With the American Forces in. Lor-
raine. Sept. 13.-Large quantities of
German supplies and material have
been secured but there has been no
time to check them up. The battle so
far has been wholly normal
The Germans last night and early
today were attempting to remove their
artillery thru the town of Vigneulles
under the stress of the American at
tack on the st. Mihiel salient.
.. They were meeting with the great
est difficulty, however. being hamper
ed by airplanes as well as by the ar
tillery fire.
The enemy has already lost a num-
ber of cannon and trench mortars be-
sides huge number of machine guns.
Continues Brilliantly.
(By the Associated Press.)
The American offensive in Lorraine
was reported today to be continuing
its brilliantly successful course.
The apparent prospect was that not
only would the st. Mihiel salient be
speedily wiped out, but that a heavy
blow would be dealt the Germans in
the loss of men and material
Already $500 prisoners and sixty
guns have been taken, according to to-
days advice. Prisoners to the number
of 5000 indeed had been actually
counted up to last night.
The rapid progress of the American
forces on both sides of the salient now
affords hope that still greater num-
bers of Germans may be caught in the
loop upon which General Pershing $
troops are closing in.
Z The Americans now appear to have
made an a 1vance of some eight miles
on the southern side of the salient
This would bring them to the impor.
tant town of Vigneulles, lying on the
only railway line in the loop, which
town today is unofficially reported in
American hands.
South of Vigneulles the town OF
Heudicourt is declared to be in Ameri-
can possession, while to the east to.
ward Thiaucourt. Pershing's troops
have acquired the important Thiau.
court wood and the own of Beney
Meanwhile on the westerly side of tht
salient. where the going is more diff
cult, the American advance on a twelve
mile front is understood to have scored
an advance of three miles. The con
verging operations thus appear to hav,
resulted in the closing of the necks Of
the loop to a point where it is nov
nc+ much more than five miles across
Two German divisions were re
ported last night to he still in thi
part of the salient. and if they hav.
not succeeded in extricating them
selves their capture seems proba BILE
The Germans have had great difficult,
CONTINUED on Page Two.)