The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-10-12
MENACED EVERYWHERE, SAFETY
LIES IN POSSIBILITY OF ESCAPE
VIA RAILROADS AND HIGHWAYS
LEADING FROM LAON.
(By Associated Press)

On the wings Of necessity the Ger
mans are living eastward from their
old battle positions from Douai TO Id
fere and northward TO the Meuse river
Their fight is toward some haven of
safely whielr ayitf take them from the
talons Of the allied hawks Which arc
everywhere menacing them.
All along the battlefront the allied
troops are advancing.
The Germans in the bend Of the ell
bow between Douai and east of Laon
are likely to be cut off. However,
they may be able to escape through
the railways and highways leading in
all directions from Laon.
The grip nf the Germans on north
crn France has been loosened and the
process of herding them back to their
borders is proceeding a an increas-
iuclN rapid pace under the allied iaSn.
Already. since the beginning of the
july offensive, Which initiated the
I'd the enemy back a maximum Of IL
mites from the Ancre near Albert t0
the tip Of the present Anglo-.American
wedge at lie Cateat.
\ scant ~ miles more will bring
Item on this line to t'ae Belgian from
tier south of Maubeuge. But long be-
fore that point is reached the pressure
oG al sides. il continued at the pres
enl rate. will have resulted in the
c Gearing Of the enemy from virtually
all French territory and great part
Of Belgian soil.
Germans Retreat Under Pressure.
The Germans, indeed, arc already
ca"l wing out a general retreat. But it
is retreat under pressure and, al
though being shilfulIy conducted, is
bcund TO cost them heavily in men and
material.
General Ludendorff patiently has
been desirous Of withdrawing TO a
So rter line Where he could reorganize
his forces, but the steady unrelentinS
~ essure which Marshal Foch has APP
Piled along the front has made it Illi-
possible for him to detach himself for
sucil an operation. He cannot break
contact With his adversary, as he
would like to do. and consequently is
obi ged to fall back slowly. lighting
hard and losing heavily in his back
>tard course.
Last nights developments and those
o; today along the wide battle front
only served to accentuate the extent OF ;
the German retreat and th~ acceiera- |
lion Of its pace. The official reports !
reveal The British and the Americans |
cooperating with them still WIDEN
ng the great wedge. in the German .
inc southeast of Canlbrai. a process IN
which The French to the south are f
llding notably. General Petain
roops have pushed TO the river Oise
oa point almost as far north as
iuise where they join UP win me
British and Americans Who are rap''i!
earring the important railway junction
i Wassigny, south and east OF lie
.ateau
French Pressure South of Laon.
This sensational drive in the centre
; matched in efficacy. however. by
he terrific pressure of the French
rmies south OF Laon and along inc
ne north of the Aisne and in the
hampagne. This movement. in con-
IInction With the drive 10 tue
orth, is. according to today,s adIlces,
laking it inevitable that the Germans
etire from Laon and the great st. Go
ain massif. The withdrawal, indeed,
ppears Ia he under Nay here rs else 1,
here
The Americans are With the French
applying The pressure in Inc tnan1-
lcne snd the american firsi array IN
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