Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-09-09
BOTH FRENCH
AND BRITISH
PUSHON CITY
Armies Close in on Big
Base-Allied Troops
Nearing La Feres

Nearing La FeTes
With the British Armies in
France, Sept 9.-tBy the AssO-
ciated Press .)-Pield Marshal
Haig's forces this morning ad-
Vaneed in the area west and
northwest of st. Quentin and
are now five miles frem the
Hindenburg line. They are still
pressing forward.
The British made n fOrmid-
able thrust this morning north
of the Arras- Cambria road. In
Flanders it is stated that the
Germans have removed their
artillery to the east Of the Lys
river.
London, Sept. 8, q p m.)-Push-
ing ahead today ON the front be-
tween Peronne and St Quentin
British patrols have occupied the
towns OF Vermand, five and one
half miles northwest Of ST. Quentin
and Vendelles, two miles north OF
Vermand
Near Hfndenburg Line.
The British this morning were
attacking Gouzeancourt, southeast
OF HavrincoUrt wood They are on
the western and northern edges OF
Epehy, within two and half miles
of the Hindenburg line opposite Le
Catelet, and their patrols are re
ported to have passed through the
village.
French troops now hold the Gro
Eat canal practically along its
whole length. They are only four
miles from St. Quentin and their
cavalry patrols are close TO Ia
i'ere
CBy the Associated Press).
After pausing for several days
along the line west and northwest
of Cambria, where the Germans set
, tied themselves last week behind
the canal du Nord, the British to-
day are reported attacking a sec
ton of this line in considerable
strength
What is unofficially described as
a formidable thrust" was deyel-
oped this morning by Field Marshal
Haig's forces along the Arras-Cam-
brai road, which crosses the canal
about six miles from the outskirts
OF Cambria. Whether this will
prove to be the expected attack to
break the canal line or merely q
reconnaissance in force, however,
remains to be developed.
Close in on st. Quentin.
1t is definitely reported, however.
that on the line to the south the
British are pressing forward toward
St Quentin, and now are only FIVE
miles from the Hindenburg line in
this area, where the German re
treat has been slOwest and accom-
panied by the greatest resistance.
Successes also have been scored by
the French in the St Quentin re
gion, where their line joins the Brit
ish. There have been indications
that the Germans intended making
a stand along the CroZat canal. de
Tending the stronghold OF La Fere.
the principal outlying protection or
the St. Gobain massif on the north
This plan appears already to have
been frustrated by the French, how
ever. a crossing OF the canal opp0-
site Liez. about three miles north
west of La Fere, having been forced
last night by General Petain's
forces.
Cavalry Nears La Fere.
Elsewhere the French are right
up to the Crozat position along viz
tually the entire length OF the canal
with their infantry only four miles
from St Quentin and their cavalry
patrols hard upon La Fere.
RepuIsed. Says Berlin.
Berlin. Sept 9, lvia Iondon) -
Entente allied attacks north OF Ar
mentieres. in Flanders. yesterday
were repuIsed by the Germans. who
took prisoners, says the official
statement issued today by the Ger
man general stafr.
Between the Ailette and Aisne
rivers. the statement adds. the
French were repulsed along the
whole front with sanguinary losses.
An enemy attack with strong
forces south OF the Peronne-Cam-
brai road failed with heavy losses.
French Push On.
Paris, Sept North Of the
Somme French troops have made
another advance In the direction Of
CIastres and have occupied LomOt
farm, according 10 the war ONCE
announcement today.
French troops have crossed the
CroZat canal opposite Lys. three
miles southwest of Eendeui
Two strong German counter at
tacks were repulsed by the French
IL the Laaaux region, northeast Of
scissors. The French took so
prisoners belonging TO five different
regiments.
French Hold Old Lines.
With the French Army IN
France, Sunday. Sept. S.-(By the
Associated Press The troops OF
General Mangin between the
Aisne and the Disc rivers now are
virtually behind their old wire en-
tanglements in their old trenches
Of 1917. All along the edge OF the
| forest OF Coucy and through the
western horn of the ST. GobaLu
| forest the Germans are only 200