Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-10-26
Make Important Gains
While British Hammer
to the North.
FRENCH SMASH THRU
FOR GOOD GAINS
Field Marshal Hais Seeking to Con-
serve Men by Avoiding Frontal At
tacks on Strong Positions-New
Italian Offensive Watched With In
terest-Wiil Be Test Of Austrian
Army sMorale-Effort to Split Lines.
Iax the Associated Pre.s.l

French troops facing the south.
ern buIwark Of the German de-
fenses in France continued to make
important dents in the enemy posi-
tions along the Serre and east
ward, while the British hammer at
the pivotal point around Valenci-
ennes.
Southwest of Marie the French
have captured Mortieres, on tho
Serre, while further east in the
region southeast of Monteornet
General Petain's men have smash
cd thru the German lines on q
front Of four and one-haif miles
TO . dapth Of two miles at certain
points. Tho German defensss here
wore formidable, having been pre-
parsd in 1917 and continuously re-
inforcsd.
In the last four days the Ger.
mans have lost nearly $1,000 pris-
oners and 200 guns, according to
unofficial estimates in Paris. Tho
enemy losses in electives are de-
eiared to have been not less than
$4,000.
In the eneirolins Of VaIencicnnos
the British have gained new sue
cesses north and south Of the
town. On the edge Of the Normal
forest, on the south, Field Marshal
HaiG's mon have taken EngIe-
fonraine and MontearmeI hill. in
the bend Of tho Scheldt river.
Northwest Of VaIenciennes the
British have moved eastward and
captured the villages Of Odomez
and Maulde.
The American troops on the
sectors east and west Of the Mouse
are being subjected to strong
German reactions, especially with
artillery, but maintain their hold
on the now ground won Friday.
North Of Grand Pre- the Amer
leans have, strengthened their posi-
tions in the southern part Of the
eoursosne wood.
The French on the Serre- Disc
front have continued their attack
on the northern side Of the angle
line. They have gained at import
ant points but the Germans are
holding their front very strongly.
Southwest Of Damviliers, in tho
Meuse sector, American forces
have captured hill $50, a height
which is important for observation
purposes and which was stubborn
ly defended by the Germans. Near
Grand Pro the Americans have
forged still farther ahead and ap-
pear to be forming a large pocket
in tho German lines on the east
srn side Of the Araonns forest.
American heavy artillery has been
pounding German concentration
points during the past two days.
While the British, French and
Americana are slowly breaking
their way thru the stubborn Ger.
man defensss south Of vaien.
eiennes the attention Of the allied
world 10 directed for tho moment At
least to the italian front.
Fighting on . large scale appears
TO have begun on Thursday, whom
the Austrian official statement re-
ported heavy artillery fire from tho
Brenta river to MonteIlo plateau.
Il was reported yesterday that
Italian, British and French forces
attacked between the 6ren&a and
Piavs rivers and advanced over
rough country for . considerable
distance. Al the same time tho
allies moved ahead and captured
islands in the Piave above the Mon
teilo plateau.
This stroke was, aimed at the
ansie. in the Austrian line "h:e!:
runs from the Adriatie along tho
Piavs until il reaches the noun.
tains and then turns to the west.
II the allied attack makes mate
rial progress the Austrian armies
on tho lowiands near the sea and
those holding the front IN tho
mountainous sector may be divided.
The number Of prisoners taken
3,000-would seem to indicate fight
ina OF a serious nature. II 10 too
early TO determine whether Gen.
eral piax has begun an offensive
or merely directing an operation
which 10 q diversion. Il may bs
that the morale Of the Austrian
army will be determined in this
fighting.
m DritisH divisions in Mssopotamia