New-York tribune., 1918-09-30

and Romapre. west Of that town, on
the outskirts of the forest Of Romagne,
and the attack is progressing favor
aoly.
WITH TIRE AMERICAN ARMY
NORTHWEST OF NERDUN. Sept. 20,
1880 A. NJ. (by The Associated Press.
The American troops continued to
make progress. although slowly, all
oay Yesterday. The advance was great
est on the right of the sector and least
IN tho centre. where the Germans
counter attacked violently. The enemy
Gained nothing by these efforts, how
ever, except to slow up the American
Sdvanco temporarily.
Yanks Outshoot Huns
On the American left the Germans
nave resorted to heavy machine gun
md trench mortar fire. The artillery
activity has increased along the entire
line. with the Americans easily out
shooting the enemy. East OF the Meuse
the German artillery fire has been
quite heavy.
At Exermont. just east Of the Ar
come Forest the enemy offered bitter
resistance to the Americans.
Northeast of Nontillois, somewhat
east OF the centre. the Americans al
ready advanced beyond their positions
of Yesterday morning The Americans
there took prisoners from Bavarlan
reserve division which had been rest
ing in Alsacesand moved into the line
Yesterday. They also took prisoners
from another reserve division which
had sent one battalion from each regi-
ment into the line.
Foe Tries to Stand
Enemy resistance increased steadily
on the left Of the American sector and
a number Of new German units have
been identified. The enemy troops IN
many instances yesterday held on to
machine gun nests until they literally
we're wiped out The American extreme
left continues 20 advance steadily along
me edge of the Argonne Forest. From
batteries east of the Meuse the Ger
mans last night bombarded heavily the
rsgion of Brieules and other points on
ne right Of the American line
Fighting their way almost every
yard, American troops yesterday wrest-
cd from the Germans another strip OF
territory Although they are opposing
tho advancing Americans with every
arm of the service except cavalry. there
is increasing evidence that the Ger
mans are only fighting for time to es-
tablsh themselves along the kriem- e
hilde or Blunnhilde line. The present
operation Is Il rear-guard action on the
part of the enemy. but on big scale.
and once more he has adopted sacrl-
fetal tactics TO impede the advance.
Germans Burn Stores
With heavy artillery preparation the
American line moved forward early to-
day. 1t was not fast going but woods
after woods were cleaned out and viii
ages fell before the steady push.
Fires beyond the lines marked points
where the Germans apparently were
destroying warehouses and stores. the
transportation OF which might hamper
their retreat.
From the bend in the Meuse to the
vest flank the Americans fought their
way out of the tangle Of the Argonnc
Forest and established new lines
Across the Meuse the village of Nilos-
nes was reported by aviators to have
been blown to pieces by enemy mines
All bridges over the river in this sec
ton have been destroyed.
little 10 the west the evacuation
Of Romagne appeared to be in prog
fess, while further north trains were
observed leaving for the Interior
Other early reports, however indicated
heavy concentration of enemy troops
at Dun-Sur-Meusc and that strong re-
sistance might be expected.
Tanks Crash Forward
Far TO the left number OF tanks
that had been working through the
wilderness of the Argonnc Forest made
comparatively rapid progress Most OF
these machines were OF the small
French type. With astonishing agility
they moved forward, smashing wire en-
ements,, making their way over
trenches and firing point blank at ma
chine gunners who cndcavored to
check them. The efforts of small rear
guard forces equipped with new anti
Sank guns to impede their progress
We're futile, and many Of these new
weapons were added TO the rapidlv
growing salvage dumps.
Late information indicates that the
'ermanS are making every effort to
strengthen their lines while preparing
ne" positions. 1t has been established
mat five new divisions have been
thrown into line since the offensive be-
gan.
Teutons Stiffcn Line
With the Challerangc railroad line
S,Fered on the left by the French. the
NeermanS are strengthening their
aorces on the front facing the Amcri-
.siiS IN al effort to delay and to halt
~ II pOSSlDic, CNc American
must which may force the Germans
abandon the northern part Of the
the Aire. ''"'
TO the east determined opposition
ESQ "a being offered, although III that
nl' nat1 or the front the German loss,
t, nme perhaps much greater in extent,
,o",o De less important because on
cn. ieit inc more important communi-
~ rhson ~ -Ses are seriously threatened.
ane Chal'erange line, which had been
loI. Leu 70 feed the front which it paral-
te ,e.s closely. is useless for some dis
luce, luce, and the main line from Vouziers
Gassaoy Gas Is within the range of the AL
ny; guns. Challer&nge is a junction
po,.' p and the railroads run east and
y, ''ailroad Line Damaged
n,nne me damage already done to the line
,an ,ihg north and east to the Ameri
on, ssctor is not sufficient to nut il
dreao o1 operation but for everv hun
Arporyds yards the Germans lose in the
cat,on ctsonne the danger to their communi-
~ Hne is increased.
bas "s hghting on the American front
tio,.a developed into two major onera~
trohs. Tor the island-ljke rce,ion ha
tbs tben "a ,he Aisne and the Aire and for
Nc Nc districts between the Aire and ~ ~
tssoSa:, tssoSe: If the Americans can drive i've
'usn on either sector the Germans