The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-09-20

smash at the Hindenburg line. Sweep
ing forward on a front of % miles,
they went ahead from one and one
third miles to three miles, taking ma
ny prisoners. The most important as
pect of the advance is that it makes
more certain the capture of St. Quen-
tin, which the Germans have been or
dered to hold at all costs. This i'm
portant city is virtually surrounded on
three sides, and its fall seems only a
matter of days. Field Marshal Haig's
third and fourth armies charged over
the trench system occupied by the
British before they were pushed back
by the Teutonic flood last March. They
captured, in wide sectors, the outer
defenses of the Hindenburg line.
The British assault was over front
of 16 miles, from Holnon, west of st.
Quentin, to Gouzeaucourt, north of
Epehy. In their advance, which reach
ed depth of more than three miles
at some points, they took more than
G,000 prisoners.
Not only did the blow bring nearer
the capture of st. Quentin, which the
Germans are struggling desperately
to hold, but it went far toward wiping
out the only bulge in the British line
which resembles a salient. Epehy is
at the apex of the bend, and has been
taken and the same fate has befallen
Gouzeaucourt and Haricourt, which
stood at the ends of the wings. The
Importance which the Germans attach
ed to the territory wrested from them
q Indicated by the announcement that
they launched counter attacks as soon
~ they could be organized, from Har-
gicourt to the 0mignon iiyulet. The
success of their efforts remains some
what obscure, but it is not believed
thAI tiiee tan fesos :, Al .g,,.,..t, a.
While the French advance way ltss
spectacular than chat of the British,
with whom they cooperated, they were
equally successful in gaining their OBJ
Electives. They moved forward on 8
front of six miles to an average depth
of one and third miles, adding sew
eral hundred prisoners to the British
bag. They now hold the southern out
skirts of Contescourt, less than three
miles from the suburgs of st. Quentin.
This city, where the troops of Won
Goeben scored great vistory in 1871
is one of the buttresses of the Douai-
Cambrai-St. Quentin line, beyond
which it has been announced the Ger
mans will not fall back. With the
French in the outskirts of LIE Fere
with st. Quentin invested and with the
British battering doggedly for Cam.
brai, the great Hindenburg defense
system is in danger of being preached
at three of its strongest points. Once
ousted from it, the Teutons will have
back of them no strong fortifcation:
until they reach the Maubeuge de-
fenses.
The taking of St. Quentin remains {
difficult task, however, for the Ger
mans are in strong defensive position:
and a captured order from Gen. vor
Morgen to the Fourteenth Reserve
Corps emphasizes the importance Of
the terrain they hold. He orders then
not to yield another fot of ground sir
the imminent decisive battles"
While the British and French were
forging ahead relentlessly in the west
the Serbs and French in Macedonia
were making more emphatic their de-
feat of the Bulgars, who have been re-
inforced by German troops. There is
every indication that the offensive in
the near east is of major proportions
and that it will develop to the limit. 1t
was widened to the west of Sokol and
the east of Vetrenix until the front ex-
tends over 16 miles. The allies have
penetrated at some points distance
of 10 miles. The resistance of King
Ferdinand's troops is weakening as
they are forced back.
| While Marshal Foch was following
his policy of striking at widely sepa-
rated points along the battle line, the
day was one of comparative quiet for
Gen. Pershing's flied artillery. There
was no activity of consequence on their
front beyond the usual artillery and
patrol activity.