The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-11-06
FORMIDABLE
FOE DEFENSE
LINE SMASHED
BY AMERICANS
Part of New German Defenses
From Stenay North to Sedan
Penetrated by Advance Of
U. S. Troops.
FOE IN GENERAL ROUT
(By Associated Press)

(By Associated Press)
WITH AMERICAN ARMY
ON THE SEDAN FRONT-An-
other formidable enemy defense
line, on which the Germans
planned to make a stand, was
smashed by the Americans late
Tuesday, when they captured
the town of Letanne, in the bend
of the Meuse, south of Mouzon.
From Letanne, the line extends
along the Meuse through Pouilly
and Inor and eastward.
This line was part of the new
defenses along the Meuse from
Stenay northward to Sedan. An
elaborate trench system recently
had been completed along with
numerous wire entanglements,
concrete dugouts and miles OF
concrete emplacements for heavy
machine guns.
Retreat Over 65-Miie Line.
Forced to a realization Of impending
defeat by the progress of the British
southeast Of Valenciennes and the
French and Americans south OF Sc
dan, Germany's shattered armies are
in rapid retreat from the Belgian fron-
tier to the Aisne river. So rapid -
the retirement that it is very difficult
to determine the exact location OF the
contending forces along this 65 miles
Of front.
British forces have cleared the ba--
rier of Normal, and threaten to drive
a wedge between Mons and Maubeuge.
To the south, the French have launch
ed an attack that has forced the en-
emy back from three to four miles
while along the Meuse the Ameri-
cans, in close cooperation with the
French just to the westward, have
overcome a stubborn resistance by the
enemy and moved still nearer the Sc
dan-Longuyon railroad.
There is evidence that the Germans
are not carrying out the orderly re-
treat that marked their retirement
from the Marne and Somme salients.
Batteries of field guns, with horses
attached, have been captured and
vast quantity of munitions which
could be moved quickly under ordin-
ary conditions has fallen into the
hands of the allies.
Ghent Invested by Allies.
To the north. Ghent is closely in
vested by the French, Belgian and
British troops. The fighting there is
between German rear
guards and the allied forces, for ci-
villains are said to be close behind the
lines. and the Queen Elizabeth of Bel
gium watched the beginning of the as
sault against the city.
The line of the Scheldt is no longer
any protection to the enemy in Bel
GUM. 1t has been crossed every
where from Ghent to Valenciennes
and it is probable that allied troops
have been flung across the canal.
north OF Client Between Client and
Brussels, there Is no great natural
obstacle except the Dendre river,
which will aid the Germans in con-
Quoting defensive operations and 1t
seems probable that the enemy will
not turn at bay until he reached the
Namur BrusseIs-Antwerp lines, which
are said to have been prepared for a
grim struggle.
Americans Cross Meuse.
American forces north OF Verdun
have crossed the Meuse at three places
ard have gained ground on the east
side Of the river This advance is
most important, for it threatens the
line at new point
and removes from the Germans the ad-
vantage of having position on the
flank of the American forces advanc-
ing northward on the western side
Of the stream. Sedan must be under
artillery fire from the medium cali
Der American guns.
Emperor Charles OF Austria is said
to have refused to sign the armistice
agreement with the allied powers and
turned over his authority of command
er in chief OF the army to Field Mar
shall Straussenburg. 1t is rumored
that the emperor has abdicated and
has started for Switzerland, where
King Constantine took refuge after be-
ing compelled to relinQuish the Gree
ian throne.
The inter-allied conference at Yer
"a lilies has agreed on the terms OF an
armistice. This decision was sent to
President Wilson in answer to his
turning over to the
the request that he notify
the allies Of the desire Of Germany
to end the war. President Wilson
has in turn notified the German gov
ernment that it may apply to Mar
shall Foch. commander in chief Of the
allied forces. who Is authorized to re-
ceive duly accredited representatives
and submit to them the terms agreed
upon by the associated nationa