The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-10-14

ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUMMARY OF THE WAR
(By Associated Press.)


German forces have abandoned
Laon and the whole ST. Gobain reg
ion. The French, after reoceupyrns
Laon, have pressed on until their
line now runs from the Disc river
above LaFare to the eastern end OF
Chemin des Danes. =,
When the Germans began to fall
back out of the bag into which they
were beinu slowly caught BY the
rapid advance OF the allies on each
side. they went with such speed that
the change in the battle line in that
section of the front during few
hours was astonishing. Not until
the French reached the Laon-LaFere
railroad did they encounter any real
resistance.
Italian troops participated in the
advance and are now engaged on the
hills north of the. Ailette river. Al
this particular point the German
lines have been pressed back or have
been withdrawn so a sharp angle has
been created.
With the exception of the area
north of Douai there appears to have
been a slowing down Of the allied
advance during the last couple OF
days. At no point have the British
and Americans swept ahead as they
did on Thursday and Friday last
week. -
This may indicate that the Ger
mans have reached what Is known
as the Aunding or Brunhild line.
This position while much less forE
nidahle, so far as known than the
Hindenburg system is strong enough
to restrict pursuit by the allies and
perhaps hold for some time.
The Hundins line runs from Ant
werp TO Client and thence TO Tour
mai, Conde, Valenciennes, Solesmes,
Guise, Rethel, vouzieres, Dun Sur
Meuz and then down the base of the
ST. Mihiei salient to the MoseIle,
where IL joins the old front running
through Lorraine and the Vosges to
the Swiss frontier.
French and British forces have
virtually reached this line east of
Cambrai and ST. Quentin. British
units are reported at Solesmes, while
the French further south are within
four miles of Guise.
On the Champagne front, General
5erthelet is less than five miles from
Rethel, while, further cast, Genera!
Gouraud has taken Nouzieres but has
not penetrated much north of that
place. Americans fighting in the
Arsonne region arc through the
kriemiIde line but their progress
there is slow.
Study of the tactics followed by
the Germans during the last week
has shown that they are following
the methods of retreat used in the
Marne and Somme salisnts in July
and August. They have hald their
flanks fairly secure and have with
drawn their center. They have thus,
apparently escaped diStaster around
Laon, where military experts have
said the Germans had delayed their
retirement too long for their own
safety.
In the region of Douai, British
troops are fighting their way for
ward against desperate resistance
and in spite of numerous waterways
which serve TO hold up their advance.
Douai is virtually reached, while 10
the north the line 10 sausina off
sharply TO the east. Should Douai
fall the British will be able to ad-
vance on vaIenciennes.
The Disc river has been crossed bv
the French to the northeast of La
Fere az orisny and they have ad-
vaneed close to the river TO the
north. In Albania the Italians have
captured kavaya, town IL miles
southeast Of Durazzo.