The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-09-12

French and American artillery this
morning directed a terrific barrage
fire on the German positions on this
front. The reply of the German big
guns was vigorous at some places al
though as a whole it was weak.
There are some indications that the
Germans are withdrawing their artil-
lery although it is more probable that
they are going to fight hard before
being driven out after enduring a
sitting barrage Of more than hours.
Americans Take First Lines.
The Germans at some points are in
creasing the volume Of their big gun
fire but Intellectually.
The American forces at 8 o'clock
had progressed generally along the
line. Some prisoners were taken at
different parts of the sector.
The first wave of American troops
met with little resistance and at s
o'clock the second American wave was
in possession of several points of the
German first line.
Germans Falling Back.
The Germans now are falling bac ok
on the fronts on each side of the ST
Mihiel salient.
Though undoubtedly suspicious of
the intentions of the Americans in this
region. the Germans were unaware at
the time of the direction of the at
tacks.
The American troops are all in
tensely eager and are fighting mag
nificently.
AIMED AT DANGEROUS SECTOR.
American and French troops today
began an offensive on 20 mile front
in Lorraine near the German border.
The movement evidently is aimed
principally at the elimination of the
famous st. Mihiel salient, which for
more than four years has projected
into the allied line southeast of Yer
dun.
The attacks were launched on both
sides Of the salient-on a 20 mile front
on the south and an s mile front on
the westerly side. The assaults were
progressing favorably at the latest re.
ports.
Baraee Precedes Attack.
A barrage lasting several hours pre-
ceded the thrust. Heavy concentra-
tions OF French and American artillery
and airplanes had been effected. The
fire poured in upon the Germans from
the allied guns was a terrific one
while the German reply on the whole
was weak
There has been made predictions
in unofficial quarters recently that an
American offensive movement was
likely to be witnessed this fall and
Lorraine has been mentioned as one
~boh L. Gz1I 10
attack The German citadel OF Metz
lies only some Il miles to the mort.
cast of Pont-A-Mousson, at the east
erly edge OF the salient under attack.
and 1t seems not beyond probability
that this may be a further objective
of the offensive should it develop fa-
vorably in the crushing out Of mater
ial reduc ton OF the salient
The removal of the salient. in fact,
would seem TO be a necessity, before
any drive in force into German terri
tory on this front were attempted, as
otherwise the German forces to the
west would be left in a threatening po-
sition on the left flank of the attack
ing armies.
Huge American Army.
II Is known that Gen. Pershing has
a huge American army under his COM
mand and there seems little doubt that
adequate forces would be at the dis
posal Of Marshal Foch for any import |
ant push in this sector were the open
ing moves to develop suitable open
ing. The St Mihiel salient is nearly |
twenty miles wide at it's mouth, and !
somewhat more than fifteen miles in |
depth with its apex just to the south |
west of ST Mihiel. II was driven into /
the French line in a sudden German !
eruption southeast of Verdun early in |
the fall OF 1914 before the line had
become entirely stabilized after the |
Marne and Aisne battle. The French !
checked the German push near St
Mihiel and prevented a debouching
movement on the flanks. The posi- /