Omaha daily bee., 1918-10-26
AUSTRIAN
LINE PUT TO
THE TEST
British Again Making Progress
Against Turks; Allies Slow
Iy Forcing Back Foe in
France and Belgium. I
BY Associated Press.

By Associated Press.
The Germans in Belgium
and France still are stub
bornly resisting the at
tempts of the entente allied
forces to break through
their lines and bring about
an immediate collapse of
their defensive positionsA
On the whole they are
succeeding, but nevertheless
on all salient positions un-
der attack the enemy line
gradually but slowly is be-
ing forced backward.
On the northern Italian battle
front between the Brenta and Pave
rivers the Austrians are being put
to the test in new attack by Brit
ish, French and Italian troops, while
in Mesopotamia the British have
again gone on the offensive against
the Turks and at last accounts were
making considerable progress. In
Albania and Serbia the operations OF
the allied forces are tending toward
the slow but sure evacuation of the
invaded districts by the enemy
forces.
Resistance Increases.
In the northern French theater
the British are centering their ef-
forts south of Valenciennes to cave
in the salient between that city and
Lequesnoy and move on toward the
important junction town of Maui
beuge, with the 0twofold purpose of
finally encompassing Valenciennes
and reachin. the Belgian border.
Everywhere the Germans are Of
fering the stiffest of resistance but
nevertheless they have been CO, i
elled to give up the town of Maing
and most of the intervening points
southwark along the railway to Le-
quesnoy, which now is all but in
British hands.
Between the Disc and Serre rivers
American naval gunners with 16-inch
guns have joined the French in their
efforts to hammer their way north
eastward toward Hirson, one of the
key point positions in the German
line. American shells from these
guns are being hurled against both
Vervins and Rozoy. Further prog
ress has been made by the French in
this region, but only after the hard
est kind of fighting.
Americans Advance Line.
Likewise on both sides of the
Meuse river the Americans have ad-
vanced their line, Notwithstanding
the strong resistance of the enemy.
North of Grandpre, which lies in the
valley above the famous Argonrle
forest, several hills of the utmost
from/a strategic stand
point has been taken from the des-
perately resisting enemy machine
gunners and artillerists. Numerous
violent counter-attacks have been
launched by the Germans against
the Americans, but all these have
been sustained. The Germans i'm
this region now are badly outfanked
by ting French standing on the left
ct the American line at Vouziers
and it is probable they soon will
be compelled to readjust their en-l
tire line from the north of Vouziers
to the region of Etain.
British Pursuing Turks.
London, Oct. 25-An official
communication dealing with the op-
erations in Mesopotamia, issued by
he war office tonight SAYS:
On the 18th of October we were
n contact with Turkish forces hold
ng strong position astride the I'll.
yris near Fatah, where the river
lows through the Jebel Hamrin
,ountry. On October q the enemy
etlred northward under cover 81
darkness towards Lesfrzab pursued
~ US.
Serbians Near Belgrade.
With the Allied Armies ON the
serbian Front, via Saloniki, Oct. rs.
The Serbians, supported by
'rench cavalry, north of Nish are
to advance with Bel
,rade eight miles distant. The food
problem with any army but the Ser
'ian would be difficult. The Ser
'ians advance whether they are fed
n not: They are being aided BY
guerrilla bands who hid in the
early in the war and are
,ow. making their way down from
ne heights to cut off portions Of the
nemy Struggling in the rear. '
1t is evidently the desire of the
lustro- Germans to evacuate Serbia
$ quickly and as eheaply as poss:-
ie. But their retreat is being aaauI1s
Q txrk H. Al