The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1918-10-24
FRENCH TROOPS FIND WILFUL DESTRUCTION
in EVACUATED VILLAGES
British Have Crossed Ecaoon River and French Have
Crossed the Sambre Cana-LveIy Fighting Along
the Serre River

With the Allies in France-The British have taken
over 5000 prisoners and many guns in their attack begun
wednesday morning on the front below Valencennes.
Washington despatch says that the descision of the
Americans co-beligerents President Wilson's latest
German note despatched Wednesday night is waited with
scarcely less interest than the effect It will have on the
German people. They plainly told that the United
States cannot discuss peace with those who have hitherto
been masters of Gemanys policy because the nations of
The world do not and cannot trust them The Presidents
rote undoubtedly framed in full accord with the al
Lied governments with whom the President has been in
frequent consultation since Germany made the first pro-
posal Of peace.
With the French Forces on the Champa gne-The en-
gneers of Gen. Gerauds army in exploring the region
from which the German troops have been driven have dis
covered in many villages evidence of the methods by
which the destruction of dwellings, churches and other
public places organized They find the entire region
;bounding with an indication of wanton and wful de-
E'astation.
A despatch from London says that sharp fighting
continued up to late hour Wednesday evening the
battlefront south of Valencennes where the British made
their attack in the morning The British forces have
crossed the Escaillon river and captured the village of
Neuvle Late Wednesday their attack repulsed but
this morning it was resumed all along the front between
SabreetOse canal and the Schedt river The forest of
Raismes north of Vaenciennes is occupied by the Brit
ish. North of this forest the British have captured
Theirs, Haute Rive and Thun villages.
A Paris despatch says that southeast of LEcateau
the French have crossed the Sabre canal east of Grand
Verify where despite strong German counteratacks they
maintained their gains South of Mont Conet the French
have increased their gains and also north of Nzyscome
Along the river Serre north OF Nesbrecour there has
been lively fighting on both sides.
AWashington despatch in analyzing the Presidents
note to Germany says that it there will be
arisce except unconditional surrender; peace with
the Kaiser and his war lords or later Thus the
President has given in advance his final decision in
informing the spokesman of Germany that he acced
ed to their request that he take up with the Allies their
plea for armstice and peace negotiations The latest
German note is now on its way to Berlin it having been
cabled Immediately by the Swiss diplomat the Presidents
uncompromsng sentences going the cables in code
Immediately after it cabled the note sent broad
cast to the world from the Arlington naval radio towers
A Washington despatch says that those in the Pres
ens confidence emphasize point that both the Pres
jden and the United States through with separ
ate dealings with the German authorities. The whole sit
uation is before the cobeligerent governments and
future announcements will be with the United States and
the allied governments acting in concert
A Washington despatch received here at o'clock
says that the American troops have made continued pro-
gress north of Verdun Gen Pershng reports that his
forces penetrated the eneys positions both east and
west Of the Meuse. Wednesday Is enemy arpanes and
observation balloon shot down during many air
cobats In these contests three American balloons
destroyed and six planes failed to return.
countries stTive for demo-