Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-10-12
Germans Proceed at Rapid Speed Towards Borders
 Under Allies Lash.
PUSHED BACK FOR
 45 MILES QUICKLY
Have Lost This Ground Since Big July Often
 sive Started.


 The grip of the Germans on North ern France has been loosened and the process of herding them back to their borders is proceeding at an increas- ingly rapid pace under the allied lash,
 Already since the beginning of the July offensive, which initiated the loosening process, the allies have pushed the enemy back a maximum of 45 miles, from the Ancre near AL bert to the tip of the present Anglo American wedge at Le Cateau. A scant 25 miles more will bring them on this line to the Belgian from tier south of Maubeuge. But long be- fore that point is reached the pressure on all sides if continued at the pres ent rate, will havt resulted in the clearing of the enemy from virtually all French territory and a great part of Belgian soil.
 A General Retreat.
 The Germans, indeed, are already carrying out general retreat. But it lis retreat under pressure and, although being skillfully conducted, is bound to cost them heavily in men and material.
 General Ludendorff patiently has been desirous of withdrawing to a shorter line where he could re-organ- ize his forcts, but the steady, unrelen- ting pressure which Marshal Foch has applied all along the front has made it impossible for him to detach himself for such an operation. He cannot break contact with his adver- sary, as he would like to do, and con- sequently is obliged to fall back slow 1 ly. fighting hard and losing heavily in his backward course.
 Last nights developments and l those of today along the wide battle front only served to accentuate the extent of the German extent and the acceleration of it's peace. The official reports reveal the British and the Americans cooperating with them still widening the great wedge in the German line southeast of Cambrai, process in which the French to the south are aiding notably. General Petain's troops have pushed to the Ri yer Disc to point almost as far north as Guise where they join up with the British and Americans who are rapid ly nearing the important railway i junction of Wassigny, south and east of Le Cateau.
 Sensational Drive.
 This sensational drive in the cen l ter is matched in efficacy, however l by the terrific pressure of the French armies south of Laon and along the l line north of the Aisne and in the Champagne. This movement. in con junction with the drive to the north, | is. according to today's advices, mak- | ing it inevitable that the Germans re- tire from Laon and the great St. Gobain massif. The withdrawal ir- deed. appears to be under way here as elsewhere. The Americans are with the French in applying the pressure in the Champagne and the American first army, in its drive in the Argon- mt area, has joined hands with Gener- al Petain's troops at Grand Pre-. Fur ther east the strong line on which the Germans stood to resist the Am erican drive west, of the Rouse IS trembling under tht blows of General Pershing's troops, and further ad- vances by the American forces are looked for here.
 l Held In Leash. .... On the far northern end of tht bat tie line the Anglo Belgian forces are apparently being held in leash to i thrust again for closing of the pock- ct in which Douai now is enclosed, to- gether with the great manufacturing city of Lille, as soon as the north easterly thrust of the British first third and fourth armies has pro gressed to the desired point. The Germans in the Lens area. however are not waiting for this trap to be sprung and are continuing their with