The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-14
AMERICAN TROOPS
CAPTURED 10000
HUNS IN Two DAYS
Advanced Thirteen Miles Dur
ing That Time.
Germans Readjust Their Lines
North of FreSnes.
YANKS STILL MAKE PROGRESS
Huns Left Nancy-Verdun Rail-
road Virtually Intact.
Didn't Have Time To Destroy
1t Before Fleeing.
YANKS STILL MAKE PROGRESS
Huns Left Nancy-Verdun Rail,
road Virtually Intact.
Didn't Have Time To Destroy
1t Before Fleeing.
(By the Associated Press.)

The scope of the victory won by
the American first army in Lorraine
in it's initial offensive effort continues
to grow. The number of prisoners
taken is now said to number 10000,
which is virtually the equivalent OF two
enemy divisions.
General Pershing's forces in two
days drove in to a maximum depth of
thirteen miles, which is approximately
the distance from the tip of the salient
below st. Mihiel to Hattonville, mile
and a half north of Vigneulles, thru
which the American line was last re-
ported as running.
The Germans are reported read
iusting their lines on the edges of the
former salient, the probabilities being,
however, that they are not being al
lowed to do this in peace by the
American forces or the French on the
flanks. What further development
the offensive may have is uncertain
at present, the official cOmmunica-
tions and even the news dispatches,
today throwing little light on the pros
poets.
Whatever the immediate future may
hold, however, the ultimate effect of
the drive which completely wiped out
the st. Mihiel salient with a rapidity
almost unexampled for such a large
operation, is bound to be important.
If the offensive were undertaken for
the purpose of opening UP the way
for subsequent drive against Metz
and possibly the important Brfey iron
fields now in German hands that has
already achieved large purpose.
(By the Associated Press.)
London, Sept. IA (1:30 p. my
General Pershing's troops in their
operations in the st. Mihiel sector
have increased the number of Ger
mans captured to $4,000.
The maximum depth OF the new
positions taken by the American forces
in the st. Mihie1 sector is thirteen
| miles from the former line.
North of the old st. Mihie1 salient
the. Germans are readjusting their
lines. . In the neighborhood of Chatil-
lon, six miles northwest of Fresnes
| the enemy is retiring and French pa
trolls are in touch with him. The Ger
| mans have gone back for distance
of one to two miles at this point.
Continue Advance.
The Americans, after eliminating
| the st. Mihie1 salient, are continuing
! their advance. From Pagny, across
| the Mose1le river from Germany ter
ritory, the new front extends in almost
tonville, where it advances slightly
| toward the northwest over tC
| Fresnes. This reduction of the front
line from some forty to twenty miles
| places at the disposal OF the all1eC
| commanders an enormous force OF
| men for future operations in this Sec
tor or on other fronts.
Ready for Invasion of Germany.
| Having accomplished the task OF
| wiping out the salient the offensive
| movement continues to push forward
| and the further Strengthening of the
line is probable. The Americans al
this stage of the drive command posi-
tons fave sble for the direct invasion
of German territory if such a course
| should be decided upon. Altho the
| important German fortress of Metz is
in no immediate danger, it's outlying
| Qualifications are within range OF
American heavy guns at Pagny. Metz
| Itself furnishes an excellent target fol
a ed airmen, who already have taker
advantage of the opportunity and
dropped many bombs on railway sta.
tions and military stores in the city
and vicinity. With it's strong outer
protection of Notifications, a fronta
attack on Metz could hardly be ex
4 pected but an outflanking movement
by tn americans on the west or b,
the French and Americans from the
south would force the Germans tt
eVacuate both the fortress and the
territory surrounding it.
| Left Railroad Intact
In their haste to get out of tn,
salient, with as little loss of men an6
military supplies as possible the Ger
mans left the railroad from Verdun tt