The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-09-19
DRIVE OF ALLIES
IS NEAR A CRISIS
Further Successful Moves by
Foch Nay Force Change
in German Front.
BAD WEATHER HALTS ADVANCE
Mud in Low Places Limits Fighting
to High Ground-stiIE Making
Some Gains.

military position of the Germans from
the region west of Cambria south
ward to the ST. Gobian Tnassif, and
around this strong bastion eastward
to the territory north and northeast
of scissors, continues to hold the eyes
of the world.
For the moment the tactical ma
neuvers of the belligerents in Artois
and Flanders, as well as eastward of
scissors into Champagne, although
they still are of the greatest import,
necessarily continue to take second
place in interest to those sectors
which are filled with momentous pos
sibilities, where a successful move by
the Allies may bring quick change
in the entire German battle front, or
on the contrary, a determined stand
by the enemy with the large re-en-
forcements in man and gun power he
is known to have assembled, may re-
suit, for time at least, in a stale
mate in the game which is being
played by the Allies to crack the al
ready demoralized German line.
The heavy rains of the last few
days have turned Iowlands through
out the fighting zone into Quagmires,
but on those sectors of the high
ground, between Cambria and Sois-
sons, the storms have not kept the
British and French armies from NOV
ing forward. Nor have they served
to lessen the strength of the enemy's
resistance.
Near Couzeaucourt and Harvin-
court the British have pressed on d
little further toward Cambria, in the
former region after having put down
counter attacks by the Germans, who
endeavored to reclaim the high ground
won by the British in Sundays fight
ing.
To the south the French from the
district west of ST. Quentin south
ward to the western side of the St
Gobain Forest have pushed eastward
toward the Disc river, which they are
virtually upon all along this front,
with their f1anks now resting danger
ousIy near both ST. Quentin and La
Fere. ST. Quentin now stands only q
little more than three miles away,
while La Fere is so closely encroach-
ed upon from the west and outflanked
from the north that seemingly it soon
must fall
German Defense Stiffened.
London, Sept 10.-The battle on
the western front is entering a new
phase. The enemy at last is making
a serious stand just short of the series
of positions commonly called the Hin
denburg Hne-positions which, how
ever, already have been bitten into by
and touched by the French in the ST.
Gobain region at Servias and Bassoles-
aulers.
The Germans are doubling their
rear guards and seeking by counter at
tacks to slow up, if they cannot stop
outright, the encroaching tide of the
Allies. Their efforts have been in
vain, Notwithstanding the new meas
ures adopted, in checking the advance
of the French and the British, for both
pushed forward yesterday in the di-
rection of st. Quentin. The French
made such progress across the Crozat
Canal that the enemy no longer can
hope to defend it.
At Gates of la Fere.
General Humbert's center is at the
gates of La Fere and General Mangin's
left is beginning to creep around the
ST. Gobain Forest by the west, while
his right beat off the enemy's attacks,
from which the Germans sought to
cling to the Aisne front. More of such
attacks are probable. They are local
affairs and a more serious effort is
not likely to be made.
WORKING for q RESPITE,
General Ludendorff is working for
the respite which he must have if he
is to sort out his disorganized divisions
and try to whip up some sort OF a
strategic reserve This respite he
hopes his shortened front, requiring
fewer men in the line, will give him.
Marshal Foch is likely to be aware,
however, whether the enemy is suffi-
GENTLY weakened and demoralized to
be smashed at some part Of the present
battle front or whether a stroke else
where would be advisable, thus giving
a rest to the armies that have fought
so indefatigably for the last two
months.
Americans Smash Ahead.
With the American Army on the