The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-10-24
Onslaught by Americans Fore.
seen to Smash Pivot of Ger
man Line of Retreat.
HAIG SURGES FORWARD
French Gain Two to Three Miles,
Reach Serre River, Northwest
of Laon-Beigians Take a
Bridgehead on Lys Canal.

With the American Army North
west of Verdun, Oct. 24.-rhe
town of RrieulIes, on the west
bank of the Meuse, which has
been stubbornIy defended, has
been given up by the enemy.
London, Oct. 24.-Northeast of
Laon French troops have reached
the line of the Serre river, an
advance of two to three miles on
an eight mile front. In Field Mar
shall Haig's new attack between lie
Cateau and soIesmes, the British
advanced one mile.
Paris, Oct. 24.-The British are
In Valenciennes, II 10 reported.
London, Oct 24.-British troops
again are storming the German de.
lenses west of Maubeuge. The new
attack, launched between Solesmes
and lie Cateau, is reported to be max.
ing good progress.
Field Marshal Haig in driving for
ward on the seven mile front north of
lie Cateau, also is increasing the men,
ace to Valenciennes, through the west
ern suburbs of which the British are
fighting. North of V~alenciemnes the
city has been outlanked by the cap
ture of Bruay. 1t is not probable the
Germans will be able to hold u in
Valenciennes much longer, and once
the Scheldt is crossed here the British
will be in position to threaten serious.
ly both Mons and Maubeuge.
Drive at Metz Seen.
The eyes of the Allied world are
now directed at the Lorraine and
WoeVre sectors in expectation of an
American onslaught on Metz.
There have been raiding operations
there and further west during the last
few days and raids are usually precur-
sors of an attack. 1t has been estab-
lished that Metz is the hinge upon
which the whole German line is retir-
ing, and a blow at that fortress might,
II successful, throw into confusion the
whole retrograde movement which is
going on from the Meuse to the North
sea.
Vital Hun Line Assailed.
Between lie Cateau and Solesmes
the British are on the high ground
east of the Selle river, and it is from
this favorable position today's attack
was begun. The German resistance
here has been bitter, as the line is
vital to the security of the German de
lenses over a wide front to the south
and southeast.
In southwestern Belgium the British
continue to close in on Journal. North
of the town they have forced a cross
ing of the Scheldt, while on the south
they have reached the western bank
of the river on a four mile front from
Bruyelles to Bleharies.
Retreat Averages % Miles.
During the last 81 days of fighting
the Allies have advanced along the
line from Pont au Mousson to Nieu
port an average distance of about rs
miles. This advance aggregated 3s
miles from Chateau Thierry to Grand
lup, SO from Amiens to the Sambre
river and SO from Dixmude to the
Eecloo-Zeebrugge canal.
The grand average is held to a low
figure by the fact that attacks east Of
Rheims have not carried the German
line back over permanent Notifications
and against desperate resistance az
far as the enemy was forced to fee
further west and north. In this sector
the progress made, however, is as i'm
portant as much greater advance ir
some other part of the front.