The Hawaiian gazette., 1918-09-17
FOCH STRIKES
A, NEW BLOW .
AGAINST tAON

DARIS, September l5-(Asso-
) ciated Press )-General Foch,
in accordance with his policy of
not permitting the Germans a
breathing space within which to
rest, has now followed the St. Mi
hiel victory by launching an at
tack along the bend in the line
around Laon, with such success
that the French last night were
within a mile in places and two
miles in others of those vital posi-
tons which the Germans must re-
tain if they are to remain in con-
'tfol Of Northern France this Win
ter.
With the St. Mihiel tension
leSSened, attention is now cen
tered upon the French drive along
the Aisne Athletic front. Petain's
advance here, if it continue, will
soon compel another German re-
treat along a wide front. From
the direction in which this latest
drive is being made, it is evident
ly Foch's plan to render the Che
minis DIES Danes line untenable.
The French began their new at
tack Mt dawn on both sides of the
Ai'.tte River between the Aisne and
! me Vesle in the direct III Of the Forest
| of COucy at the southern end of the
st. GObain massif, the drive making
satisfactory progress. The attack was
made Along front of eleven miles,
gaining an average Of more than a
mile and reaching II maximum Of two
miles in Places.
New Towns Taken
South of the AiI'ttr River the
! French have taken Mont Disages and
the villages of Allemont and Sancy
| and have reached the edge of the
town o. Nailly, on the north bank of
| the Aisne east Of scissors.
The attack was launched at five in
the morning and one French division
at an early hour reported having TAX en-
a thousand prisoners, while other divi-
J siOnS announced total of eight hun.
! drcd before noon. The Germans conn
tered repeatedly during tire day, but
their attacks were weak although their
front lines were strongly held and
prisoners reported that they W.re un-
der orders to stand their ground at
oil costs.
| South Of the Aisre, operating on
the left of the American line, the
| French made some gains.
The French advance threatens to
turn the German flank on the west Of
the Chemins des DANES line and is
now reaching point whrE it is com
mencing seriously to threaten Laor
From the southwPst
British Make Gains
Yesterday was also day OF bitter
fighting for the British, with a number
OF net gains Of importance. In Elan.
ders, gust south Of La BasScI', Haiy
reports the occupation of Auchy le
Bassee. after hard fighting. When the
GermHms were driven out they organ.
! lied several strong counters, but the
British retained their new ground.
! Degenerate German efforts were made
to regain their old positions on the
high ground along tn" Havrncourt-
GOuz caucOurt sector. southwest Of
Cambria. During the night they at
tackled with humid fire aud bombs and
at one r0iut tn" British were temp.
Orarily thrown back The Germans
were eventually benten of.
FIT II Hundred Prisoners
Along this front on Thursday, in
advancing their line the British took
more than fifteen huudrcd prisoners
when occupying Fresr"urt and Havrin-
court. Yesterday afternoon, follow.
ing the final defeat of the German
attacls. tie British advanced their
line still further enst. establishing new
posts ~ the east aud north of HaV-
rincOurt.
South Of this point, east aud south,
east Of Rois"I, the British int eaSt
of HPsbecOurt and JeancOurt was adj
Vanced.