Le MeschaceÌbeÌ. [volume] ([Lucy] La.) 1853-1942, 1918-09-21
AMERICANS SMASH
GERMAN DEFENSES
MANY PRISONERS, ARTILLERY,
MACHINE GUNS, TRENCH NOR
TARS AND SUPPLIES TAKEN.
AUSTRIAN PEACE OFFER
The Austro Hungarian Government
Has Invited All 5eIIigerent Gov
ernments to Enter Into
Peace Discussion.

the American troops, supported by
French divisions, captured $4,000 pris
oners, more than 200 guns of all cali
bers, and hundreds of machine guns
and trench mortars. This was dis
closed by General Pershing's com.
muniques Monday received at the war
department.
The enemy was pressed so hard,
General Pershing said, that he was
forced to abandon great quantities of
ammunition, telegraph and railroad
materials, rolling stock, clothing and
equipment. In addition he burned
large stores.
That the Americans still are press
ing on at least in part of the sector
was shown by the communication Mon
day, which said that on the left bank
of the Moselle the American lines had
been extended to from one to two
miles, during which operation seven
ty-two guns were brought in.
The enemy reacted near st. Hilaire
but his counter attack easily was re-
pulsed and additional prisoners taken,
the American commander reported.
General Pershing's announcement
that the Americans advancing on the
two sides of the ST Mihiel salient had
been able to form a juncture in twen-
ty-seven hours after they went over
the top occasioned no surprise among
of OF nncnifn
references in press dispatches to two
days of fighting, these officers felt
confident that the Americans had at
tanned the immediate objectives of
their first Independent offensive in
about twenty-four hours.
The American line on the left bank
of the Moselle river in the St. Mihiel
sector has been advanced from one to
two miles and now includes the towns
of Vilcey and Norroy, General Per
shing said in his communique received
at the war department An enemy
counter attack, launched near st. Hi
laire, was easily repulsed and num-
Der of prisoners taken.
Seventy-two guns abandoned by the
enemy in his hasty retreat" were |
brought in during the normal exten- |
sion of the American lines beyond |
Jaulny, General Pershing said. This |
brought the total number of guns cap
tured since the Americans started the
drive which wiped out the St Mihiel
salient to more than 200.
In extending an invitation to all the
belligerent governments to enter into
discussions at some neu-
trail meeting place, the Austro-Hun- |
garian government stated that the OBJ
iect of the conference would be to Sc
cure an exchange of views which
would show whether those prere-
quisites exist which would make the
speedy Inauguration of peace negotia-
lions appear promising"
Germany's latest peace feeler, ad-
Tanced through Austria, it was official
y stated Monday, best finds its an
swer in President Wilson's Baltimore
speech delivered last April
Force, force to the utmost, force
without stint or limit, the righteous
md triumphant force which shall
make right the law of the world, and
,ast every selfish dominion down in
he dust
That was the presidents answer
hen and it was reiterated it was his
nswer now
No one doubts that it is the answer
f all the allies.
The British steamer Galway Castle I
f 1888 tons gross was torpedoed and
unk Thursday. She had $50 persons
n board, of whom more than $50 were
eported saved.
The Galway Castle left London for
outh Africa Wednesday last and was
1rpedoed Thursday in a stormy sea. I
hundreds of the passengers were res j
les by attending steamers. The miss Y
lg number is 1S9. They include 120 I
assengers, SO naval and military Of r
GERS and men, and SS of the crew. t
Ninety third-class passengers lost a
ere without exception women and t
lildren.
The liner floated for two days, In
large of the captain and volunteers.
The Central News account of the e
hiking says that one of the lifeboats Il
as driven by stormy sea against A
e ships propeller and smashed One r,
the steamers passengers, the ac- n
unit adds, was Henry Burton, minis +
r Of railways Of the Union of South tt
friea parliament, who is missing. q