The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-12
Get Beyond the Du NOrd North
of HavrincOurt.
Reach the Canal North and
East of MOeuvres.
FRENCH FRONT IS INACTIVE
Taking of Travency Probably
Means Fall of La Fere.
Germans Seek To Drive French
From Vantage Points.

London, Sept. 12.-British forces
have effected a crossing of the Canal
du Nord to the northwest of the town
of Havrincourt, Field Marshal Haig
announced in his official report today.
The canal line here forms the main
defense of Cambria on the southwest
A short distance to the north, the
British have pushed to the westerly
banks of the canal, east and north of
Moeuvres, and esta blished themselves
there.
British troops have captured the
towns of Vermand, Attiily and Ven
delles, all on the front northwest of
st. Quentin, Field Marshal Haig an
nounced in his official report today
In their advance toward st. Quentin
the British have progressed as far as
the western outskirts of HoInon wood,
southeast of Attily
The Germans offered stiff opposi-
ton in the Havrincourt and Moetvres
sectors which the British overcarne.
Only Raids on French Front.
Paris, Sept. 12.-Onfy raiding opera
tions and artillery activity along the
French front are reported in today's
war office statement.
Evacuation of La Fere Likely,
tBy the Associated Press.)
With the occupation of Travency
and the heights dominating the
country to the south, General Petain's
forces have outflanked the important
German positions at La Fere. This
advance by the French over a narrow
front of only two miles presages the
evacuation of La Fere by the Ger
mans and general weakening of their
lines before the vital stronghold of
st. Gobain forest.
Slowly the allies are pushing the
enemy back on his Hindenburg line
defenses from La Fere to st. Quentin,
slight advances being made by both
the French and British armies fight
ing In this area. The French have
taken and passed Hinaeourt and re-
tained their hold on Essigny-Le
by repulsing enemy attacks. The
British in their drive for st. Quentin
have reached Vermand, about six
miles west of the Hindenburg line
running thru Cambria, which with st.
Quentin form the central pivots of the
German defenses between La Fere and
1pres. Counter attacks launched by
the Germans in an effort TO prevent
the British from driving a wedge be-
tween Cambria and st. Quentin were
repulsed near Il Gouzeaucourt.- I'm
favorable fighting weather has served
oS oil dlu 10 tHe enemy Dut despite
the rain and the sitter resistance of
the foe, Field Marshal Haig's men con-
tlnue to make progress towards the
Hindenburg line.
Artillery activity continues in the
st Gobain sector and also between
the Aisne and the Vesle where the
Germans are making valiant effort
10 retain possession of the ST. Gobain
and Chemin des Danes stronghoIds
ana prevent the allies from forcing
them to fall back all along their line
east of Rheims. In the region of Lar
faux and in the Aisne area, enemy at
tempts to approach new French. posi-
tions We're repulsed, the Germans los
lhg $50 prisoners. In Flanders the
Bfltish have advanced their lines
northwest of Hulluch and made prog
ress west of Armentieres. which the
Germans took from them last spring.