The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-08
French Strike on Adjoining
Sector of Line.
Drive Forces Huns Back on 2S-
Mile Front.
ALLIES GO IN FIVE MILES
Average Gain on Whole Front
Over 21a Miles.
Situation Most Favorable Since
the War Began.

London, Aug. 8 10 p. m.)
British troops have reached Har-
bonnieres (an advonce of about
five miles and a half it was
learned this afternoon.
Several thousand prisoners are
reported to have been taken.
Best Since War Began.
London, Aug. 8 (3:42 p. my
The situation on the west front
is now considered more favor
able for an allied victory in the
field than at any time since the
beginning of the war.
The period of anxiety has de-
finitely passed. The allies soon
will have a great superirity in
men and material to further as
sist in retaining the initiative.
(By the Associated Press)
Marshal Foch has launched a
fresh blow against the Germans
in a new sector.
The attack started at dawn to-
day on a wide front, east and
southeast of Amiens. T h e
French first army and the Brit
ish fourth army are engaged in
this new offensive, which is un-
der the immediate direction of
Field Marshal Haig, the British
commander in chief.
Both Paris and London official
statements report satisfactory
progress in the attack.
The field of the fighting is the
scene of the most pronounced
German success in this years Sc
ries of enemy offensives. 1t was
in the first German blow, deliv-
cred against the British front be-
tween Cambria and La Fere on
March 21 that. the enemy estab-
ished the vast salient that has
since stood virtually intact, with
its apex at Montdidier and its
base roughly extending along
the line from Albert near the
Somme, on the north, to Noyon
on the Disc on its southern side
London, Aug. S-According to ad
vices received in London, the French
and British forces which attacked thi.
morning in the Picardy sector have
cdvanced at some points to a depth O.
more than three miles.
Several thousand prisoners have
been taken by the Franco British
forces in their offensive in Picardy
the Evening Standard learns.
Capture Important Towns.
According to reports received thi
afternoon the allies have captured th'
towns of Moreuil, Demuin. Ablancour
and Morlancourt, the heights west o
Cerisy an the heights south of Nor
lancourt-
The greatest -ecrecy surrounded
plans for the attack. During the nigh
British lines but their shells were IN
effective. An extraordinary larg'
number of tanks accompanied th
Storming troops, clearing the way 70
tnen in the gray light of dawn ant
helping to overcome enemy stronl
points.
French Followed British.
With the British Army in France
Aug S.-The German positions jus
south of the Ancre river were heavil.
attacked by the British. Their assault
extended to the south. where thei
right wing joins the French lines
Three-quarters of an hour after tn,
British attacked the Germans, tn
French took up the battle. The mai.
weight to the allied blow was directed
against General Won Hutier's eigh
teenth army.
The line attacked this morning ex
tenGs roughly from the neighborhoo,
of Morlancourt, about three miles AM
a half southwest of Albert. to tn
Avre valley south of Moreuil.
Details of the fighting are comin
to the rear slowly. Going fine" con
gstitutes the best available information
The British launched their attack il
mist after only three minutes of ar
tillery preparation.
RepuIse Counter Attacks.