New-York tribune., 1918-11-03

Americans. The Germans tonight are
in retreat beyond the Freya positions.
The Germans have retired so rapidly
at some points that the Americans have
experienced difficulty in maintaining
contact with the enemy.
More than sixty cannon, scores of
IT'S, dozens of 1908, numerous howit-
zers of various calibres and hundreds
Of machine guns were captured by the
Americans during the advance of Fri
day and Saturday. Vast quantities of
ammunition and war material of all
kinds Fell into their hands.
General Pcrshing's forces west Of
the Meuse this afternoon captured
Fosse. This represents an advance of
four miles from the starting line
through Bayonville.
The Germans gave little if any indi-
cation Of an impending retreat until
this afternoon. All morning long the
Americans on every part of the front
had met with stubborn resistance.
The opposition was especially de-
termined on the left and right, and the
American centre had pushed forward
considerably further than had either
wing. Though the centre had intended
to continue and to attain its days OBJ
jectives, it was apparent there soon
would have to be a pause if the troops
were not to be fanked.
Good News Doubted
SO certain were the military COM
manders that the Germans would not
break that the chief Of staff of the
troops in the centre belittled the re-
port arriving about 2 o'clock this after
noon that the town Of Fosse had been
taken.
One hour later, however, reports be-
gan to come thick and fast. The first
showed that resistance against the
American left had unaccountably
ceased. Then came reports indicating
that the right wing was moving ahead
at marvellous speed.
This morning, despite the increased
volume Of the enemy fire, the Ameri-
cans were steadily advancing, although
more slowly than on Friday. The line
at noon showed no losses of territory,
while some improvement of it had been
effected
Resistance Grows Weak
The first intimation that the enemy
was retreating came from the Fourth
French Army, which was advancing to
the northeast. Within a short time va
rious American units from all parts Of
the line announced that they also were
advancing and were finding the resist
ance, which was so marked all morn
ing, melting away on the right. Even
troops in motor trucks had not been
able to catch up with the enemy.
The Americans were not slow in fol-
lowing the advantage on the left wing,
which had met with the most serious
resistance, and began to press forward
imme diately in the Bois des Loges on
the heels Of the Germans, cleaning up
all who Jagged behind They pushed
their line northward for nearly mile.
Champigneville, strong point in the
Freya defence line, had been taken
earlier in the day, and the troops who
had rushed it pressed forward and
swept through Verpel, after partly sur
rounding the town.
In Rain and Mud
Through rain and mud the Americans
advanced toward Thenorgues, a mile
and half north of Verpel. The enemy
had been expected to hold there, fol
it was strong position, but very little
resistance was met with when the vii.
lage was entered.
Troops further to the right continued
their victorious march and fought thei,
way beyond Buzancy to Fosse, a strone
poitn nearly seven miles beyong yes
terday's starting point and two and s
half miles north Of Bayonville.
Bayonville is an important strategic
point, known as the heart of the Frevs
Stellung. With it's capture the Ameri
can troops had broken the Germans
| last organized defences.