The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-20
TWO-THIRDS OF

IWU-IHIhUS UF
sContinued from Page One.b
into the Champagne. 1t is thought
that they may strike south of Laon
seeking to gain the attention of Cen
eral Foch and his reserve army while
their real effort is made further north
in an attempt to separate the British
French armies.
Meanwhile British raiding activity
grows livelier. In a successful opera
ton between the Ancre and Somme
rivers east of Amiens; Australian
troops have occupied Vile Sur Ancre
and captured $50 prisoners. On the
same front between the Somme and ar
ras the British have carried out minor
raids northwest of Albert and near
Hamel. Artillery and aerial work
continues at a high pitch.
Fighting Livelier in Italy.
There is increased local fighting on
the Italian front, especially in the
mountains in the western Trentino.
Austro-Hungarian troops have at
tempted attacks in the Mantello and
Adamello region but were driven back.
In the Giudicaria valley, in the same
in breaking up an enemy outpost.
Excepting for the storming of Casa
tasson ridge, north of Monte Grapha
by the Italians. who captured prison
ers the activity on the front between
Lake Garda and the Adriatic has
been confined to artillery lombard
mentS -: ~
Four German airplanes were
brought down during an enemy raid
on London and the southeast coast
of England Sunday night This is the
largest number yet to fall before the
ported to have been dropped. 1t was
the firsr>enemy airplane raid on Lon
don since April IL, and the first on
London since March.
Best Story From Pershfng.
Washington, May 20.-Aside from
was quiet day at all points occupied
by American troops says General
Pershing in his official communique
transmitted today to the war depart
ment.
! General Pershings communique to-
day brought its best story, so far, of
the valor and. sacrifice of American
blood on the battle fields of France.
1T also gave eloquent testimony to the
spirit Of democracy which knows no
race nor color.
1t told of the gallant death of Ma
the flying corps. gentleman GLIDE trot-
ter and one of the first filters of the
celebrated lafayette escadrille. It told
also of the heroic fight of two Amer
lean negro soldiers, both wounded,
who withstood a raiding party OF
twenty Germans and saved comrades
from surprise and capture. Notwith-
standing these two incidents General
Pershing referre dto yesterday as a
quiet day
Gain in Macedonia.
Paris, May 20 Sunday, May 49,
French and italian troops have made
an advance of twelve kilometers OH
H.
Macedonian 'front.', the war office an
Eounced tonight. -
On May II and IS the French de-
stroyed twelve airplanes and forced
down twenty-three others damaged.
Four captive balloons were, destroyed.
In addition three German planes were
downed by artillery fire, one of them
by Americans.
French airp1anes dropped more
than forty-eight tons of explosives on
barracks and stations in the enemy
zones, causing great damage.
Significance may attach to the re-
ports the official statements are now
carrying of heavy artillery fire in the
sector between Arras and Albert,
which comprises the northerly con-
tinuation of the Somme battle front.
London today thus announces a
artillery activity between Albert and
Bucquoy, a ten mile front covering
about half the. distance between Al
bert and Arras.
British Guns Busy.
Similarly, the German official state
ment of yesterday reported the British
guns busy along the entire Albert-Ar-
ras front where the German batteries
were subjected to violent fire. 1t is
along this line that many of the mil
itary observers are qualifiedly predict
ing that the expected blow will be
struck.
What is known as the Arras salients
Of the Somme and the Lys. is stand
ing in the way of a. further German
ADVANCE toward the coast on the
Franco-B British lines of communica-
ton. By cutting these lines at impor-
tant points, the enemy apparently
hopes to divide the two armies. The
reduction of the Arras salient by a
mighty blow would carry the Germans
far toward Doulens, IS miles north of
Amiens and about IS miles west of
the present line. Capture of this val
liable junction point would badly dis
rupt the allied communicating lines
and such an operation would most in
evitably carry Amiens also into enemy
possession Against such a blow the
allies are reported to- have forces
heavily nassed and to be confidently
awaiting the result of possible at
tack in this quarter.
There was quiet yesterday along the
front at all points occupied by Ameri-
cans except that the air forces were
active. The fighting resulted in favor
of Americans who brought down
machines the American headquarters
statement reports. while Paris an
nounced another airplane to have been
shot down by American gunners. The
American air service, however, lost
its star aviator, Maj. Raoul Lufbery.
who with eighteen enemy machines
to his credit, fell a victim to a Ger
man two-man machine.
Chicago Grain and Precision Market
Chicago, May 20.-CORN-CIase: May.
81. IN @127X; June. n.41x; July, $1.43x@
1.43&.
oxTs-May, 7sc; Jeune. 7s,sc; July,
6sQ6SHc.