The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-09-13
Con1plete Success Meets Efforts OF
 American Army
Metz, Across German Border, Apparently Pershing's Objective-Part of Hun Army Seems Ragged in
 American Trap

Washington September 12-Sxteen months by the United States reached it's first goal today when Gen era Peshngs forces struck their first independent blow France against the German army.
 Reports tonight show that meeting the Ameri commanders effort fling the enemy of the sharp salient thrust in behind the fortress of Verdun in the first of the But of greater significance cas the fact that the attack that the months of ceaseess toll effort have brought third great organized backed by its supplies and mill lions soldiers needed which has taken it's place beside the French and British and is striking for decisive ltory for democratic ideals.
 Up late hour official report from General Pershng had General March chiefoaff and his officers gathered about the great however tracing the lines press they received President visited Acting Secretary Crowe dur ing the afternoon, there doubt that he what General Pershng had accomplished what might be expected to develop from this blow.
 First reports vague They told merely that can had launched attack around the Mhe salient the only sharp thrust toward the heart of France that remained the German leaders to show for their offensive efforts since he war began It seemed possible that the objective tack Metz the Moscllc
 EMPLOYS FINGER TACTICS
 had % h Ur G
 Foch has now used with repeated in hurng ders saents The chance lay ready to the American leaders
 Almost the war-wracked fortress of verdun which has defied German effort the Mihie a e na toward Paris Along the eastern of this salient American also were on the line between verdun and St. Mhe but Frencn, rested upon that line.
 susing forward l2mile front St. Mihel rershngs have rolled the complicated the all along the line and thrust eel.hod the territory behind the that town From the other side another American thrust the lines forward to meet the bulge from the is be- drawn about the forces that salient 1t only 20 miles the ports tonight showed that this had to less than IS miles
 Through that narrowing the in the deph of the salient must and withdraw that might turn the retreat into off the French forces which batterng them all along St. Mi hiel front. - - '
 POSSIBLE TO TRAP ENEMY
 On the face of tonights officers good promise that General Pershng might clos the neck of the bag and trapping considerable force The Mhie showed there considerable German force still in the depths of the trap. ~ ~
 The American attack shapes up is ma for action it said and there doubt strongest American forces yet employed engaged Possibly quarter of mill lion American troops either action
 The advance of the eastern jaw wide base Re- ports indicate that it had broken through first rush until General Pershng could fling cavalry on both sides prevent counter attacks his Hanks very width of his battle ne however tends to protect him also to give his
 a thrust the power that will carry the road that is the only lme of retreat for the Germans St. Mihie
 To many officers the action started the orer ner of greater blows to They anticipate that General Pershng Will follow without delay the clearing out of the S M1he salient with actions of scope probably M rected toward the capture of Metz such an advance it tween Verdun and Rheims go naturally and the grea utofa