The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-10-08

ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUMMARY OF The WAR
CBy Associated Presa,1

Crossing the Aisne at 5erry.Au-
sae, the French have brought new
peril to the whole German line in the
Laonnais and Champagne sectors in
France.
This advance by General Berthe.
lot's men seems to be a stroke which
may be considered in future as the
first step in the final operation de-
signed TO hurl the Germans out Of
the positions they have held for so
long from the AiIette river to the
Msuse.
If the French are able TO debouehe
from 5erry-Au-5ae and obtain a
bridsehead on the north side of the
Aisne, the German forces still
eiinsins to the chemin des DANES
along the ridge north of the Aisne
further west, will be compelled to fall
back rapidly. At the same time the
Germans retreatina before General
Gouraud'S army further to the east,
will find that the Aisne, their ap-
parent objective in the present re-
tlren1ent, is not a refuge. II may on
the other hand be but trap for the
shattered forces now streaming back
from the Ply, Arnes and upper Aisne
rivers.
General 5ertheIot's wedne has PEN
etrated faster than was expected BY
the lay world. II wrested the hills
northwest Of Rheims from the en-
en1y, swiftly swept him back to the
SuiPpe, river and then, seemingly at
a single bound, reached the Aisne
and crossed II at . vital point. Ii
seems 70 be the most successful blow
struck during the last week of fight
ing.
IN THE CHAMPAGNE.
In the Champagne sector General
Gouraud's French and American
troops are closely following UP the
enemy who is retreatina in the diFec-
tion of the Retourne river. The sue
cess Of the French further west will
probably hasten this retroarade
movement by the Germans who ap-
pear 60 be in a serious condition.
From the Araonne forest TO the
Meuse the American army has again
struck at the German positions be-
fore Kreihild line and great battle
seems to be impending there. This
sector is most important TO the Ger
mans as defeat there would send
them back in the direction of Sedan,
through which runs the great trunk
railway line which connects the Ger
mans as far west as Laon with Ger
many. The Americans have brought
up their heavy artillery and there 10
every evidences that a terrific strua-
gle 10 20 be expected on this front.
On the, western side Of this battle
line the Americans moved ahead
yesterday and captured ChatsI Che
rery as we'll as important ground
just 20 the east of the village.
British forces have attacked the
German lines to the northwest of
that city which is reported TO be in
flames. This sector is just north of
Queant TO Droueourt was broken
three weekR ago.
Around O.. Quentin there has been
savage fighting, the French being
called upon TO rspeI repeated enemy
counter attacks. All of these with
the exception of those near TiiIoy
farm, have been repuIsed. In local
operations in this sector the French
have improved their positions.
Vigorous fighting has occurred in
The mountain sector Of the Italian
front but nothing approaching q gen.
eral engagement has been reported.
In Albania the Italians are advancing
rapidly after the Austrians who ap-
pear to be in full flight before them.
French naval units have entered
the harbor of Beirut, Syria, a port
through which supplies may bo
easily transported TO the allied
armies which are operating in the
vicinity Of Damascus.