The sun., 1918-10-14
ENEMY FLEES
NORTHWARDTO TO
AVOID POCKET
Great Force Concentrated
on st. GObain Massif Must
Cross So Mile Gap.
GOURAUD AT THE AISNE
British in Edge of Douai and
But Seven Miles From
Valenciennes.
GOURAUD AT THE AISNE
Special Cable Dcspdteh to The suS
Copyright, 1915: all rights reserved.

LONDON. Oct. 13.--Breaking down un-
der the tremendous pressure to which
they are being subjected by the
French and British. the Germans were
to-day compelled to give up Laon and
La Fere, tho pillars OF the southern
end OF their defence system in north
ern France, and are tonight in full re-
treat from the Laon salient, with the
French driving In on both shoulders
in an effort to cut off as many OF the
German troops as possible.
As the mouth of this pocket Is only
f1fty-five miles across 1t is probable
that the French will succeed in part Of
this endeavor. An enormous German
force was kept in this region. as 1t is
the vital section OF the western front
and vast stores OF ammunition and
other war material have been retained
there. Much OF this must inevitably
be lost, but doubtless stiff rear guard
actions on the two tanks will enable
the men to pass out and prevent what
might have been developed into a great
military disaster.
Fastening to New Line.
The Germans now are retreatins along
the entire battle front. as their Belgian
and Lorraine communications are being
simultaneously threatened by the Allies.
Apparently they are trying TO reach
their last great defensive position In
front of the French frontier. the line of
which runs through Lille, Journal.
Valenciennes. Avesnes. Hirson and
Mezieres.
At their end OF the line in the north
the British are Fastening the movement
of the Germans by increased pressure
in the Douai region. They have entered
the city Of Dousi. capturing the Douai
prison and most OF F1ers, a northern
suburb. They have pushed up the
Scheldt Canal. to the southeast, taking
the village OF Montrecourt. which is
seven miles from Valenciennes. North
west Of Douai they have advanced along
! the Selle TO the vicinity of Solesmes
! and are approaching the line OF the
Haute Deule Canal.
( Gournud Reaches Aisnc.
| In addition to the capture of Laor
! and La Fere the French in that region
have taken a considerable part OF St
| Goba!n massif, penetrating as far as
St Nicholas and the Suzy Wood. The
La Fere-Laon railroad was crossed or
| the high ground between Anizy and Yer
| slgny. To the east the French and Ital-
ans have reached Amifontaine. some
fourteen miles north OF Rheims. The
French have crossed the Aisne in strong
force at Guisnlcourt and Neufchatel and
are advancing toward Prouvais.
| Gen. Gouraud's army. driving forward
with redoubled energy. has reached the
! Alsne at the bend between Chateau
Porcien and Rethel, which is a vital rail
road junction for the Germans. al
through it runs one of their principa
| lines OF communication with Metz and
Lorraine. The Germans here are max.
ing desperate efforts to get behind the
| Aisne.
Gen. Gouraud's advance intenslfes the
danger to the retreating Crown Princes
| army in the Laon-St Gobain region
while the other point of the pincers
which Is threatening to envelop the Ger
man centre is extending eastward In
| the bend OF the Disc south OF Guise
where Gen. Debeneys army is fighting
Its way across country which is favor
able to open warfare.
| When II is considered that between
! Continued on Third Page.