The Topeka state journal., 1918-08-06
HEAVY ARTILLERY
POUNDS The HUNS
over The vESLE.
French Lay Down Heavy Fire
on Enemy Positions.
Airmen Blow Up POntoons
Across the Aisne River.
GERMAN ARTILLERY Is BUSY
But Main Defense Is With Ma
chine Guns.
French Bring Up More Guns
Before Attacking.
IMMENSE STORES ARE TAKEN
Large Quantities of Guns and
IMMENSE STORES ARE TAKEN
Large Quantities of Guns and
Ammunition to Allies.
SpOils of SOissOns-Rheims Re-
treat Are Enormous.

London, Aug. 6.-Since the
Germans began their retreat
from the Marine, the allies have
captured thousand guns, thou
sands of machine guns and mil
lions of rounds of artillery am
munition, agency dispatches re-
ceived here from the front re-
port.
Paris, Aug. "a p. 1.).-With the
Germans resisting fiercely along the
VesIe. French heavy artillery on the
south bank of the river this afternoon
laid down terrific fire on the table
and between the VesIe and the Aisne.
The crossings of the Aisne were also
heavily shelled.
simultaneously FrenceA m + an
aviators flew over the enemy forces
and dropped bombs on the pontoons
thrown across the AiSne by the GER
mans. Two of these were destroyed.
The enemy artillery fire is having
little effect, but French advanced
troops are encountering dense ma
chine gun barrages The French are
awaiting the bringing up of more ar
tiIlery before attempting further ad-
vances in force.
Counter Attacks Fail.
Paris, Aug. 6.-The determined at
tacks which the Germans have deliv-
cred against the allied advanced
guards north of the Vesle have failed
to disturb the temporary stahilizatlon
of the Vesle front The allied COM
mand is retaining the initiative IN
these operations.
Paris. Aug. 6.-North of the Vesle
the Germans have been repulsed IN
efforts to dislodge French and Ameri-
can units which crossed from the
south bank The official statement
from the war office today also re-
ports n French advance to the Avre
north of Montdidier-
Soissons-R Rheims Line Stationary
On the Rheims-Soissons front the
situation has been stabilized for the
moment while the opposing forces
Drepare for further movements. I'm
easiness along the northern front con
tinues and Crown Prince Rupprech'
of Bavaria has carried out another
withdrawal To the British ne ha'
now given up territory along the La
Bassee canal in the apex of me Lys
salient Meanwhile the French ant
British are organizing the territory
evacuated north and south of the
Somme in Picardy.
y
actions are in progress along th'
Vesle French and American troops
in small units have crossed to tbs
north of the river at various points
mostly on accommodating expeditions
The enemy has failed in attempts tt
prevent these incursions. Fismes. il
the center of the line and which il
held by the Americans apparently Il
the especial mark of the German
gunners and they are bombarding
Violently The Americans however
maintain their position and have ever
sent patrols across the river at thi
point
Grown Prince VIII Go to Aisne.
In allied capitals it is not believe'
the German crown prince will at
tempt to stand long on the northern
bank of the Vesle, but will soon re
tire to prepared positions north of tn
Aisne The Vesle line is capable o
being outflanked without much effort
and it would seem the part of wisdom
for the enemy to withdraw to behin
the Aisne.
General Foch has given no indica
ton of his plans. The activity alon
the Vesle lends color to the opinio,
that he is not vet thru with the crow
prince, and that tAe Germans betwee
Soiss, : and Rheims will have to Civ
more ground. Around the ends of thi
sector of the battle front there ha
been little activity. altho i, is from tn
regions of Rheims and Soissons tina
thanking movements will have to b
launched 1t is not improbable tn
allied leader is waiting until his troop
aud guns in strong force reach tn
southern hank of the Vesle before con
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