The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-08-17

| %'''S AAGss 80 S@H .
With the American Army in Frances
Aug. 17.-An American bombing
squadron commanded by Lieut.. Gun
delach, dropped twenty bombs on the
railway yards at Conflans yesterday.
Eighteen direct hits were observed in
the east portion Of the yard and two
on the roundhouse.
The squadron was pursued by
eleven enemy planes, six Of which
were speedily left behind. One OF the
remaining five was hit by the Amer
lean machine gun fire and forced to
descend near Joinville. Lieut.. Gunde-
ZACH was slightly wounded.
Demand Austrian Troops.
London Aug. 17.-According to a
dispatch to The Daily Mail from
The Hague, Germany has demanded
that Austria send 10 to rs divisions
to the western front. Austria as
sented to this, the dispsteEl says, on
condition that Germany would ac-
cept Anstria's solution OF the Polish
question, and make q strong peace
move, including the evacuation and
restoration of Belgium. Germany
promised to concede to Austria solu-
ton of the Polish question including
the naming of an Austrian archduke
as king. the dispatch asserts.
Hold Becomes Preearions.
With The French Army In France,
Aug. 17-AlIied forces occupied
VilIers-I Ies-Roye and st. Aurien and
reached their old line Of trenches
east Of Armancourt Thursday.
Further north they pressed forward
toward the Chaulnes-R line, TAX
ing Damery wood in the evening.
Sharp fighting continues east Of
Armancourt. Just west OF Lasstgny
there was a lively combat fer Chas-
seurs trench, in the middle of Pies
sier park. 'fhe lighting ended in q
victory for the French.
The capture Of EcouvilIon. which
facilitated the taking Of Ribecourts
has been followed by the occupation
Of the Monolithe farm, giving the
third army another grip on a vital
position near Thiescourt and threat
ening the German line OF retreat
along the road to Noyon.
There is evidence that the German
reserves are no longer sufficient 20
maintain the defense and that drafts
are being made on German troops
holding other important sectors. The
French division that took Ribecourt
met there enemy troops which haQ
been recently withdrawn from the
Verdun front. They were OLD
acuuaintances, the French division
having been cited for gallant work
in the defense of the fortress on the
Meuse against these same Germans.
The fall Of RIbecourt followed
close upon the capture OF the height
of Antoval.
The possession Of Monolithe farm
facilitates operations against the
I1oermont height, a mile and a quar-
ter to the northwest. This spur, in
turn, dominates Plemont which rs
the strongest enemy position in be
L.assigny Massif. 1t also oyeTlools
the valley leading northwest to Las-
sfgny. The hold Of the enemy upon
Lassigny is very. precarious. When
this flank breaks, the whole line
must crumbIe.
Americans Attacked.
With The American Army On The
VesIe Front, Friday, Aug. l6.-The
Germans launched a combined gas
artillery and air bombing attack up-
on the French and Americans along
the vesIe early Friday morning.
This was in retaliation for a bomb
ing raid by American airmen on
bridges over the Alsne tate InME8~
day.
The German artillery continued
sheIIing the crossroads south Of the
Vesle for hours, on the assumption
that the French and Americans were
bringing up troops, German ayia-
tors bombed the woods and villages
south Of the Vesle, apparently work
ing In relays.
A group OF IL American aviator5
participated in the raid on the Aiena
bridges. Early Friday other Amerl-
can flyers went up and took photo
graphs for the purpose OF ascertain
ing the effects OF the bombs drop
ped. Al great deal Of traffic has been
reported passing over the Aisn@
bridges, and the French and Amoria
cans increased the FIRE Of their heavy
guns In an attempt to destroy a@
many bridges as possible. As a res
suit OF the reports Of observers. the
French and Americans laid down 81
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