The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-28

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The American operations north of
Verdun are the most menacing in their
threat against the German armies that
Won Hindenburg has had to face since
he became the kaiser's commander-in-
chief.
The American advance is in the rear
of the German troops in western
France and against the great German
system of communication passing thru
the Metz area. and Luxembourg. The
only other main German cornmunica-
| ton line runs to western France thru
| Belgium. If the Americans succeed in
| cutting off the Luxembourg exit, Won
Hindenburg cannot conduct at any
time thereafter an orderly evacuation
of France and Belgium. His only re-
naming direction of retirement will
be via Liege. where the widtl- of the
doorway into Germany between the
Dutch border and Luxembourg is only
forty miles.
Won Hindenburg. therefore, is now
facing the most perilous situation that
has yet begun to develop along the
west front. Above all else, vast mod
ern armies must have freedom of
movement, or their very size becomes
their ruin. Won Hindenburg is COM
PEELED by this law to pour troops
der American attack
AS the allies continue to progress.
more of the kaiser's reserves intended
for the eventual protection Of the
Rhine must be used up before their
time. With this CHASTITY predicament
developing at Germany's own boun-
dairy. it is not surprising that Bulgaria
should try to desert the ship.
Take 10000 Prisoners.
The Americans, resuming their
drive in the Argonne, have driven en-
tirely thru the Hindenburg defenses
on a ten mile front between Danneu-
VouX and Eclisfontaine and are within
mile of the main German rail heads
in this sector.
l. The French, attacking on the Amer
ican left have made rapid progress
and are within five miles of the i'm
portant railway junction of Challer-
ange. More than 10000 prisoners
have been taken so far.
Resume Attack Today.
Paris. Sept. 28.-The attack in the
Champagne was resumed at $3.50 this
morning, it was announced today by
the French war office.
Break Thru Lines.
London, Sept. 2S.-The Americans
have broken thru the subsidiary de-
lenses behind the Hindenburg line on
the ten-mile front between Dame
voux and Eclis Fontaine. northwest of
Verdun, according to battle front dis
patches received here today.
Between Nantillois and Montblain-
Vile Ga front of about ten miles) the
Americans are within mile of the
heads of the enemy's three standard
guage railways. They have captured
scores of miles of light railways.
(Dannevoux is near the west bank of the
Meuse, fifteen miles north and west of
Ferdun. Eclis Fontaine is three miles and
half north of Varnnes and an equal dis
tance west of Montfauson. Nantillois is
mile and half north of Montfaucon. Mont
biainville is a mile and half northwest
of VarnnesD
Huns Fight Desperately.
(By the Associated Press.D
With the American army northwest
or Verdun, Sept. 2S.-With their backs
to the outer edge of the Brunhilde line
the Germans today were fighting des-
perately in an endea-c to bring the
american advance to definite halt.
The Germans were increasing the vol
ume of their fire and indicating anew
ter determination to resist the ut
most
Continued on Page Two.)