Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-30

ENEMY ABANDONS
MALMAISON LINE
Won Karlowitz Suddenly
Retreats Behind the
Ailette
N DRIVES ONWARD
Steady Pursuit by French
Compels Germans to Relin-
quish Strongest Positions
DRIVES ONWARD
BY C. II. PERKS
Special Gable 10 Erening Public Ledger

Special Cable 10 Erening Public Ledger
Copyright, 1918. bv Nc,c York Times Go.
with the French Armies. Sept. 80
General Won Kariowitz has suddenly
abandoned the Malmaison front tine
western end of the Chemin-des-Dames)'
and has retrea.ed behind the Ailette as
far east as the Oise-Aisne canal reser-
voir. This retreat from one or the
strongest German positions In the west
began Friday night.
General Mangin's army had been
steadily pursuing it's patient investment
sof the Malmaison plateau, by a concen-
trio movement from the northwest. west
and south. and fought m Friday a fierce
engagement at Colombo farm. where IL
took 200 prisoners, and north of Ale
mant, where II repulsed a counter-at-
tack.
The whole region was bombarded dur
ing the night and when. at 6 o'clock
Saturday morning. patrols were sent out
they encountered resistance around the
villages of Ply and Aisy. The way
seemed cleared on the spurs down TO
the Aisne. At Vailly exploding bombs
and burning stores made 1t clear what
was afoot and at . a. IN. a general ad-
vance began between Nauxillon and
Ndlllg lONdTo III io thNoSe
The famous old landmarks of the west
end of the observation-disclosures were
quickly reached and passed. In the
moat Of Fort Mallnaison violent explo-
sions took place. but precautions had
been taken and no one was hurt.
BY evening the French were in Pinon
and Nauresson. where the front ran
across the Malmaison plateau TO a point
east OF Vailly.
During the night and Sunday morning
the pursuit continued. and they are now
on the old front on the Ailette from
P'non wood through Chavignon to the
canal reservoir near Pargny Filain.
whence the front runs south by Ostel
10 the Aisne at Chavonne.
on his left Mangin has a more ad
Vanced front than the old one. for the
line north of the .Ailette has been brought
mp to GRANDEUR village, so that Anizy.
Le-Chateau and the valley up to Laor
are threatened from the west as well as
the south. Here strong resistance is &c
be expected.
SO far there IL no news of a retire
ment from the Nesle.
Needless to say. this radical change
in fhe situation has had a most invig.
Grating effect on the troops who have
been supporting their heavy task for q
month past.
Heavy German counter-attacks were
delivered over most of the Champagne
front Saturday afternoon. At least ter
new battalions. including one of thu
guards. ave now been brought into tn,
conflict. AS a rule. they fought wei
and many of the prisoners were sturdy
fellows. ON the other hand. the hast
of the enemy's retreat and re-enforce
ment has produced a certain dislocation
For instance. men belonging to four diff
ferent regiments were found in a single
trench.
notwithstanding n night of fine rail-
which covered the battlefield with whit,
slime. the French progress was resume,
at 3 o'clock yesterday morning. on tn,
loft Aubervie has been passed. The ridg,
OF Notre Dame des Champes. north o
Stemarie Ply, is stubbornly defended.
The centers of the villages of Marn,
and Auer. the latter being six mile" from
the original line. were carried. Auer Il
the most %northerly point reached. Fou
strongholds east OF this have been cap
tured. namely, Hin 1877, beyond Ora
treull-le-Belliveau Hill; Buzy firm an,
Mont Cuvelct. West of B%uconrille tn
enemy artillery has been very much il
evidence, but there is "A general slack
, ening of resistance.
AS | write, news comes in of the can
ture Of Buconviile. which is within fou
miles Of Challerange junction and Grand
pre-. These important centers of Ger
man communications are therefore no,
under French fire.