Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-14
VICTORY OF US.
ARMY GROWING
American Triumph in Lor.
raine Proves of Great
Moment
MAY PRESS ON METZ
New Attack on Aisne Con-
tinues Foch's Big
Offensives
MAY PRESS ON METZ
By the Associated Press

The scope Of the victory won by the
American First Army In Lorraine in its
initial offensive effort continues to grow
The number of prisoners taken is now
said to number 10000. which is virtually
the equivalent of two enemy divisions.
(Of the 20. 900 prisoners, 5000 were cap
tured by the French)
General Pershing's forces In two days
drove in to a maximum Of thirteen
miles, which is approximately the dis
tance from the tip of the salient below
St Mihiel. to Hattonville. mile and
a half north of Figneulles. through
which the American line was last re-
ported as running.
The Germans are reported readjust-
ing their lines on the edges of the for
mer salient. the probabilities being, how
ever. that they are not being allowed to
do this in peace by the American forces
or the French on the flank.
Next Move Yelled
What further development the often
sive may have Is uncertain at present,
the official communications and even the
news dispatches today throwing little
light on the prospects.
Whatever the immediate future may
hold, however, the ultimate effect OF the
drive which completely wiped out the
st. Mhiel salient with a rapidity almost
unexampled for such a large operation
is bound to be important. If the offen-
sive was undertaken for the purpose OF
opening up the way for subsequent
drive against Metz and possibly the inn
portant Briey iron fields, now in German
hands, it has already achieved a large
purpose. The Americans held positions
favorable for an invasion of German
territory II General Foch so plans.
Meanwhile, as the intensity of the
fighting on this front seems to nave
lessened, Marshal Foch has Launched ar
offensive movement which seems mainly
to be aimed at the ST. Gobain Masslf
defending the German citadel of Laon
French Open Offensive
The French this morning attacked or
both sides of the River Ailette and in the
region of the Aisne, to the south ano
southeast.
General Petain's troops started witt
a great rush which took them into the
German lines at points for a distance
of one to two miles. Prisoners pegar
coming back rapidly, 1900 having beer
taken in one DIVISION OF tne lroIl aiohe
at an early hour.
The French pressure seemed TO be
particularly effective south OF the AL
! lette, where they captured the important
| height of Mont Des Singes and the
! towns of Allemont and Sancy. Their
| advance here threatens the right nanR
| of the Chemin- -des-Dames.
This movement also represents a fur'
! ther closing in on the St Gobain mas
sif, which is accentuated by progress
north of the Ailette, where the Frencf
.are working into the upper forest OF
| Coucy, beyond the former German line
Progress on Aisne
On the Aisne front the French prog
ress likewise was reported as salts.
| factory.
On the British front, Field Marsha
! Hag's forces appear to nave peer
! mainly occupied last night in beating on
renewed German attacks on the impor
tant ground recently won from the en-
emy All these attempts, which were
particularly persistent at Gouzeaucour
| and HaVrinCourt, were unsuccessful
The British have made progress. how
ever, northwest of st. Quentin, where
| their lines now, run east Of Jeancourt.
In Flanders British forces have occu
pied the town of Auchy-les-La Bassee
only a little more than a mile from LII
! BaSSee.