The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-14
ADVANCE z MILES
OVER FRONT OF II
TAKE PRISONERS
Blow Probably Aimed at the st.
Gobain Massif.
LaOn the Ultimate Objective of
the Advance.
1900 PRISONERS CAPTURED
Right Flank of Chemin Des
DANES Is Threatened.
Some American Troops May Be
in the Battle.
1900 PRISONERS CAPTURED
(By the Associated Press.)

Marshal Foch has launched an Of
fensiye movement which seems mainly
to be aimed at the st. Gobain massif
defending the German citadel of Laon.
The French this morning attacked on
both sides of the river Ailette and in
the region of the Aisne to the south
and southeast.
General Petain's troops started with
a great rush, which took them into
the German lines at points for a dis
tance of one to two miles. Prisoners
began coming back rapidly, 1900 hav-
ing been taken in one division of the
front alone al an early hour.
The French pressure seemed to be
particularly effective south of the
Ailette, where they captured the i'm
portant height, Mont des Singes, and
the towns of Allemont and Sancy.
Their advance here threatens to flank
the Chemin des Danes.
This movement also represents a
further closing in on the st. .Gobain
massif, which Is accentuated by prog
ress north of the Ailette, where the
French are working into the upper
forest of Coucy, beyond the former
German line.
British Front Active.
On the Aisne front the French prog
TeSS likewise was repOrLed as Sdt1S-
factory. On the British front, Field
Marshal Haig's forces appear to have
been mainly occupied last night in
beating off renewed German attacks
on the important ground recently won
from the enemy. All these attempts
which were particularly persistent al
Geuzeacourt and Havrincourt. were
unsuccessful. The British have made
progress, however, northwest of St
Quentin. where their lines now run
east of Jeancourt.
London, Sept. IA 1:30 p. m.)-
French tops eegan a new attack at
dam this morning on both sides OF
-Aiiette .-.-r and between the river
Acne and the Vesle river.
The attack of the French forces in
the direc- n of the Forest of Coucy
at the southe-. :. ID of the ST. Gobain
this morning. South of the Ailette
river the French captured Mont de
Singes and the villages of Allemont
and S, icy.
The French also ned the edge
of the town of Vailly on the Aisne
The French advanced for distance
of betw" one and two miles on al
eleven mile 'front.'.
The attack was launched by tht
French at o'clock this morning
One division at an early hour hat
taken 1000 prisoners, making a tota
VI LOW oClHidAS OiI lIld
front alone.
Counter Attack Weak.
The German counter attack agains
the Frenehmen advancing on the ALL
cite river front appeared to have beer
weak, altho the front line was strongly
held.
The German prisoners say they ha6
orders to hold at all costs.
Threatens st. Gobain Massif.
In their attack south of the rivei
Aisne the French also made satisfac
tory progress and captured prisoners
but details are lacking. The advance
of the French threatens to turn the
flank of the German defensive posi-
tions on the Chemin des Danes and i
also endangers Laon.
1t is pointed out that any advanc.
made by the French to the north O
the Ailette river will seriously affec
the St. Gobain massif.
This attack is in the direction o
Laon from the south and the west
American troops have been fighting
between the Aisne and the Vesle. Tn
French astride the Ailette are in
position to flank the Chemin des Dame
positions from the west.
This mornings French advanc
threatens to turn the flank of tn
Chemin des Danes and endanger
Laon.