The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-10-17

The Germans on leaving Lille,
which was captured today by British
forces, did not set fire to the build
ings in the city, or cause any ex-
plosions.
Success in Flanders.
In Flanders the allies have gained
important new successes. while from
the Oise to the Meuse the allied pres
sure is maintained strongly. In the
angle north OF Laon the Germans ap-
parently are retiring from between the
Disc and Serre rivers.
Since the beginning Of the week
there has been little heavy fighting in
the area southeast of Cambria where
the British and Americans made such
rapid strides last week after the cap
ture Of Cambria. The Germans re-
sisted strongly on the line Of the
Selle and 1t is these defenses that the
British and probably Americans un-
der the same command are assaultjng
South of Bohain the southern end
OF the attacking front, the French
troops are reported in contact with
the Germans along the whole Oise-
Serre front This undoubtedly means
the Germans are retiring from the
awkward angle between the TWO
rivers in a continuation of the with
drawal movement from the Laon
massif.
Belgian Cities Vacated.
On a front Of more than 80 miles
in Flanders the Belgians, French and
British continue to push forward Wig
orously. Courtrai and Thourout, I'M
portant railway functions on the flank
Of the attacking front, have fallen to
the Belgians and British. while in the
center the French have taken LIGHTER
velde and Ardoyle. Courtrai probably
Is the most important Of the rail CEN
ters feeding the Lille area. Thourout
Is 12 miles southwest of Bruges, which
is less than 10 miles from the Dutch
frontier.
On both sides of the Meuse the
Americans maintain their pressure
which resulted Wednesday in the cap.
ture Of important ground north and
northeast Of the Argonne forest. East
Of the river the Americans have gain
ed important high ground
In Belgium Bruges, Turcoing and
Rouhaix have been emptied of all the
civilians and the Germans have re-
moved their military establishments
from those cities.
All submarines have been hastily
removed from the U-boat base at Os-
tend and it would appear, from in
formation that German naval bases all
along the Belgian coast are either be-
ing moved or are being made ready
for instant removal, probably In the
the rear of the German mine fields In
the North sea.
Four new but tired German divi-
sions have appeared in the Flanders.
All the prisoners captured complain
bitterly that they are being compelled
TO continue fighting steadily without
rest Many of them have been con-
tinuously retreating or fighting since
August 8.
large number recently captured
admitted that they had packed their
kits ready to surrender when they be-
lieved they were to be attacked.
Americans Surge Ahead.
After having captured Grand Pre-, |!
the Americans today advanced their !
lines to the eastward and occupied |
Moulin-les-Pas. They surged forward |
wood, one and half miles north of
Chevieres.
The American advance was every
where desperately contested, especial
ly during the crossing Of the Aire
river, but the Americans pressed on.
A part Of todays worK consisted in
the consolidation of position in Hill
1872, Just north of ST. Juvin. The
American artillery was active all day
and the German guns responded free
ly. Infantry fighting. however. was
limited to the left flank Of this sector.
Additional evidence has been re-