The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-27

Gen. Pershing sent generous bull
letin tonight confirming the hest
earlier reports that had been received
here. His statement that the Ameri-
can advance had attained Il maxi
mum Of seven miles was received
with the widest enthusiasm. This Is
further than the usual first day adj
vance and shows, the military ex-
perts say. that the Americans must
have gone into the battle with un-
usual dash.
Captives Total 5000.
The fact that 5000 prisoners were
taken indicates that the American
effort was entirely eucCpssful and
that it was made in the face of stub
born resistance. If the enemy had
"eracuatel' their positions, rs they
have asserted they have, done in
previous defeats, they would not
have left that number of men behind
to he captured.
The attack was preceded by a ter
rife artillery bombardment which be-
gan before midnight. In the morning,
just before the French and Americans
were ready to go TO the attack, a fog
settled. This screened their move
ments and proved Of great aid to tho
allied fighters
The Americans in the carly stages
Of their ndyapra onn,praJ 49,, ,,un. -
GcrCourt, Cuisy, Montfaucon, Cheppy
and Nerennes. All of these towns are
northwest of Nerdun, the last named
on the edge OF Argonnc forest.
through the capture of the first
named place the Americans are in the
Mouse Valley. which leads northward
from Nerdun in the direction of Sedan.
Further west the boys from the States
penetrated into the Aisne Valley, which
leads nOrthwestward toward Nouziers.
imperfls Entire German Line.
This new thrust carries dire threat
to the Germans. II the French and
Americans are able to carry their ad-
vance forward appreciably It will mean
successful tianking movement against
the liindenburg zone on the allied
right, thus forcing the Germans back
without the necessity OF "A succession
OF frontal attacks. which necessarily
would be slow and costly, against the
famous German defence zone.
1t IL not believed in military circles
here that the Hindenburg zone is as
deep or as strongly fortified in the
Rheims-Nerdun region as it is further
west. and IN Marshal F'och's determi-
nation TO strike here is seen another
master stroke OF gcncralship. Once
more he has elected 10 fight on ground
of his own choosing rather than meet
the Germans in areas whore they un-
doubtedly would rather have him
strike.
Planned on Grand scale
The scene Of tho new allied attack i,
between the field of the brilliant Marne
offensive in July and.the recent 81. Mi
hiel drive by the Americans. II IS
known that railway lines of great i'm
portance TO the Germans run laterally
between Laon and the territory north
of Verdun. Vouziers, one OF the most
important Of the German railway juno
ton points in this region. on the line
from Laon to Metz. Is only twelve
miles from Servon. already in the
hands of the French
Both the military authorities and the
civil populations In the Entente capi-
tails are holding their breath tonight.
awaiting what they confidently expect
will be tremendously important news
from this. possibly the greatest battle
of the war. The attack. 1t is easily
seen, has been planned on a grand
scale, and a study Of the map shows