Omaha daily bee., 1918-11-08
GET
Hold ON SEDAN
Continued from Page One.)


Sedan that lies on the west bank of
the Meuse.
The bridge over the Meuse at
Sedan, over which the retreating
enemy fled. has been destroyed and
the river valley flooded.
The pricipal German lateral lines
of communication between the fort
ress of Metz and northern France
and Belgium now are either out or
unavailable for the enemy's use.
Since November / the Americans
have taken 5000 prisoners. They
have freed all French territory with
in the zone of the army's action west
of the Meuse to total of 700 square
kilometers, and have liberated 1000
civilians.
The matter of peace negotiations
failed to slow down in the slightest
degree the operations along the
front today. The news that Ger
many has taken definite steps to Sc
cure an armistice reached advanced
quarters, but was not accompanied
by any orders affecting the big drive
now in progress and it is expected
that the American line will be car
ried forward without pause.
Prepare To Drive On.
With that part of Sedan resting
on the western bank of the river oc-
cupied, the American army is con-
solidating its positions and prepar-
ing for a further advance.
Vilosnes, Sivry and Heraumont,
to the south and east of Dun-Sur-
Mouse, were among the places taken
this morning. The American
troops are in close touch with the
line between Inor and Martincourt,
where the road bed has been de-
stroyed, the material having been
carried away to strengthen the Ger
man positions on the heights be-
yond. To the south of this Remilly
was captured.
1t is evident that the Germans are
determined not to yield Sedan un-
less absolutely forced to do so. They
have made big concentrations on the
heights back of the city and in such
places as can be defended both
above and below on the river. Con-
crete entertainments near the city
are strongly held, while all the
woods and bridges in the neighbor-
hood have either been destroyed or
mined.
After an all-day struggle lin the
dense woods and hills the Americans
late today reached the most east
erly heights of the Meuse, dominat-
ing miles of open country north of
Domvillers, the Germans literally
having been pushed out of every
foot of ground.
French Speed Up Advance.
Paris, Nov. 7.-QO:20 p. ny
With ever-increasing speed the
French troops are forcing the Ger
mans back north of the Aisne and
on all the rest of the front which
the French are fighting over, &C
cording to the War office announc-
ment tonight. An advance of 10
miles has been made at certain
points since yesterday.
With the French Army in France,
Nov. 7.-Persistent rain and deep
ening mud, although making COM
munications more. difficult. do not
appear to have checked pursuit Of
the Germans retreating toward the
Belgian frontier. The advance con-
tinued this morning over the greater
part of the French front with such
rapidity it was impossible to follow
it. Last reports are the French cav
| airy is moving toward the Meuse,
and the infantry toward Mezieres:
General Debeny's force was at the
German rear guards, occupying
numerous villages and carrying
their advance toward Hirson. Cap
| ture of this important railway CEN
| ter will bring about the final crum-
bling of the transportation organiza-
ton of the German armies in
France.
Subsequent operations may be-
| come a race between the armies in
retreat and those in pursuit to AK
La Chapelle, as the American sue
cesses have made the line OF the