The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-10-04
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUMMARY OF THE WAR
tBy Associated Press.)
tBy Associated Press.)

American, British and italian war
ships have destroyed the Austrian
naval base at Durazzo, Albania. This
sensational exploit, which was
carried out on Wednesday, seems TO
have reduced the Austrians to one
large naval center in the AdFiatic,
that Of PoIa, although the port of
Fiume may be used for this purpose.
The attack, coming at time when
the Austrians in Southern Albania
are in dire straits after losing their
support lines eastward through
Macedonia, appears to be significant.
Italian troops launched an offensive
there on Tuesday. IL suggests that
perhaps military operations may he
begun along the northern Albanian
coast i'm the rear of the retreating
Austrians and the situation holds
large possibilities. Durazzo is
within one hundred miles Of srin-
disi, the italian rival base and is
within easy striking distance of
Corfu, from which are directed the
operations of the allied feet In the
Mediterranean.
LILLE Is UNCOVERED.
German armies which have been
holding the front along the sector
from Lens TO Armentieres arc in re-
treat and with the British in close
pursuit, are hurriedIy abandoning the
| region south of the Lys river whore
they were in danger of development.
This retreat seems to have uncover
ed the important city of Lille and
will probably make imperative a
Withdrawal all the way down the
| line in front Of Arras.
North of the wedge driven into the
1 4 HzAa
drive there are no indications of a
retirement as yet, although military
critics believe that the Germans
hold on ostend will be short lived
now that RouIers is virtually in the
hands of the allies.
Smashing against the German line
east of st. Quentin, Field Marshal
Haig's army plunged through tho
last line of the formidable Hinden-
burg system yesterday. This as
sault seems to have been a blow
struck at a vital spot in the enemy'S
defense and it's success is attssted by
the progress made during the day.
Terrific efforts made by the Germans
TO halt the progress Of the British
were fruitIess and IL is reported that
British cavalry and tanks have
reached the open country back OF the
enemy's front.
MAY SHAKE WHOLE LINE.
Further successes at this point
would seem to shake the"whois Ger
man line from Douai TO Rheims. The
enemy, so far as known, has no other
positions in that region as foFmid-
able as those captured during the
past week by the allies. Directly
behind this front arc railroads which
are vital 20 the enemy forces fighting
further south.
Near Rheims General BertheIoten's
army has made new progress and the
time seems not far distant when the
cathedral city will be freed from
| German artillery fire for the first
time aimee 1914. This advance by
the French has q close relation 90
that of the British around ST. Quen-
tin as well az on operations further
east In Champasus. There are some
military experts who believe that
this drive 10 Of greater stratsgicai
value than any other now going on
in France.
General Gouraud'a army In Cham.
pagne has at last cleared the west
ern gate of Grandprs Gap which
runs north of the Araonne forest.
ChaIlerangs has been taken and the
Germans west Of that village have
been forced to give more ground.
East of the Arsonne forest the
American forces facing the krien1.
hid Steslung line appear TO be held
up by the desperate defense of The
enemy. This may be only tempor-
ary, however, az the nature Of the
country has made IL difficult TO move
up heavy artillery for the resunp-
ton of the drive against the enemy.