The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-09-03

Lens Is Taken.
In what appears like an effort to es.
cape in time, the scope of the Ger
man retirement, which had been pro-
ceeding somewhat leisurely but north
and south of the Somme, has been
markedly accentuated north of the
river. .
In this movement the important
French coal mining city Of Lens, at
the gates Of which the British pound
ed vainly virtually all last year has
been evacuated the British moving in.
To the north in Flanders, the re-
treat is continuing and the British
have further closed up the Lys salient
by taking possession of Wulverghem,
two miles south of KENNEL
South of Lens the Germans appar-
emily are acknowledging themselves
beaten on the Queant-Drocourt line
where Haig's break through was af-
fected and are retreating in his vital
ly important sector without attempt
ing a counter drive upon the victori
Gus British
Take Town After Town.
Still further south the retirement
has resulted in an evacuation Of areas
three to four miles deep on both sides
of the Bapaume-Cambrai road, the
British taking town after town in this
area in their steady advance.
This morning alone. on the 20-mile
front where the British are mainly en-
gagged they are reported to have ad-
vanced no less than a maximum of
four miles. This seems to emphasize
the clearness OF the break and, with
Nf NJ
to the decentralization of the German
forces in this area.
IL is too early to estimate with any
degree Of accuracy what effect the
present big drive of the allies may
ultimately produce.
Operations by the French and
Americans in the south may be count
ed on to work toward such a result.
There is a hint in today's dispatches
that some development OF importance
is impending.
Move Toward Cambra.
The determined German resistance
at the CROSSROADS north Of Villers-I.ez
Cagnicourt was overcome by the Brit
ish this morning and Haig's men are
now showing forward in the direction
,of Cambria
A strong British force is driving
forward on the northern reaches OF
the Hindenburg line. The British are
we'll inside the Drocourt-Queant line.
SO far as learned no organized coun-
ter attacks have been developed by
the Germans, but on the extreme
British left determined opposition is
developing. British troops today ad
vanced we'll to the east Of Peronne
aro l;ipp cteaiy
Penetrate Four Miles.
In their lass beyond the Drocourt-
Qleant line the British have ad-
vanced to a point just to the west Of
Buissy, two and one-half mild north
east of Queant and occupied Pronville,
and mile and half southeast of
Queant.
More than 10000 prisoners were TAX
en- by the British yesterday. Addit-
ional prisoners were taken this morn
ing.
The British also hold Doignies, Velu
and Bertincourt and Rocquigny, re-
presenting an advance TO a maxium
depth Of four miles on twenty mile
front effected this morning.
In Flanders the British forces have
captured the town Of Wulverghem, !
two miles northeast of KENNEL.
Germans Admit Retreat.
Contrary to expectations the enemy
has not reacted heavily with view
to the recapture of the Queant Dro- !
court line, but has left the British In
possession OF 1t.
South and east Of Arras the British
have succeeded with strong superior
forces In throwing back our infantry
lines on both sides of the Arras-Cam- !