The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-23
ALLIES STARTING
ANOTHER STROKE
AGAINST GERMAN
British Attack the Lines West
of Maubeuge.
Advance Progresses Satisfac-
tOriIy, Says Haig.
GAIN A MILE OF GROUND
Artillery Is Active on the Disc
Front.
Valenciennes Entered by the
British Today.
(By the Associated Press.)

fBy the Associated Press.)
British troops again are storming the
German defenses west of Maubeuge.
The new attack, launched early today
between Solesmes and LIE Cateau, is
reported to be making good progress.
Field Marshal Haig is driving forward
on the seven mile front north of LIE
Cateau, also is increasing the menace
to Valenciennes, thru the western
suburbs of which the British are
fighting. North of Valenciennes the
city has been outflanked by the cap
ture of Bruay. 1t is not probable the
Germans will be able to hold out In
NaIenciennes much longer and once
the Scheldt is crossed here the Brit
ish will be in position to threaten seri-
ously both Mons and Maubeuee.
Between LIE Cateau and Solesmes
the British are on the high ground
east of the Selle river and it is from
this favorable position today's attack
was begun. The German resistance
here has been bitter as the line is
vital to the security of the German de-
fenses over a wide front to the south
and southeast
Close in on Journal.
In southwestern Belgium the Brit
ish continue to close in on Tourna1,
north of the town they have forced
a crossing of the Scheldt. while on the
south they have reached the western
bank of the river on a four mile front
from Bruyelles to Blehairies.
South of lie Cateau the enemy is re-
sisting stubbornly French attempts to
cross the Serre river and take IN the
rear the German positions east OF tne
Disc South of the railroad junction
of Montecornet, the French have
made progress between Nizy-Le-
Coulte and lie ThOur.
In Center of VaIenciennes.
With the Allied Armies in France
and Belgium, Oct. 2S.-Brlt1sh troops
were fighting their way into the CEN
ter of Nalenciennes early today. They
were facing a strong enemy machlne
gun fire from the east bank of the
Scheldt canal which flows through the
city.
North of Valenciennes the British
have forced their way almost thru the
Raisenes forest. Along the entire
front between Valenciennes and Tour
mai recent rains have made the ground
difficult and progress has been slowed
up. The Germans on this front in the
last few days have been following the
tactics of retreating during the night
The British have not been able to
establish contact with the enemy rear
guards until noon of the next day. The
rear guards endeavor to hold the Brit
ish in check until nightfall, when they
again retreat. IneT0 appear u DC
good indications that the line on which
the Germans now are resting tempo
rarily in this region will not be de-
Tended for any great length of time.
Country Is Barren.
The entire country between Valen-
ciennes and Journal is as barren as
a desert as far as the personal prop
erty of the French inhabitants is
concerned. Liberated civilians say
the retreating Germans carry so
much loot that they stagger under
the loads. Apparently the alleged in
structions given the German troops
TO take the most strict care as re-
CARDS the property of civilians are
not being observed at the front.
Reach the Serre.
London, Oct. 23.-Northeast OF
Laon. French troops have reached the
line Of the Serre river, having made
an advance of two to three miles on
eight mile fronts
French Progress.
Paris. Oct. 23.-On the Serre from,
Tuesday night the Germans met
with heavy machine gun fire. the ef-
forts of the French to cross the
Souche and Serre rivers, the war of
flee announces. Further east the
French made progress between Nizy-
prisoners.
The statement follows:
"On the Disc front heavy artillery
continued during the night. The booty
taken by the troops of the first army
in the fighting of October II and IS
includes 81 cannon, about 100 trench
mortars, more than 700 machine gun.
and munitions depots and war mater
iaIs of all kinds. On the Serre from
he enemy continued to show his vigi
lance and to oppose by his machin,
gun fire our efforts to cross the Serrt
and the Souche. Further east W,
made progress between Mizy-Le
Comte and LIE Tour, taking prisoners
Press the Austrians.
Rome, Oct. 23.-Austrian rea
guards in Albania, hard pressed b,
Italian cavalry and Albanian detach
ments, have retired to the north o
Malta river. thirty miles north of Ell
basau, according to an official state
ment from the Italian war office today
London, Oct. 23.-The British begal
a attack today the front be
tween LIE Cateau and Solesmes. soutl
announced.
The British have captured BruaS
2Ia miles north of Valenciennes an
have reached the west bank of tn
Scheldt.
(By the Associated PressD
Defensive warfare will be carried O
by the German nation if the presen
government fails to secure a "peac
with justice" said Prince Maximiliar
the German Imperial chancellor
speaking before the reichstag Tues
day. The address lends new light o
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