The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-08
Intention of Enemy to
Abandon LaOn Shown
by Fires in City.
GROWN PRINCE IN PERIL
Chemin des Danes Stronghold
Flanked by GOuraud With
Aid of Americans.


his Generals evidently regard the Ger
man and Austrian peace proposals as
being absolute zero in interest judg-
ing from the vigor with which they
are proceeding in the task of freeing
France and Belgium from the invader
and from the success attending their
tntest efforts.
To-day's military activity centred
chiefly with the French, who are push
Ing northward rapidly from Rheims
To-night's War ONCE report from
Paris announces that Gen. Mansin's
men are now at Berry y-au-Bac, four
teen miles northwest Of Rheims on the
Aisne. This represents an advance OF
ten miles in the last twenty-four hours
on the broken German front.
So menac!ng has the French ad-
vance become that the Germans are
reported to have set fire to Laon.
which has long been the key position
for all the German operations, defen-
sive and offensive, within a radius of
many miles Of that city. Tho fact
that the city Is burning Indicates an
intention Of the Germans to withdraw
northward. Berry-au-Bac is approx
irtateIy seventeen miles southsast Of
Laon.
Chemin aes Danes FIan
The Che.nih des Danes defences, TO
which the Crown Princes armies re-
treated after their defeat in the srarne
salient, is now hAnked at both ends by
the French. 1t has been slow and pain
ful work TO get a footing in this stretch
of high ground. but their efforts have
succeeded at last. Gen. Mangin has
been hammering At the western end OF
this great natural defensive position
practically from the titr1e the Germans
established themselves there after their
retreat from the MArne.
Lately Gen. Gouraud, assisted by the
American First Army, began a great
converging movement on the east, and
this apparently is about TO be crowned
with success. The French and their
American allies have pushed forward
slowly but surely through ground that
was we'll suited for defence and par
ticularly difficult for the attackers, until
at last they forced the Germans 30 far
back that the cathedral city OF Rheim,
was freed from the menace of German
artillery.
British Nearer Lille.
While the French and Americans hav,
been fighting with unusual intens!t.
around Rheims. the British, at the north
end OF the battle line. are pushing closer
toward Lille and Doual, In addition tc
increasing the depth OF their penetration
OF the 'Hindenburg positions between
Cambria and st. Quentin.
Further reports Indicate that German
plans for the abandonment OF the terri
tory around Lille and in western Bel
gtum continue uninterrupted. Fire
have been observed In numerous Villages
and allied fiiers report long transpor
columns moving northward and east
ward from all that territory still held b,
the Germans in invaded France and Bel
gium.
North Of the Scarpe the British hav,
advanced their line four miles, capturing
the villages OF Biache, st. Vast anC
! oppy. North OF st. Quentin heav.
fighting continued all day and resulted
| In the capture OF Remaucourt, TIlloy
Farm and many fortified woods by tn,
Allies. Stout resistance was encouh
tered at all these places, many OF tn,
German defenders preferring to stans
! and die rather than disobey explicit
OF isrs TO hold the ground at all costs
Several hundred prisoners were captured
British and French aviators are pilini
every possible obstacle In tho way OF tn,
| Germans who are trying TO retreat from
northern France. Last night more thai
thirty tons OF explosives were droppe'
on retreating transport columns, on NOV
ing troops and on gun batteries. Durinl
| the day eighty-one enemy airplanes wer
shot down by the French alone.
Reports from all the allied war Of
fices snow that the offensive is bein,
kept up at all points In the long lin
| from the sea to Verdun. and that tn
Germans are not being allowed an In
stants breathing spell. Marshal Fool
Is determined. apparently. that the har
| assed enemy shall not have an oppor
/ tunity to transfer reserves--lf any b
| lef.-as "a means of starting 4 counte
! offensive.
! The French leader realizes that
! counter blow at this time. while II woulC
lack military Importance. might hav
big political significance, inasmuch a
the German rulers could point TO 1t al
proof that tho allied thrust had ende,
and that soon Germanys military lead
ers would be on their feet again.
ReaiiEing this. the French chieftain &