The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-10-26
FRENCH FORCE
Dents ENEMY
DEFENSES AT
SOUTH POINT
Operations in Belgium Con-
tinue to Develop Favorably
Gains on Serre Made by
Petain's Troops.
BRITISH DRIVE AHEAD
(By Associated Press)

French troops facing the
southern bulwark of the Ger
man defenses in France con-
tinued to make important dents
in the enemy positions along the
Serre and eastward, while the
British hammer at the pivotal
point around Valenciennes.
Southwest of Marie the French
have captured Mortiers on the Serre
while further east in the region south
east Of Montcornet, General Petain's
men have sma shed through the Ger
man line on front OF 4 IL miles to
depth of two miles at certain points.
The German defenses here were for
midable. having been prepared in
1917, and continuously reinforced.
$1,000 Taken In Four Days.
In the last four days the Germans
have lost nearly $4,000 prisoners and
200 guns. according to unofficial es-
Inmates in Paris. The enemy losses
in effectives are declared to have
been not less than $4,000.
Opera tions in Belgium continue to
develop favorably, according to an Of
fetal statement issued at the London
war office last night, which says the
French have carried Zulte. in spite of
desperate resistance, while the Brit
ish have occupied the villages of In
goyheim and Ooteghem.~ and are ad-
vancing toward the Scheldt river.
In the encircling of Valenciennes
the British have gained new success
ses north and south Of the town. On
the edge of the Normal forest on the
south, Field Marshal Haig's men have
taken Englefontaine and Mont Car
mel hill. In the bend Of the Scheldt
river northwest of Valenciennes the
British have moved eastward and cap
tured the villages of Odomez and
Maulde.
The American troops on the Sec
tors east and west of the Meuse are
being subjected to strong German re-
actions. especially with artillery but
maintain their hold on the new ground
won Friday. North of Grandpre the
Americans have strengthened their
positions in the southern part Of the
Bourgogne wood.
Major Operation in Italy.
While the British. French and Amer
leans are slowly breaking their way
through the stubborn German defense
along the line south of Valenciennes.
the attention of the allied world Is d.
rected, for the moment at least, to
the Italian front, where General Diaz
seems to have started major Opera
ton.
Fighting on a large scale appears
to have began on Thursday, when the
Austrian official statement reported
heavy artillery fire from the Brente
river to the Montello plateau. 1t was
reported yesterday that Italian, Brit
ish and French forces attacked be-
tween the Brente and Piave rivers
and advanced over rough country for
considerable distance. At the same
time allies moved ahead and cap
tured islands in the Piave above the
Montello plateau.
This stroke was aimed at the angle
in the Austrian line which runs from
the Adriatic along the Piave until 1t
reaches the mountains and then turns
to the west. II the allied attack
makes material progress, the Aus
trian armies on the low'ands near the
sea near the front in the mountainous
sector may be divided. The number
OF prisoners taken, 5000. would seem
to indicate fighting of serious ma
ture. 1t is too early to determine
whether General Diaz has really be-
gun an offensive or Is merely direct
ing an operation which is in the ma
tnre Of a diversion. 1t may be that
the morale of the Austrian army.
which has repeatedly been said to be
very low. will be determined by the
fighting during the next few days.
British Hit South Of ScheIdt.
British troops are continuing their
blow at the German line south OF the
bend of the Scheldt above Valen-
ciennes. Progress there has been
comparatively slow, but it would ap-
pear that the railroad between Ques-
nov and Valenciennes has been
crossed and that the British are in the
outskirts Of Quesnoy. There is an
apparent effort on the part of Field
Marshal Haig to avoid a direct assault
against the Normal forest just to the
south. where the Germans are soldly
intrenched and have countless ma
chine guns and light guns in position.
Northeast of Valenciennes, the Brit
ish and French are advancing toward
the Scheldt
! The French, on the Serre-Oise front
have continued their attack on the
northern side of the Angle line. They
have gained at important points. but
the Germans are holding their front
very strongly