The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-09-14
Developments Awaited.

Developments Awaited.
What further developments, the Of
fensive may have is uncertain at pres
ent, the official communication and
even the news dispatches today throw
ing little light on the prospect. What
ever the immediate future may hold
the ultimate effect of the drive which
completely wiped out the st. Mihiel
salient, with rapidity almost unex
ampled for such large operation, is
bound to be important. If the Of
fensive were undertaken for the pur,
pose Of opening up the way for sub
seQuent drive against Metz and pos
sibly the important Briev iron fields,
now in German hands, 1T has already
achieved large purpose.
Meanwhile, as the intensity Of the
fighting on this front seems to have
llessened. Marshall Foch has launched
an offensive movement which seems
mainly to be aimed at the ST. Gobain
ma ssis defending the Germans citadel
Of Laon.
The French this morning attacked
on both sides of the river Aillette and
in the region of the Aisne to the
south and southwest.
Take 1900 Germans.
General Petain's troops started with
a great rush which took them into the
German lines at points for distance
of one to two miles. Prisoners be-
gan coming back rapidly, 1,soO hav-
ing been taken in one division Of the
front alone at an early hour.
The French pressure seemed to be
particularly effective south of Aillette
where they captured the important
height on Mont Des Singes and the
towns OF Allemont and Sancy. Their
advance here threatens the right
flank Of the Chemin Des Danes. This
movement also represents further
closing in on the st. Gobain massis
which Is accentuated by progress
north OF the Aillette, where the French
are working into the upper forests OF
Coucy beyond the former German line.
British Beat OF Enemy.
On the Aisne front the French pro-
gress likewise was reported as salts
factory.
On the British front Field Marshal
Haig's forces appear to have been
mainly occupied last night in beating
off renewed German attack on the i'm.
portant ground recently won from the
enemy
All these attempts, which were par
ticularly persistent at Goucacourt and
Havrincourt. were unsuccessful. The
British have made progress. however,
northwest OF St. Quentin where their
lines are now running east OF Jean
court.
In Flanders British forces have oc-
cupied the town OF Auchy-Les-I.aBas-
see. only little more than a mile
from the town of LaBassee.
Continue Advance.
The Americans after eliminating the
ST. Mihiel salient are continuing their
advance From Pagny across the Mo-
selle river from German territory, the
new front extends In almost a straight
line TO the vicinity of IIattcnville,
whore II advances slightly toward the
northwest Of Fresnes. This reduction
OF the front line from some forty to
to twenty miles places at the dis
posal of the allied commanders an
enormous force of men for future op-
erations in this sector or on other
fronts.
Having accomplished the task of
wiping out the salient the offensive
movement continues to push forward
and the further Strengthening OF the
line Is probable. The Americans at
this stage Of the drive command posi-
tions favorable for a direct invasion
OF German territory. If such course
should be decided upon. Although the
important fortress of Metz Is in no
immediate danger, It's outlying fortifi-
cations are within range OF American
heavy guns at Pagny. Metz itself fur
nishes an excellent target for allied |
airmen, who already have taken ad-
vantage of the opportunity and have |
dropped many bombs on railway sta