| OCR Text |
Show British Troops Capture Villages and Make Progress on Scheldt to City of Valenciennes. Germans Fighting Desperately; Des-perately; Their Casualties Casual-ties for the Last Four Days Are Enormous. COPENHAGEN, Oct. 26. General Gen-eral Ludendorff of the German army has 'resigned. A telegram from Berlin says: "The kaiser jias accepted Imdendorff 's resigna-Uon, resigna-Uon, and declared that the Lower Rhenish infantry regiment No. 39, whose commander General I.uden-clorff I.uden-clorff long had been, shall bear hiB name. ' ' ' the Absociated Press. Germany's hard-pressed soldiers arc being be-ing givon no rest as tho British. fcYench and American forces continue with success suc-cess their drives on important sectord from north-of Valenciennes to east of the Mouse. Meanwhile the Italians are pushing push-ing ahead in the region of Monte Grappa. On the northern end of the front In Franco tho British maintain their progress prog-ress in encircling Valenciennes. In the center the Kremcb have shaken seriously the German defences along tho Serre and eastward toward tho Aisne at Chateau Porcien. Tho American troops east and west of tho Meuse not only hold .their gains against stroius enemy reactions, but have further strengthened their position north of Grand Pre. BITTER FIGHTING STILL CONTINUES. South of Valenciennes Field Marshal - Haig is across the Valenciennes-le Ques-noy Ques-noy railroad and the fall of Le Quesnoy, which is vital to tho defense of lions and. Maubeuge, would appear to be near at hand. Tho fighting on this section continues con-tinues bitter, with the British striving to outflank tho Mormal forest. On 1he northwest of tho forest the British havo advanced somewhat and captured Fhigle-fontaine Fhigle-fontaine and a near-by hill. Along tho northern edge of the Raismes fflrest north of Valenciennes, the British have approached ap-proached nearer Iho canalized portions of the Scheldt river. In this region they have captured the illagcs of Odomez and Maulde. If the British can cross the canal in force in this region ami continue their , Progress south of Valenciennes. It would S. Beem the Germans soon would retire from j that Important point and probably read-v read-v Wgt their lines north and south on a largo scale. RAPID STRIDES OF FRENCH FORCES. J Between the OIso and the Aisne the Krench arc making rapid strides towards the important points of Mario and Mont-cornel. Mont-cornel. Along the railway southwest of Marie, they have captured the villages of Mortlera and maintain their pressure elsewhere else-where along the Serre. Further oast a big hole has been torn in the German defenses begun in 1917. Between Banogne and Herpy the Krench havo driven forward for-ward toward Montcornet, about two y miles on a front of between four and five v niiles. A continued advance here men-IK men-IK noes the German hold on Rcthel. to which y the enemy has clung tenaciously and tends to outflank tho German line eastward east-ward along the Aisno to Vouziers. Tho Germans continue to fight desper-fttely desper-fttely to check the advance of the Amerl- can troops along the vital front cast and west of tho Meuse. Their counter-attacks at various points on both sides of the river have been repulsed, but tho enemy continues to bombard the Ameri-can Ameri-can line heavily. On the extreme western y end the Americans have reinforced their hold on the hills in the southern portion ,. of Bourgogno wood, north of the Grand Pre. SET FOUR HUNDRED SQUARE MILES FREE. , - lbo last week the allied troops in ynince and Belgium have freed 400 square a! miles of territory from the grasp of the t enemy. Paris estimates that in (he last 1 four nays the Germans have suffered to-. to-. I tal casualties of 50,000, including l.".,000 1 Prisoners. 1 ln 'be continuation of their attack be-I: be-I: (Continued on Page Two.) the troops of the ISOth and 230th regiments. regi-ments. The conquest of this extremely difficult position has been possible only as a result of the valor of these troops, who have beaten the desperate resistance of the enemy. "The Aosta brigade has conquered Monte Valderoa by a storming' action. The enemy has been beaten all over the front in every attempt of counter-attack. "Considerable aerial activity has been displayed by our aviators. Over 2700 tons of explosives have been dropped over the enemy positions behind the lines. Numerous fires have been noticed as a consequence of these bombing expeditions. Fires have been observed also at San Giovanni di Mediua." ITALIAKS ARRIVE AT THE BULBAR BORDER (Continued from Page One.) tween the Piave and the Brenta the Italians Ital-ians have captured more than 2000 prisoners pris-oners in the last twenty-four hours, the Italian war ofico reports. There was heavy fighting all day Friday Fri-day northwest of Monte Grappa, but the Italians concentrated their gains of Thursday Thurs-day and extended them somewhat. A strongly fortified height of Monte Pertica to the northwest was carried by the Italians. ITALIAN CAVALRY . REPORTED REACHING BULGARIAN BORDER LONDON, Oct. 26. Italian cavalry has reached the Bulgarian border near Egri Palanka, fifty miles southwest of Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, according to reports re-ports reaching here today. LONDON NEWSPAPER PRAISES ATTITUDE OF THE PRESIDENT (New York Times-Chicaso Tribune Cable. Copyright.) LONDON, Oct. 26. Under the heading, head-ing, "Shirt-sleeve Diplomacy," the Chronicle publishes an article by a correspondent corre-spondent wherein it is said: "Wilson's reply has established a record rec-ord for plain speaking in international relations. Never has a nation been talked to with the force and directness of this representative of the new world. That he should deal so faithfully with the foe has caused universal approval. The most curious example of it is the Labor party's Indorsement. Its leaders claim that the response of Germany will be influenced by the tone adopted here, yet since the White House has gone so far It Is difficult to see how the national spirit can receive a ruder blow from any English comment. The next step Is up to Germany. Will she yield or carry on the war? That depends on the relative force and activity of the militarist and reform parties. The most authorized opinion believes Germany must submit, first, because the military position, which, if not Immediately desperate, threatens to become so when the Americans Amer-icans are in full force. Second, the political po-litical situation; third, Germany's isolation, isola-tion, Bulgaria having yielded and Austria and Turkey being virtually finished. Hence the forces making for peace are too strong to be long disregarded, though Lhero may be a last rally to the cry of national defense, which would give the war a new fillip. At the same time, there ,Are signs of democratic ferment in Germany Ger-many which may produce such a weakening weak-ening of the belligerent spirit that even the army, the most highly organized of any part of the Imperial machine, will be affected ; but for the moment hopes may serve the ends of the last-ditchers. In any case, our pressure must be maintained." ITALIANS EXTEND POSITIONS DURING HEAVY FIGHTING ROME, Oct. 26. In the successful assault as-sault against the Austrian defenses along the Pfave and west of that river. Italian troops have captured more than 2000 prisoners pris-oners In the last twenty-four hours, the war office announced today. Heavy fighting continued all day Friday Fri-day in the Monte Grappa region, but the Italian Fourth army maintained its positions posi-tions and extended them at some points. ALBANIA TRIBERS TAKING UP ARMS AGAINST ENEMY LONDON, Oct. 86. Jj? the successful assaults against the Austrians along the Piave and west of that river, the Italians have captured more than 2000 prisoners in the last twenty-four hours, the war office announced today The message also said that Italian troops continued to advance along the lower Mati in Albania, and that the Albania Al-bania tribesmen are taking up arms against the Austrians and lighting under Italian colors. HUN SUBMARINES NEARLY NEGLIBLE AS WAR MEASURE J jON DON, Oct. 26. Germn n submari ne activity reached .such a low Flute this week as to become almost negligible us a war measure, notwithsta tiding that many more lr-honts are lurking In the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The British admiralty looks upon this situation as part of the German peaj.o offensive. It Is believed at the admiralty that if Germany elects to fight to the end of her resources her groat est submarine sub-marine effort may he expected late In December and In January. BRITISH OCCUPY VILLAGES IN PUSH ALONG SCHELDT LONTX)N, Oct. 26. British troops have occupied the villages of Atres and Fa-mars, Fa-mars, south of Valenciennes, and have made progress along the Schedlt toward the outskirts of that town. Field Marshal Mar-shal Haig reports tonight. The statement says: "As a result cf a s-icce?sful operation commenced by us this morning south of Valenciennes, wo captured the villages of Atres and Famars, thus securing crossings cross-ings of the tfiver Rhonello at the smaller pi;,'- .in,, pi,:-hi-),- forward along tho fast bank of the- Scheldt toward the southern outskirts of Valenciennes. "A counter-attack delivered by the enemy In the neighborhood of Kngle-Fon-tulno was repulsed. During the course of today's operations we took prisoner about 1000 Germans." GERMANS STOLE EVERYTHING, SAYS CITIZEN OF BRUGES AMSTERDAM. Oct. 26. Wcather-heatcn Wcather-heatcn refugees, mostly from the north nf France, are trickling Into the Dutch provinces of Ilrabant and Dlrnhurg Some 2000 are now accommodated In towns In these provinces. About 5 per cent nro 111 from fatigue or Inlluonxa and are being be-ing oared for in hospitals and convents. Distressing h lories are told about the old people and babies who died from o-posure o-posure on the way and were buried Where they mot their end. Farther westward west-ward nO exodus has yet taken place. In view of the German disclaimers of pilfering by the retreating t roops, It Is significant t hat Dutch oorrosporidents at half a dozen different points on the frontier tell the- same story obtained from refugees. "The Germans stole everything they could lay their hands on," a clti.on of Bruges said to the- Uosendanl correspondent correspond-ent of the Massbode. , . ...... GERMANS FIGHT DESPERATELY NEAR VALENCIENNES WITH THE BRITISH ARMY- IN FRANCE, Oct. 2f. -The Germans were fighting desperately today on the new line along the Scholdt canal and the Rhone) le ilver. In the region of Valenciennes, Valen-ciennes, to which they had been forced hy the Hrltlsh encircling movement north and south of Valenoionnes. In the fighting Friday the TtrlMsh mndo deep dents In tne German defenses north and Mouth of Vale nolo n nes, in spite of the determined resistance of the enemy. BERLIN NEWSPAPER ASSERTS FORMER RULERS POWERLESS COPKNMAGION, Oct. 26. - The Socialist newspaper Vorwaei Is of Her 11 n says it doer noi understand whether complete Internal reform on the part of Oerte.uiy WOUld make tho terms of surrender easier. It continues: "In any event, Mr. Wilson ot'rs I f he believed the former holders of power In Gormany can ever regain tholr power. Henceforth then win be no power in tier-many tier-many but that of the German people, Our opponent who demanded the fliS- arming of the German people must real UBQ that a great nut Inn caneot permanently perma-nently be rendered defenselas. it win be demonstratod at the pence conference whoi her I he war has boon merely adjourned ad-journed or fin. illy em led." GERMANS CONVERT FRENCH VILLAGES INTO FORTRESSES PJUDNCH HEADQUARTER, Oct. 26. (Better's.) General 'Decency army between be-tween the Oiso arid the tferro Is attacking attack-ing General von Hut tor's so-called Hermann Her-mann position on a front of fifteen tulles. Tho Germans have oonverled the villages, generally situated on the orests or ridges. Into fortresses and are resisting bitterly, bitter-ly, knowing the safoty of the Gorman army facing General Gouraud on the cast depends on I no Hermann line holding. The Hermann defenses are nlready penatrfl ted at several points and. with the 'titty today of General Mangle's Ton th and ' leneral GuHjausuui'i Fifth artny inter active oporallons in the region re-gion of Chateau Porclen, thus extending the battlOfront by forty miles, the Hond-Ing Hond-Ing line has been fought clean through the QefmaZLS IosImk MOO prisoners. Gorman Gor-man resistance opposite (eneral I honey's for' es has ;i ppreHaMy weakenod. nlClpaJ authorities ask that an allied or neutral commission visit the clt y soon to establish the falsity of the statement made by IT. Solf, (be German foreign minister, that the city was destroyed by shells from the allied guns. Such a visit would also, they say, establish t hat tho German depredations were actuated by a determination to crush the economic life or France. CIVILIANS REFUSE TO QUIT TOURNAl, DESPITE HUN ORDER WASHINGTON. Oct. :fi. Thirty-two thousand civilians, despite the request of tho Germans, have iodised to evneunte tho city of Tournjil. which is being approached ap-proached by the British forces, accord -lug to advices reenlvbd tonight from Rotterdam Rot-terdam by the commission for relief In Belgium Special trains put at their disposal dis-posal by the Germans were unable to leave for lack of passengers. Six thousand Belgian refugees have SQ far reached Holland, t ho dispatoh added. Reports ft "in Brussels say difficulty is fining experienced In housing roi ugoo from other parts of Belgium ana many are Buffering from exposure and grip, GERMANS LACK MATERIAL TO WAGE ANY LONG BATTLE PARIB, Oct 86.- (HavnsO The Liii l(f Valenciennes Is Imminent, if it has not already ooourred, the Petit Parisian says; "The uhtef stronghold of the leoond Ger man lino i gone) Its center Invested, u in the object of direct assaults and looa outflanking movements which will soon smash ll ." t bo paper QOJltlnues. "Tho opera) tors of lenernl Debeoey's army north of Oulse and theme f General Kan gin in the dlredtlon of Marie constitute i n tnoreoelng danjrar The Bldoaut line may be conaldored an lost ti Sombre (CJoul.inuod on Pao IN, s.) GERMANS DESTROY PROPERTY AND VALUABLE PAPERS I'AKIS, del. 21. -liollhrruto dttnlnir.Uon rr property and aoounenti of historic nature was carried by the Qerms,ns it Kt. Quentlni according to report mfcde to premier Clemenoeau by tho nni-nlolpal nni-nlolpal authorities r that nty who mmio an fivest1fatlon A nolenl city doouments which had bsen walled up under control or the German Ger-man oninmnnil it ml plfirntj nndor onl were found u have been removed fr Imrnod. KvlilnnoM ahnwotl Hint (IiIh oo-ourreO oo-ourreO shortly after the tniinbiianin n-.i from :;t. Quentln In March, inn. Al the eal hedrsJ an attempt was made to mine t hn area I plllHrn, hut I ho niiild atlvnnoo of tne French pr0 vented tbe Oexmani from oarrylng oul their desire. tftrlpplns every faotory In the oltyj the Oermans carried on all model! and d pr.nn, :iiol ovoti (ho noi-oimtH of tho viirl- OMII oolMHinloH Writ' lUtJIOVOU,. TltO IllU FRUSTRATE ENEMY ATTEMPTS TO GET TERRITORY BACK v7A8HlrOTONi Oct, 26.- -Vlolenl flfht Ins oontli i today on the line whom the i tails Mi with tbe British co-ope rati nn( launched a uw offensive iiKhint the Austrians yasterday, A Rome dispatch to the Italian smbassV says the fourth army hai frustrated ntiempte nr the on-emy on-emy to reconquer irnilorv IokI yoMler-dnv yoMler-dnv "lol hnn enlnrKod Hh kmIiih. or Mi- flffhtlns "ii tif' Italian front the ii match aads! 'During the l;"1' twentv-fotar noun rortj vn officers nd 2102 rnn have i,. . i. captured. The shock troops of the Penftaro hrhrado j Mporinlly reNpmml- hh for tiir Ihillnn :ni' ' '' -' In I ho (Jnippfl irc.lon. if ",t.n1 I'. rM'-a In- hi-, n . oii'iimri rl hy ITALIANS ARRIVE Iff THE BULGAR BORDER (Continued From Page Two.) lino may be taken shortly. Wo can foresee fore-see that the enemy will retreat to the Meuse." Th e Matin says: " Th e CI erm an army has no material, lacks munitions, has not sufficient reserves to continue a long bat-tlo bat-tlo and has no tanks with which to attack. at-tack. The spirit in the enemy rear Is at a low level, while the spirit at the front is bad. This has been proven by army orders which have fallen into our hands. Wo would be false to our ideals if wo failed to take advantage of the sit- j uatlon." |
