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Show FRENCH CAPTURE THE SECOND LINE Summit of Tahure Reached After Artillery Had Cleared Clear-ed the Way. Paris, Oct G, 10:45 p. m French Infantry, after a heavy bombardment by the artillery, today captured by assault the village of Tahure and reached the summit of the hill of the same name, which constituted a supporting sup-porting point in the second German line, according to the official statement state-ment issued by the French war office tonight on the campaign in the west The text follows "Our acton in Champagne obtained today new results. Our Infantry troops after strong artillery preparation, prepara-tion, captured by assault the village of Tahure and reached the summit of the small nil) of the same name, constituting con-stituting a point of support in the second sec-ond line of the enemy resistance. We likewise made progress in the environs envi-rons of the Navarin farm The num- , ber of prisoners taken exceeded 1000 ' "On the rest of tbn frnnf nnlv nHII- lory engagements are roported. These are especially intense in Artols in the region of the Givenchy wood and hill 119, in the Argonne, to the north of La Harazee to La Pretre wood; in Lorraine, near Leintrey, Reillon and Badonviller, as well as in the Vosges on the Metzral ridge." The Belgian official communication follows: "The enemy artillery has displayed only very slight activity before our front It has bombarded the region of Fumes, Pervyse and Oostkerke. A struggle with bombs nas occurred in the region to the north of Steen-Btraete Steen-Btraete and to the north of Dlxmude. Our artillery dispersed military pioneers pio-neers at several points." London. Oct. 6, 10:40 p. m. There is little change In the military situation situa-tion on any of the war fronts. Reports which remain unconfirmed are to tho effect that Austro-Gerraan forces, variously estimated at from 100,000 to 500,000 men, with 2.000 guns, is proceeding through southern Hungary to attack Serbia. Military observers here, however, assert that it is probable that a figure between these estimates would be nearer the truth, declaring that there is no evidence evi-dence of any very heavy withdrawal of Teutonic troops from the Russian front and that the western front every ev-ery day is demanding new drafts. Russ Battling Hard. The observers say that the Germans Ger-mans are not in a position to with-draw with-draw many troops from the Busslan side as the armies of Emperor Nicholas Nicho-las arc making a desperate effort to assume the initiative In the fighting On some sectors Petrograd reports that the Russians have already succeeded suc-ceeded in doing this. Besides, it is asserted, they have now held up Field MarBhal von HIndonburg's drive against Dvlnsk for sovoral weeks and Inflicted very sorious losses loss-es on him. Von HIndonburg Is now reported to bo jeceiving reinforcements reinforce-ments with a view to making another attempt to force his way through the outer defenses of the city. In the west the big gunB are bombarding, bom-barding, seemingly preparing a way for a continuation of the offenslvo of the allies which the Germans doubtless doubt-less will try to forestall by an attack from their side. i London. Oct. 6. The most Important Impor-tant advanco yot scored by the French In their present offensive in Champagne Cham-pagne was made at tho point of the bayonet today, when thoy carried by infantry assault tho villago of Tahure. By this advanco tho French have cut the second line of defense of the Germans and have established themselves them-selves at a point of vantage where their heavy artillery will havo a commanding com-manding sweep of the Challeraugo- .oazuueoun railway line, ono or me most vital arteries of supply for the German army on this front. Not only are Important German lines of communication com-munication threatened, but tho French, by this finally successful effort, ef-fort, have Inserted a wedge between tho army of the crown prince and tho supporting forces on his right. Drive Was Expected. First news of tho gathering force of tile French drivo in this section came In the official report from Berlin Ber-lin today. According to this statement, state-ment, the heavy French artillery opened the preparatory bombardment yesterday morning. Tho cannonade' increased In Intensity against the German defenses during the afternoon, after-noon, Indicating to the beleaguered Germans that the French were paving pav-ing the way for a general attack by storm. When the attack by infantry came, the Germans desperately, and for a while effectively, opposed tho onrush, the French being driven back time after time with heavy losses. Finally the concentrated shell fire and the fury of the Infantry assault that followed fol-lowed carried the charging Frenchmen French-men past the shattered barrier and onto their goal. Helps Joffre's Plans. In General Joffre's plan to crush the Soissons salient, the target of the French in Champagne from the first has been the network of railways and highways north and northwost of St. Menehould. On this plain west of the Argonne forest there are several i lateral lines of communication which bear heavily on the security of the ; German lines to tho west. Tho road i from Sedan pasaes through Vouzicrs, : about fifteon miles north of Ct. Menc- hould, and this is the uaii feeder of me uerman supply system. Upon it and its spreading branches the Gorman Gor-man troops from Rheims to Soissons depend for food and ammunition. Six-miles Six-miles south of Vouzlers this road branches off at .Challerange and runs eastward paralleling the German de-fenco de-fenco line, to Bazancourt, where It joins with the -..'jeims-Charleville railway. The object of tho French attacks was either to capture or de-troy this CbalWange-Bazancourt branch or to control it by their artillery fire. Will Hamper Supplies. This prize was the Incentive for the furious fighting of the first days of Ahe drivo. whon the most terrific fighting of the Champagne battlo occurred oc-curred in the vicinity of Tahuro Tahuro is built on a low hill about 250 feet high. To the north, on the German side, It slopes away gently and spreads out into a level plain. Along this plain and distant only three miles from the summit of tho hill, which is now in French hands, lies the coveted railway line, within 'easy range for several miles due east and west. Aside from hampering the supply of tho troops, continued occupation by the French of thlB position will strike at tho very core of 'the German system sys-tem of defense, for it is upon facility for movement of roberves behind tho first lines that the German commanders command-ers depend for their support in time of urgent need. While motor traffic has been developed to a high state of efficiency to supply this need, the railways are still a necessity. nn |