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Show RETREAT OF THE GERMANS SUDDEN i Huns Departed From Trenches, Trench-es, Leaving Half-cooked Meals in Saucepans. ON THE FRENCH FRONT IN FRANCE, Nov. 4. (By the Associated Press.) The French advance in pursuit pur-suit of the Germans beyond the Chem-in Chem-in des Dames has attained an average of a mile and a half, the southern bank of the Ailette being reached everywhere. ev-erywhere. Altogether since yesterday about eighteen square miles of territory terri-tory have fallen Into French hands. Many points in the line were bombarded bom-barded by the German big guns during dur-ing the French advance, especially in the neighborhood of Allies, where numerous num-erous mustard-gas shells somewhat delayed de-layed the progress of the French troops. The French are displaying the greatest great-est prudence In their movements in consequence of the frequency of the caverns on all sides of the hills. As a result of this caution the troops while going forward discovered a number num-ber of traps for the unwary. In Cerny a steel helmet hung on a pole was found on examination to have an electric elec-tric wire connection running into a mine which would explode In the event of the helmet being snatched away. At the present moment the French occupy every crest and possess all the observatories above Craonne, Ailles, Cerny and Courteoon, while so far as can be made out the Germans have established their line on the other side of the Ailette valley. They destroved every bridge over the Ailette as thev retired. The German evacuation was discovered discov-ered on Friday when a patrol of chas- ""-"' iuuuu uuu ui me uerman iront trenches empty and Immediately gave the alarm. Other patrols advanced and found all the trenches emptv and a search of dozens of shelters and tunnels tun-nels confirmed tho departure of the Germans. It was evident that the German troops which occupied the front lines until the last moment received little warning of the order to retire, as half cooked meals, still hot, were found In the saucepans. It Is a remarkable coincident that the same French troops which are facing fac-ing the Germans on this occasion had occupied Lassigny when the Germans executed their retreat in March of this year. The entire position which is a perfect honeycomb of shelters, was reorganized by the French during the course of the day and last night It Is uncertain whether the Germans Ger-mans intend to retreat further, although al-though many movements of the troops toward the north have been observed and it is believed Laon has been evacuated evac-uated by the civilian population. It is known that the Germans were busily engaged throughout the summer In establishing field works at a considerable consider-able distance in the rear of their present pres-ent position. |