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Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1918, Page 3

THE! AMERICAN ADVANCE

LONDON, September 11. The news to-day from the American front is excellent. The advance is such as to seriously endanger the German troops still in the St Mihiel pocket. It was roported last night that two Gerdivisions were in the neck, and, it -was doubtful whethor they had succeeded in escaping. The advance continues with such rapidity that it is difficulty to keep in touch with the movements. The line to-day reported runs from Herbouvillo to Dommartiu, westward of Narmons Wood, along the western outskirts of St Mihiel; through Yencieres to Neville; thence to Thulcourt. The line eastward of this point is indefinite. It is reported that the Americans have captured Beney, Thiaueourt, Vignculles, and Houdicourt.

The line thence apparently runs from Montsec to a lake at Vargevoux, where it joins the old line. If this is true, the Americans have advanced on the south side on a fourteen mile front for a depth of eight miles, into the Woevre country, which is much more difficult, and there is probably a greater resistance, the Fran-co-Americans have advanced on a 12mile front to a depth of three miles. The Germans are blowing up ammunition dumps a Tlattonvillo and Vittoaux Both places are outside the pocket. The prisoners say that the attack was delivered so rapidly that they wore overwhelmed and the defenders had not time to put up a stubborn resistance which they were sternly ordered to make . The French staff give an instance of the Americans having easily captured the village of Jaimes, which is capable of a strong defence.

A SURPRISE CAPTURE. OTTAWA, September 13. The United Press correspondent on the W/e.'Hfc front states; General Pctain, General Pershing, and Hon. Mr Baker (American Minister of Mar) walked into St Mihiel where they were received in a most enthusiastic manner by the townspeople. A report from American Headquarters on Friday evening states, the Germans hadn’t time to exacunte the inhabitants, but previously they deported all the boys from ten to sixteen. 'I hey forced the old people to work. As for the rest the least said the better. M hat a relief it was from all those years of oppression was judgable by the transports of joy with which the Americans were greeted. It was the same in all the other towns and villages.

CLOSING ON METZ. LONDON, September 1-1. The Americans, are now seventeen miles from Metz, and only ten from its outer fortifications, but it must be understood that the advance is not directed against that fortress. The enemy is re-adjusting his line north of the old St Mihiel salient. He is retiring on a front of seven miles between Bezonvaux and Cliotillon. The French pafrols are in contact with him

WILL METZ BE TACKLED ? WASHINGTON, September 14. There is an intense thrill throughout America at to-day’s news of the first American offensive. It is considered the fore-runner of an eventual American invasion of Germany. It is emphasised, however, that the present operations are limited, presumably to eliminating the St Mihiel salient, though there is a possibility that General Pershing may follow up and attack in the direction of Metz.

THE AMERICAN SUCCESS. PLEASING DETAILS. fAUHTRAUAN A V.Z. f’A'RT.T' ASSOCIATION] A REUTER.] (Received This Day, at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 15. The Morning American official report states in the St. Mihiel sector our advanced units maintained touch with the enemy force, and repulsed counter attacks in the ergion of JanL. We are now able to estimate the successes obtained. During the two previous days the dash and vigor ot our i troops, and the valiant French diver- i sion with which wo fought shoulde m to shoulder won advances by the fact j that the forces attacking on both laces of the salient affected a junction and secured the results desired within n hours, besides liberating over foU square miles of territory, and taking fifteen thousand ./prisoners. iVe captured a- mass of material; over one hundred guns of all calibre, and hundreds of machine guns and trench mortars wore taken, despite the enemy having during the retreat, burned large stores A partial examination of the batttofield shows great quantities of ammuniion, telegraph railroads, material, rolling stock, and clothing equipment were abandoned. Further evidence of the haste of the enemy retreat is revealed by the fact of tho unbroken bridges left bahind. The French pursuit in bombing and reeonnaisance, and units also of British and Italian bombing services divided with our air service the control of the air,, and contributed materially to the success of the operation.

THE KING’S CONGRATULATIONS. (Received This Day at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 14. King George telegraphed to President" Wilson on behalf of the British Empire:—l heartily congratulate: you on the brilliant achievement of the Afericans and Allied troops under the leadership of General Pershing at St. Miiol salient. The fair reaching _ results of these successful operations which marked the active intervention of the American Army on a great scale under its own administration, are the happiest augury for the complete, and I hope not far distant triumph of the Allied cause.”

A SWEEPING ADVANCE. ' | (Received This Day at. 9.15 a.m.) j NEW YORK, Sep. 13. Mr Cameron MacKenzie, the “New York Times’’ correspondent with the American Army, cables that the Americans, when attacking east of St. Mihiel, on countered but slight resistance. The first system of German defences were swept over to the second line ahead of schedule time. There the Germans resisted heavily. The American cavalry were in action. ■A REAL ARMY. (Received This Dnv af 9.50. a.m.) NEW YORK, Sep. 13. It is estimated that a quarter of a million American troops are engaged now.

I ON TO METZ. (Received This Dav at 0.25 n.m.) NEW YORK, Sep. 13. The “New" York Times” Washington : correspondent says the military officials | and experts belfcve that Metz is the I goal of General Foch’s new drive. THE NEW OFFENSIVE. (Re.-ii-ed Tliis Lav at 11.'?'*, n.m ‘ WASHINGTON, September 14. The Americans advanced on both .sides of St Mihiel in considerable force. The French attacked in the centre. The Germans resisted but little. In one district 3,500 surrendered after the briefest fight. Later considerable bayonet fighting occurred. It is believed the Americans have notv reached Pagny on the German border. The opening of the Nancy-Toul-Ver-dun railway is of great strategic importance. | General Hiudenburg, it is understood, j recently inspected the Metz defence. I

BLTCK AMERICANS. (Received This Day at 11.15 n.m.) NEW YORK. September 15. An Amcjrfcan Headquarters correspondent writes Chat the new American system of communication works perfectly, greatly assisting in the precision of the operations. The Corps Headquarters are telephoning each other of the various commands as easily ns business men in Now York. Male operators are used at the front, but the Central Exchange is worked by picked women operators who plugged as never before to save American lives.

GERMAN VANDALISM. (Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) PARIS, Sept. 15. Mr. Raker, the American War Secretary states that Generals Pershing 1 and Petain (French) entered St. Mihiel , where they were welcomed by the Mayor and its remaining citizens, with touching enthusiasm. ! It is reported that the town was subjected to forced levies oi a million francs. Large numbers of men and bovs were deported to Germany. Prior to the flight, the Germans stripped the countryside hare by systematic pillage and destruction, even stealing the entire contents of the peasants’ cottages including the bed elo’thes.