Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 211, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1918 — SATURDAY WAR SUMMARY. [ARTICLE]

SATURDAY WAR SUMMARY.

American troops, completely victorious in the first great offensive of the war made by United States troops under their own officers, are in complete Control of the St. Mihiel sector, within the salient, their escape is cut off and the enemy is forced back everywhere on the old Hindenburg Wotan line. The salient is practically wiped out. General Pershing reports that 18,300 prisoners have been counted and more captives are streaming to the rear. The Americans have advanced twelve miles at the furthest point. At Panzy the Americans are practically on the German Lorraine bolder. They are on the west bank of the Moselle River, the boundary line between France and German Lorraine. Here they are within ten miles of Metz, capital of Lorraine, and probably the most strongly fortified city on the whole western front. Fort Sommy, one of the outermost fortifications of the defenses of Metz, is only four miles from the American lines.

Sixty German cannon of large caliber, many field guns and innumerable machine guns have been taken by the Americans and the French units fighting under the direction of General Pershing. Genera! Pershing reports that the enemy is retiring further and destroying material. / The allied battle front between Verdun and Nancy has been shortened twenty miles by the American victory, releasing French forces for use by. Generaiissiipo Fbch elsewhere. Victory was achieved within less than thirty-six hours, twelve hours ahead of the schedule arranged by General Pershing for the accomplishment of all objectives. The St. Mihiel salient was fifteen miles deep, with a base of twenty ( miles. This base line, now held by the Americans, includes Herbeuville,

Thillet, HattonviDe, St. Benoit, Karnin es, Jaulny, Thiacourt and V Seville. Beilin officially admits the loss of the wedge, which has been a threat at Verdun eince September, 1914. The German statement, however, says that the “withdrawal was voluntary and has been consedered for some years.” On the British front, northwest of St. Quentin, Field Marshal Haig’s forces have made further progress around Vermand, Jeancourt, and in the region of Laßassee. They penetrated the German lines at places to a enemy counter thrust against Mouvres was repulsed. British took 1,200 prisoners. Belgian newspapers report that the enemy is preparing to evacuate Lille.