OUR MEN ATTACK ON 71-MILE FRONT
Second Army's First Offensive West of the Moselle Nets Extensive Gains.
STENAY STRONGHOLD TAKEN
Americans Hailed by Residents as Deliverers—Find Town in Good Condition.
STUBBORN RESISTANCE MET
Fee Used Many Machine Guns, but His Artillery Fire Was Weak.
By EDWIN L. JAMES.
Copyright, 1918, by The New York Times Company.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE, Nov. 10.—The fact that this might be the last day of the war had no recognizable effect on military operations along the American front. The truth of the matter is that the United States fighting men were busy today on the greatest front they ever worked on, for we were fighting over a 115-kilometer line from Sedan east to the Moselle River near Pont-a-Mousson.
Although there seemed to be a fair chance that the armistice would be accepted by the Germans tomorrow at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, General Pershing proceeded to show the enemy the real situation by launching an attack by the American Second Army over a fifty-kilometer front. This attack was made with limited objectives for the partial purpose of feeling out the German strength.
We found stubborn resistance at most points, but nothing that stopped us. The objectives reached today included the Bois Cheminot, the Bois Voivrotte, the Bois Warville, the Heights of Etines, St. Hilaire, and Marchéville. We advanced over the whole front according to schedule, gaining at some places five kilometers. The Germans had many machine guns, but weak artillery fire.
The result of the attack by the Second Army shows that they have a considerable number of divisions in front of the Metz region.
Success for Second Army.
The terrific effort of the American First Army in the Meuse sector, while using up some forty-three German divisions, of course taxed us heavily. But now the Second Army has its outfit and it works well, as was shown by the success of its first operation today.
The advance of the Second Army was made from a front approximately the same as that reached following the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient by the First Army in the middle of September. General Bullard's Second Army took over this front when the First Army was shipped north of Verdun for our great drive starting on Sept 26.
The First Army continued to distinguish itself today by capturing the important town of Stenay, lying on the eastern bank of the Meuse, which the Germans had endeavored to hold by hundreds of machine-gun nests and by terrific artillery and machine-gun barrages from the hills beyond Stenay.
Stenay was a town of some three thousand inhabitants before the war. We found 850 civilians there who came out from their cellars and warmly welcomed their Yankee deliverers.
The town was in excellent condition. We reached Laneuville six days ago. Since then the Germans have dropped a considerable number of shells into Stenay, but its condition cannot be called bad.
Advances by Americans.
Further east a division of the First Army occupied Grimaucourt. At various points on the line we pushed the Germans back for good gains. The boche gunners took out some spite on our bridge at Mouzon this morning and knocked it out at two places.
The Germans put up strong resistance today in the vicinity of Grand Chena, Dieppe, and Les Cognons, while at other places they offered very little resistance.
Very heavy traffic was reported by aviators on the roads leading into Montmedy and the north. We kept up a harassing fire all day on these lines of communication. Our day bombers reported that very few German machines attempted to interfere with their work.
Operations of both the First and the Second Army continue and they will keep the boche busy on their long front until called off.
Every one in the American Army is looking forward to tomorrow at 11 o'clock. The army is ready for any turn the war may take.
Attack by Two Armies.
WITH THE AMERICAN FORCES ON THE MEUSE FRONT, Nov. 10, (Associated Press.)—The First and Second American Armies, in their attacks today extending along the Moselle and the Meuse, advanced on a front of approximately 115 kilometers, (71 1/8 miles.) French troops operating under the American command also advanced at various points.
The captured territory included the German stronghold of Stenay, Grimaucourt, east of Verdun, and numerous villages and fortified positions in Lorraine.
The Second American Army in the morning launched its first attack in Lorraine. Its objectives were limited. The villages of St. Hilaire and Macheville were captured, as also were a number of woods.
Advance West of Moselle.
The territory west of the Moselle taken by the Americans includes the Heights Etines, the Bois de Wavrille, the Bois Voivrotte, and the Bois Cheminotte.
The Germans offered stiff opposition with machine guns and artillery. More than 100 prisoners were taken by Pershing's men.
Aroused by repeated German raids and local attacks during the last few nights west of the Moselle, the Second American Army in its initial attack crashed down on the Germans early this morning with artillery preparation lasting several hours. Then the infantry forged ahead, advancing at places more than three miles. The Germsn fought desperately, using their machine guns, but were forced to give ground almost everywhere along the entire front.
General Pershing's troops in the afternoon captured Stenay, on the east bank of the Meuse, notwithstanding terrific opposition.
Capture of Stenay.
Stenay, which was strongly fortified, was taken in an attack from the south. The Americans swept forward against streams of machine-gun bullets and artillery fire from the hills northeast of the town.
The entire district in the region of Stenay was flooded by the Germans, who dammed the canals and rivers. The Americans, crossing the River Mause from below, took Stenar in a great northward push.
The armistice situation had no apparent effect on the activities on the Americans' Sedan front Sunday morning. Parts of the front were marked by artillery exchanges, with the Germans shelling the Verdun road in the regions of Cesse, Beaumont, Mouzon, and Balaan. The Mouzon bridge was broken in two places.
Along the Mause from the region of Sedan to Stenay the German machine gunners, clinging to the hills overlooking the river, kept flares burning during all Saturday night, preventing the Americans from crossing. Throughout the night the American artillery boomed along the entire front as a signal to the American infantrymen that the war was still on, despite rumors of peace.
All Objectives Reached.
In the drive east of the Mause which resulted in the capture of Stenay the Americans extended their lines north-east of Mouzay, reaching the Bois du Chesnois. The Germans defended every foot of the ground over which the advance was made. All the objectives were reached in the day's fighting, and wherever the enemy attempted to make a stand he was beaten back.
Before the war Stenay was a town of about 4,000 inhabitants. It is believed that several thousand of these people remain there. Because of this belief the American artillery did not fire upon the town.
AMERICANS TAKE SIX VILLAGES
Bois Dommartin Cleared, Says General Pershing's Communique.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.—General Pershing's communiqué for this evening says that a series of local operations by the First and Second Armies between the Mause and Moselle Rivers resulted in considerable gains of ground today. Six villages were captured and the Bois Dommartin cleared. The statement follows:
HEADQUARTERS AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. Nov. 10, (evening.)—"A series of local operations by the First and Second Armies resulted in considerable gains today at many points along the line between the Mause and Moselle.
"Troops of the First Army, with whom French units are operating, reached the southern outskirts of Stenay and occupied Bois du Chesnois, south of Baalon. Beyond the eastern slopes of the heights of the Meuse, the villages of Giberoy, Abaucourt and Grimacout were taken.
"In the Woevre, despite stubborn resistance from machine guns and heavy artillery, troops of the Second Army penetrated the enemy's line and drove him from several well-organized and strongly held positions. The towns of Marcheville and St. Hilaire were taken and the Bois Dommartin was cleared of the enemy."
The communiqué for this morning says:
"Headquarters American Expeditionary Forces in France, Nov. 10, (morning):
"Along the front of the First Army on the west bank of the Mause, from Mouzay to Fresnes-en-Woevre, the night was marked by heavy artillery fire and by sharp machine gun fighting."
BRITISH SWEEP ON IN SOUTHERN BELGIUM
Capture Lauze and Renaix and Reach the Southern Outskirts of Mons.
LONDON, Nov. 10.—The British sweep through Southern Belgium continued today. The Franco-Belgian frontier was reached south of the Sambre. North of the Mons-Condé Canal the advance beyond the Scheldt was pressed, the town of Lauze being captured, and British cavalry is approaching Ath, (sixteen miles east of Tournai.)
Further north, progress has been made to a point four miles east of Renaix, the capture of which was reported in Field Marshal Haig's day bulletin.
The Faubourg de Bertaimont, on the southern outskirts of Mons, has been occupied.
Following is the night report from British Headquarters:
The text of the day statement follows:
Our advanced forces are keeping in touch with the retreating enemy on the whole front.
We have occupied the Faubourg de Bertaimont, on the southern outskirts of Mons.
Further north we are approaching Leuze and have taken Renaix. [Renaix is about thirty miles west of Brussels.]
South of the Sambre our advanced troops have reached the Franco-Belgian frontier. North of the Sambre our progress continued against somewhat increased resistance from the enemy rearguards.
North of the Mons-Condé Canal our troops have taken Leuse, and our cavalry is approaching Ath. We have progressed four miles east of Renaix.
Our advanced detachments are pushing forward southeast of Mons, and have reached the line of the canal west and northwest of that town. On the railways east of Maubeuge great quantities of rolling stock have fallen into our hands.
FRENCH DRIVE AHEAD, TAKING VAST BOOTY
Enemy's Retreat Becoming More Precipitate—Many More Villages Freed.
PARIS, Nov. 10.—Further important advanced by the French are reported by the War Office tonight. Heavy German counterattacks against the troops who crossed the Meuse were repulsed, and numerous villages along the whole line have been freed of the enemy.
The troops this morning renewed their pursuit of the Germans. The early official statement issued today says that the retreat of the enemy is becoming more and more precipitate. Everywhere along the line the Germans are abandoning great quantities of war material.
Cannon, numerous vehicles of all description, and in some instances entire railroad trains, have been captured by Foch's forces.
The text of the night bulletin follows:
In the pursuit of the enemy rearguards our troops have made extensive progress during the course of the day on the whole front. North of the Oise we hold Eppe-Sauvage, seventeen kilometers east of Avesnes, and Moustiere-en-Fagne.
In Belgium we have gone beyond Bailievre and Salles.
Further east our advanced guards, despite the increased German resistance in the wooded zone north of Signy-le-Petit, placed their lines on the northern outskirts of the forest of the same name near Gruerie. We have occupied Maubert-Fontaine and have reached within four kilometers of Rieges de Maubert, as well as the heights to the northeast of Sevigny forest.
The valiant Italian corps, operating further to the right, after having captured Tremblois and Rimogne, penetrated the Potées Wood and Harcy Wood, pushing vigorously in the direction of Bourg Fidèle.
West of the Meuse we have progressed north of the general line of the Renwez, Montcornet, Arreux, Damouzy, and Belair, two and a half kilometers north of Charleville.
East Mézières the Germans violently counterattacked our troops, who had crossed the Meuse in the region of Donchery. After spirited fighting we drove the enemy back, and maintained our lines on the north bank.
The material captured in the course of the pursuit still accumulates. Parks of automobiles, provisions of all sorts in great quantities, and wagons fell into our hands. Numerous villages were freed.
The text of the day statement reads:
Our pursuit of the enemy was renewed this morning under favorable conditions.
West of Mézières the French passed the Sormonne River and took the village of Sormonne. They reached the Hirson route at Mézières-sur-Renwez.
On the right the French continued to cross the Meuse River between Lumes and Donchery.
In his retreat, which is becoming more and more precipitate, the enemy is abandoning everywhere considerable material. The French have captured, notably between Anor and Momignies (southeastern Belgium), cannon, numerous vehicles of all kinds and whole railroad trains.
The Belgian official communication tonight says:
The French Army in Belgium continued to force back the enemy today. It reached this afternoon a front comprising the eastern outskirts of Nederzwalm-Hemelgem, Boucle-St. Denis, and Segersem.
On the left American units crossed the Scheldt east of Heuvel. The advance in the south was fifteen kilometers and in the centre opposite Audenarde seven kilometers.
The Belgian army made a crossing of the Scheldt with some of its elements at Boucle-Semmerzacke.
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN FRANCE, Nov. 10, (Associated Press.)—The French General Gouraud made his official entry into Sedan at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
Disorder is beginning to show in the ranks of the retreating German Army. French troops, with their cavalry in the lead, are pressing the enemy closely all along the line.
The booty increases in importance as the pursuit goes on. Several railroad trains, batteries of artillery intact, immense munition dumps and stores, and wagon trains fell into the hands of the allied troops yesterday and today, together with a large number of prisoners.
The pursuit of the enemy is being rendered extremely difficult by reason of the shortening front, which makes necessary the withdrawal of materials rendered useless on the diminishing line and the doubling of traffic on roads already congested by the convoys following the advancing troops.
French territory occupied by the enemy along the Belgian frontier is diminishing rapidly in size. Everywhere the French troops are now within a short days march of the border line, and could complete the liberation of French soil in the north before the end of a day if the roads were not becoming more and more incumbered by the increasing traffic and by the booty left behind by the enemy.
At this hour it appears that it will be a close race between the final crossing of the Belgian frontier all along the line and final action on the armistice proposals.
FRONT IS QUIET, BERLIN SAYS.
But Admits Continued Retreat Before the British in Belgium.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.—"It is officially reported that the west front was quiet today," said a wireless message from the German station at Nauen, received tonight by naval radio towers in this country.
BERLIN, Nov. 10. (via London.)—The German official statement issued today regarding military operations on the western front says:
Yesterday between the Scheldt and the Meuse the enemy followed our movements beyond Ronsse, Leuze, St. Guislain, Maubeuge, Trelow, and over the Sormonne River, west of Charleville.
On the Eastern Meuse Heights and on the plain of the Woevre many attacks of the Americans were repulsed.
LONDON VIEW OF ELECTION.
American Still Support Wilson in International Situation.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
LONDON, Nov. 10.—The Daily Chronicle editorial on the American election says: "Englishmen are not concerned to express an opinion one way or the other regarding the internal politics of the United States. But they are deeply interested in the continued exercise by President Wilson of his strong personal influence over the various currents of the international crisis, an influence hitherto used with such singular wisdom. It would appear, however, that on international questions no substantial party difference has developed in America and the President should be able to count to the end on his countrymen's support."
BERLIN EXPLAINS INVASION OF TYROL
Says It Was Only to Keep Demoralized Austrians from German Soil.
MACKENSEN IS DEFIANT
Determined to Pass Through Hungary from Rumania Without Disarming Troops.
AMSTERDAM, Nov. 10.—With respect to the Austrian protest to the German Government against the invasion of Northern Tyrol by Bavarian troops, it is explained in Berlin that the crossing of the frontier was designed to keep disorganized and undisciplined Austrian troops from German territory, and that it will not obstruct the demobilization of the Austrian forces.
The German Field Marshal von Mackensen's troops, it is reported, will force their way through Hungary to Germany with their arms, despite the injunction of the Hungarian Government that arms must be discarded when German troops cross Hungarian soil.
INNSBRUCK, Nov. 9, (via Basle, Nov. 10.)—Bavarian troops have occupied the railroad station here.
Austrian troops are returning from the former front in swarms, clinging to the railway cars wherever they can get a hold. Many have been crushed or decapitated when the trains passed through tunnels. Bodies to the number of 273 were picked up on a single day on the railroad tracks near Innsbruck.
GERMAN NEWSPAPERS STILL RAIL AT AMERICA
Rhenish Gazette Doubts Wilson's Sincerity and Thinks We Strive for Power.
Copyright, 1918, by The New York Times Company.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
THE HAGUE, Nov. 9.—Commenting on the American election, the Rhenish Gazette says:
"Doubtless there are many pacifists at work today in America, who also support Wilson's League. These are mostly to be found among Democrats; but it is a mistake to believe that all Democrats want peace. The Democrats pursue imperialism under the banner of the protection of small nations and freedom of nations and of the seas, and these ideas are propagated by means of beautiful phrases, which, however, are nevertheless filled with true American strivings for power and force. All the same, it must be admitted that the ideas for a prace of justice and conciliation are more prevalent among the Democrats than the Republicans."
The paper alleges that Roosevelt, Taft and Lodge are the champions of peace by force and want to destroy Germany, and it points out that President Wilson's election message to the people was an appeal to the self-love and vanity of Americans and was an effort to take the wind out of the Republican's sails.
"As Wilson was elected peace President," says the paper, "he must appear as a positive factor in ending the war, and the league is thereby a means to an end. On the other hand, if he wishes to down the Republicans and assure his party victory in Congress, which at present is dubious, then he is forced to make imperialistic chauvinistic concessions.
"All this, however, is incidental for the Germans, and the main question is whether Wilson is an honest peace-bringer, as his admirers believe, or whether he is a disguised imperialist under the mask of pacifism, only desiring Germany's destruction. Only the armistice conditions will show whether Wilson is striving for a just peace or whether he is the slave and spokesman for Lloyd George and Clemenceau. It is possible that delay in the publication of the armistice conditions is connected with the American elections, and only when the results are known will it be clear which way the pendulum swings."
It is evident that the Germans are still banking on discussion among the Allies as to peace conditions and feeling for a weak spot in the allied armament, although, as one paper explains, it is difficult to tell whether these differences can be used for the advantage of the German Empire and whether Wilson's influence on the Allies is not exaggerated.
Judging by quotations from the Tageblatt, the majority party is now clinging to President Wilson as the only peace apostle left in the world, which is somewhat incongruous with the many insults heaped on the President's head in this respect.
MOB BUDAPEST AUSTRIANS.
Palace of Delegation Stormed and Escutcheons Torn Down.
BASLE, Nov. 10.—The palace of the Austrian delegation at Budapest has been stormed by a mob, which threw down the Austrian escutcheons, according to a Vienna dispatch received here.
Railroads Won't Pay Excise Taxes.
Special to The New York Times.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 10.—Beginning with Ohio, railroads all over the United States are expected to object to the payment of State excise taxes so long as the Federal Government continues to operate them. Notice already has been served in Ohio that no payment of taxes will be made. Ohio will test the matter in the courts.
CZECHOSLOVAKS ASK FOR TOBACCO FUND
Armies in Siberia Want America and Allied to Raise $100,000—Now Smoke Substitutes.
By CARL W. ACKERMAN.
Copyright, 1918, by The New York Times Company.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
NEAR TOMSK, Siberia, Nov. 10, (Via Vladivostok,)—The people of the United States and the allied nations are to have an opportunity to help the Czechoslovaks fighting in Siberia to raise a tobacco fund of $100,000. On behalf of the armies, General Gaida has telegraphed the Red Cross from headquarters:
"Faced by the great handicaps and hardships of a Siberian Winter, the Czechoslovak armies appeal to the generous people of the allied nations to send tobacco to our armies, which, while lacking many necessities and comforts of life, feel the shortage of tobacco most. I suggest that an Interallied Siberian Winter Tobacco Fund be started. Our armies will be happy if there is a generous response from all our allies."
Dr. Teuslor, American Red Cross representative, said that, while the Red Cross could not assume responsibility for the fund, tobacco could be purchased and the Red Cross would distribute it. Tobacco, to be useful, must come within a month, for the Czechoslovaks already have been forced to smoke substitutes made from herbs, dried cork, and a small percentage of tobacco.
Of the proposed fund, $75,000 is expected from the States, the rest from Japan, China, and the Philippines.
BOLSHEVIKI BLOW UP TRAIN
Six Killed and Eighteen Wounded, Guns and Munitions Destroyed.
HARBIN, Nov. 8, (Associated Press.)—It is reported that a train of forty-two cars carrying ammunition, grenades, and twelve Japanese guns, dispatched from Harbin recently for the Volga front, has been blown up between Irkutsk and Krasnovarsk.
One French officer, two French soldiers, and three Czechs were killed, while eighteen Czechs were wounded. Bolsheviki railroad men are charged with being responsible for the blowing up of the train.
WARNS LLOYD GEORGE OF WILSON'S "MISTAKE"
London Paper Sees Possibility of Grave Consequences in Result of General Election.
Copyright, 1918, by The New York Times Company.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
LONDON, Nov. 10.—Efforts made in the House of Commons to extract definite information respecting the Government's intentions relative to a general election failed to do more than to obtain from Bonar Law an assurance that the amount of time given by the Government to the subject was infinitesimal. Various speakers suggested that it was always the Prime Minister's prerogative to decide a question, and that Lloyd George would not be exceeding his privileges if he surprised even his colleagues.
One member of Parliament said that the date had not been fixed, that it hung on the events at the front. To the inquiry if the formula, "no armistice, no election," was correct, he replied that it was not, but that the converse was true: "If an armistice, then an election."
General opinion in the lobbies is that an election in December is a certainty.
Lloyd George is receiving some frank lectures from the Liberal press, which, with most of the provincial papers, is opposed to a snap election. The Westminster Gazette reinforces its arguments that "an election in these times is no mere matter of domestic politics; it will concern all our allies in the war, and may profoundly affect the course of international politics," by referring to what the Washington correspondent of The Morning Post describes as the mishap which has befallen President Wilson in the Congressional election:
"This first important reverse since he entered politics was due unquestionably to his ill-timed appeal to the country urging an election of a Democratic Congress and intimating that the Republicans ought not to be intrusted with the conduct of affairs."
The Westminster Gazette's comment is:
"Great men now and again make serious mistakes, and even President Wilson is human. Is our own Prime Minister quite sure he is not going to repeat the President#s mistake, or that the consequences may not be infinitely more serious to him and to the country than the corresponding consequences in America?"
Outside of political circles, the best opinion seems adverse to a general election, which may take place possibly to the thindering accompaniment of revolution in other countries, which may awaken echoes over here. There is a strong feeling that a Parliament elevated under existing conditions will not be thoroughly representative and consequently will have no mandate to give the real national verdict on the Government's handling of the reconstruction problems.
In that event, it is argued, Lloyd George might find success at the December election a panic victory. His confidence in his star is too full-bodied to be affected by timorous considerations of the more or less distant future.
IN DOUBT ABOUT CALL HERE.
Chicago Pastor invided to "Old First" Will Not Decide Yet.
Special to The New York Times.
CHICAGO, Nov. 10.—"Chicago will be given the benefit of the doubt in my decision about the offer of the First Presbyterian Church of New York," the Rev. John Timothy Stone told his congregation today in the Fourth Presbyterian Church. He said he would not make a decision until he had visited New York two weeks from now, and not until he had returned to Chicago and had time to think over the question.
"I received a call yesterday from a committee representing the First Church of New York," he said. "I had hoped I would not be pressed to make a decision. I want to treat you with the same frankness I did when I came here as pastor.
"The matter of remuneration has nothing to do with my decision. I will be taken care of whether I go or stay. I intend to preach in the New York church on Nov. 24, and will look over the situation. If there is the slightest doubt I will give the benefit of that doubt to Chicago."
TELLS PEOPLE TO THANK GOD
Critical Time Has Come, Says Cardinal Gibbons at Field Mass.
CAMP MEADE, Md., Nov. 10.—In a sermon today at a memorial mass celebrated in the field for soldiers of this camp who have died in battle, Cardinal Gibbons called on the people of the United States to thank God for the victory of the Allies and to ask Him for grace to "walk the ways of wisdom, obedience, and humanity."
The Cardinal said a critical time has now come, when the peoples of the Allies must use the fruits of victory to good advantage, and when the people of this country must unite behind the authorities.
He spoke from the steps of a field altar and above him was a large American flag. "We have conquered," he said, "because we believe that righteousness exalteth a nation and because we believe in justice and humanity."
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