The Evening Missourian

HAIG MAKES NEW ATTACK; GERMANS EVACUATE DOUAI

French and British Move Closer to St. Quentin and Now Hold Four Principal Roads From West and South to That City—Cut Communication Line to La Fere.

BRITISH GO BEYOND LENS

Douai, Which Teutons Prepare to Give Up, Has Been in Their Hands Since 1914, and Is One of Their Most Important Bases, Ten Miles Behind Hindenburg Line.

BY LOWELL MELLETT

(United Press Staff Correspondent)

ON THE BRITISH FRONT, Sept. 10 (1 p. m.)—The British forces below Epehy attacked at 5:15 o'clock this morning.

The assault was made on a front of 3,000 yards despite the rain which swept the battlefield and the mud which impeded operations. (Epehy is on the Hindenburg line a short distance south of Gouzeaucourt where the British attacked yesterday, winning important territory.)

British troops, like the French, are edging closer to St. Quentin. Outposts were reported established this morning near Fresnoy-le-Petit, three miles from the Hindenburg line.

British Are Beyond Lens.

By United Press.

LONDON, Sept. 10. The latest reports on the situation at Lens show that the British are astride and beyond the town, which is filled with gas and German machine gun nests.

French Push Toward St. Quentin.

By United Press.

PARIS, Sept. 10.—Striking toward St. Quentin from the south the French have captured Gibercourt, seven miles from the city, the War Office announced today.

The French are making progress in the direction of Hinacourt and Essigny-le-Grand, the statement said.

These towns are north of Gibercourt and on the way to St. Quentin.

"In the region of Nanteuil-la-Fosse, near the western flank of the Chemin-des-Dames, we repulsed two counter attacks," the statement said.

"In the Argonne and in the Vosges, enemy surprise attacks were repulsed."

Douai Being Evacuated.

By United Press.

AMSTERDAM, Sept. 10.—German war correspondents report that Douai is being evacuated, according to dispatches received here today.

Douai is one of the most important German bases in Northern France. It lies ten miles behind the Hindenburg line but the British have already crossed that defensive system and are six and a half miles from the city at the farthest point of their advance in that region.

Douai has been held by the Germans since their initial dash into France in 1914.

Allies Cut La Fere-St. Quentin Line.

BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMS

(United Press Staff Correspondent)

PARIS, Sept. 10 (4:10 p. m.)—The encircling of St. Quentin by the British and French armies continued this afternoon.

The four principal roads converging in the city from the west and south are in the possession of the Allies.

All communication between La Fere and St. Quentin has been cut.

German Counter Attacks Fail.

By United Press.

LONDON, Sept. 10.—British troops advanced south of Havrincourt during the night, Field Marshal Haig reported today.

"Yesterday the enemy counter attacked on the positions gained in the morning west of Gouzeaucourt, and was completely repulsed.

We made progress northeast of Neuve Chapelle and west and north of Armentieres."

Lose Minor Sections, Germans Say.

By United Press.

BERLIN (via London), Sept. 10.—

Minor sections of the German trenches in Flanders have been taken by the British, the War Office announced today.

British attacks against Gouzeaucourt and Epehy were repulsed, the statement said.