26 OCTOBER 1918, Page 3

Further to the east the French and the Americans are

still fighting hard between the Upper Aisne and the Meuse. The Argonne Forest has been cleared, but in the wooded hills to the north and north-east the enemy in great force, estimated at thirty divisions, is offering a most stubborn resistance. As the Americans arc only fourteen miles from Montmedy and Longuyon, while the French are but twenty-four miles from Mezieres, on the main German line of retreat through Thionville or Metz, the enemy must check our Allies' progress in this region at all costs. Nevertheless, the French are well to the north of Grandpre, and the Americans are advancing steadily, if slowly, on both sides of the Meuse, towards Stenay.