Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-07-01

happened across the channel in France
as far south as the river Somme at $50
this morning. Only three hours had
elapsed between the crash of British
and German under the screaming of
great shells and time the news had
reached London.
r CAN the horizon beyond the ground
where the enemy stood today was dark
ened by the fumes of shells" wired
the Chronicle Is correspondent. "Not
minute passed without the crash of high
explosives.
Raids that followed this shell fire
at many points of the line killed many
of the enemy and brought forth suf.
ficient prisoners for the Identification
of the regiments and divisions con.
fronting the British. The effect of the
British military work on the German
troops seems to have been deadly. Some
prisoners say they have had no food
for three days, owing to the heavy fire,
which prevented supplies reaching them
from communicating trenches.
A semi-official statement issued at 5
o clock this afternoon announced that
the British have captured the village
of Serre, II miles southwest of Arras
and the village of MOntauban, six
miles east of Albert.
French troops have captured the vii.
lage of Curlu, seven miles southeast
of Albert and the Sayier wood ad-
vancing for q distance of mile and
one-fifth.
Fighting is going OF at the village of
Mammetz, six miles east of Albert. and
at the village of COntaimaisOn. four
miles northwest of Albert. The French
hold the eastern part of the village of
ContalmaisOn
The semi-official statement reveal
ing for the first time the exact scene
of operations, shows that the Anglo.
French advance reached its greatest
depth along a thirteen mile front ex-
tending from point north of Albert to
point southeast of that village. The
AnglO-French forces are driving east
ward in the general direction of Cam.
brai The semi-offieial announcement
indicates that the advances already ex-
tend beyond the capture of German for
ward trenches announced in an earlier
statement from the war office.
Fiercest Fighting of the War
Paris, July 1.-The German crown
prince has resumed the drive on Yer
dun with most powerful attacks on both
banks of the Meuse, the war office an.
nounced today. The most violent fight.
ing in many weeks has developed on
the northwest sectors of the fortress.
In series Of terrific attacks west
of the Meuse the Germans captured a
fortified work and elements of connect.
ing trenches in fighting east of Hill 304.
French counter attacks later regained
all the lost ground.
East of the ATeuse, the Germans again
penetrated Thiaumont works. which was
recaptured by the French Yesterday
The redoubt itself was entirely smashed
in by terrific artillery fire The French
retain the outskirts.
The French official statement. if is
to be noted, is silent on the operations
near the Somme, where French and Bri.
tish armies have been launching pi.
gantic offensive.
| The Germans resumed the attack on
the west bank of the Meuse toward ev
ening last night. The entire region
east and west of Hill 3Q4 became the
scene of the bloodiest fighting.
Attacks Are Terrific.
The Germans launched four different
attacks The first, preceded by LIQUID
fire, was directed against a French sec
tor between Hill 304 and the Esnes
Haucourt road. This onslaught was re
pulsed, the Germans losing heavily.
In the second attack the enemy
swarmed forward in compact masse, at
tempting to carry French positions west
of the Esnes- -HaucOurt Highway. Thi,
attack also was repulsed.
After a brief respite, marked onIy
by intense cannonading the German.
/ directed most powerful thrust against
/ the French lines east of Hill 3O4. If wa,
IN this fighting that the enemy can
twed the French fortified work whici
was LATER taken.
Early this morning the German,
launched the fourth attack against tn,
AvocoWt redoubt. This attack wa,
speedily stopped by French fire.
East of the Meuse, the battle that ha,
ragged increasingly for two days for pos
session of the Thiaumont work con
tinued throughout last night. Deter
mined to take the position at any cost
the Germans directed heavy ASSAULT
last night after battering in the redoub
with heavy shells The French wer,
finally driven out of the main portion
OF the position, retaining the out
skirts.
Break German Front,
London, July British troopg bav,
brokpu tbo Cor,,o,. el.,...1 \