The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1916-07-18
Easy Gain Over Germans In
France, Critical Russo German
Situation and New Slav Drive
In Asia Are Big War Features
ENTENTE ALLIES JOIN
THEIR LINES IN WEST
French and Ieutons Engage In
Furious Fighting With Small
Result While In East 0ttomans
Press Teutons All Along Front
. tAssOciAssd Pres. by Federal wireless,

Associated Press by Federal wireleSs) :
T oND0N, July l5--An unexpectedly
l. easy advance made by the British
in their attack on the German
lines today, critical situation in the
battle between, the Russian and German
forces at the StOkhod river, where the
Germans are trying TO stop the Rus
sian advance towards Kovel, and new
Russian offensive in Asiatic Turkey, are
the features Of yesterdays war news.
The British advanced for mile en-
a four-mile frontage, after tine short.
est preliminary bombardmsnt that has
preceded any substantial advance sinco
the trench warfare began. They cap
tured several important positions on the
Germans second line Of defenses. '
German Forces Reduced -"
The rapidity and ease of the advance
Is taken to mean that the German
forces have been reduced at the points
attacked, though there were desperate
Iecunter attacks. According to the re-
ports from Sir Douglas Haig, all these
attacks failed.
The strategic Importance nj the posi-
tons taken hes in their strengthening
out of the Allies lines, bringing tie
British positions in the advance ur to
| those of the French, who hitherto have
been advancing faster than the Brit.
ish. = The losses in the advance were
small compared to those which have
Been sustained in previous attacks Of
this nature. - 4
Severe Ffghttng At sommo ~"'rr.',
On the French portion of the lines,
there was severe fighting n both sides
of the River Somme. Berlin repnrts
the most furious bombardments, and
says that it is regarded as possible
that the Allies are preparing Tar an
other immediate drive along all the
West end battlehne.
| French assaults yesterday were con-
fined to portion of the Verdun sector,
| where they took the offensive without
| making any important gains.
/ The Overseas News Agency sent
report from Berlin denying that any
troops had been withdrawn from in
fornt of Verdun, to reinforce the Ger
mans who are resisting the attacks at
the SOmme.
Germans Make Violent Attack
The Germans made a violent attack
on the French positions north of the Ais
! ne, but were repulsed with large losses
Heavy artillery contests continue, and
it is thought possible that Teutouic
offensive may be attempted ut this
point.
At the StOkhod river one of the great
battles of the war has developed. The
Russian advance remains checked for
the time being Petrograd reports the
battle us continuing with the issue in
the balance. Upon the result depends
Russia 5 chances to take Kovel, a posi-
ton which the military experts say
Germany cannot afford to allow her to
| occupy, if the German armies are TO re-
tain, their positions in the north, where
their line reaches to Riga.
Russians Advance in Force
The Germans have withstOod wave
after wave of assaulting Russian infan.
TRY, but the attacks keep on. General
Brussiloff is throwing increasing mum
beers into the battleline and Field Mar
shall Won Linsingen is rushing German
reinforcements to resist the advance,
increasing the magnitude of a battle
that is critical in the Russian cam
paign.
In the Caucasus the Russians report
new successes and they are making
quick advances. In the region of FIR.
zerum they have recovered from the
cheek given them by the Turks recent
Fly and are beginning a new offensive.
The Grand Duke Nicholas army, rein.
forced, is making extensive prepare
lions at Erzerum and Baiburt, seventy
miles northwest of ETzerum. for an
other assault on the Turkish lines, with
Bagdad as the objective point.
Petrograd further reports n capture
of 5000 more prisoners. at the Stripa
river. First reports Of the day were
lnf heavy Russian attack which was
renulssd, then of German attnck
which was met with such force that
the attacking army was partially env"-
loped. and 5000 of them had to sur
render.
Near Buczac the Russians made an
other, attack. They succeeded in en-
| tering the first hne trenches Of Won
Bothmer's army. but were driven back
| it'll heavy losses.