Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-01

London, July 1.-After weeks Of In
tense fighting with guns OF every cali
Der firing q million shells daily, the
British early today launched a general
offensive against the German lines
along front Of twenty miles north Of
the river somme. They succeeded in
taking the German front line trenches
and many men.
The French on the British right CO.
operated in the attack. When the last
messages received left British head
quarters the lighting was still going on
and further successes. It was said. we're
being recorded. y ii
The front selected for the offsnatve
j was decided on many weeks ago and
the bombardment Of tho rest Of the
line as well as the frequent raids
which procured for British headquar-
ters important information as to the
dispositions OF the Germans was de-
signed to keep the German generals
uncertain as to the points at which
they would be called on to meet the
brunt Of the. attack.
Offensive Long Heralded.
This is the first time since the war
began that the intentions of an army
to undertake an offensive-has been so
well advertised. A week ago when
the German attack against Verdun be-
gan to make headway and it was
feared the army Of the German crown
prince was getting in a district Of
Verdun which was dangerous for the
allies, the British guns began to speak.
the hnnrs whAN
British infantry were raiding German
trenches, a continual bombardment has
been kept up,
Big Guns Pave Way.
Batteries, which now are innumera-
Bile, took turns at smashing the Ger
man defense, destroying communica-
ton trenches and blowing up ammuni-
ton depots. New trench mortars, par
ticularly destructive, tore away the
wire entanglements, broke down para
pets and generally opened the way for
men with rifles and bayonets. Big
guns of fifteen inches and other large
caliber prevented the Germans from
breaking up their forces, which
wrecked all within range.
Fiercest Artillery Battle.
The artillery fire was particularly
intense on stretch Of the front north
of the SoFnme. and earlier messages
told Of the destruction of the towns OF
Thiepval and Beaucourt, where the
Germans had concentrated ammuni-
ton. Early today more guns were
brought into action on this twenty
mile sector, and for an hour and half
the Germans were subjected to a bonn
bardment which Is described best a.
4 tne 6ercest experience in this war Of
heavy artillery.
To Cost Many Men,.
This morning the correspondents at
the front Tor British papers, while
writing OF the artillery and raiding
successes, warned the public that an
advance must be made by infantry and
not by artillery and that the British
army could not expect to come out OF
the fight scathless. First accounts Of
the battle state that the British deaths
were not heavy.
The news spread thruout London like
wildfire. There was frantic rush to
obtain special editions of the evening
papers. .,.
Travel curtailed.
The war office announced that the
+ necessary passenger traffic between
Great Britain and the continent would
be regulated closely and reduced as
much as possible. Only those having
!. serious reasons are permitted to travel.
Allies Gain on All Fronts.
The allies are now on the offensive
in practically every field Of the war.
The British assault comes on the heels
Of the successes won by the Russians
IA Galicia and Bukowii1a and are still
going on. On the Italian front the
central powers have met with reverses,
and for many days the Italians have
been driving the Austrians from posi-
ton after position in the Trentino.
The defense also Of Verdun by the
French appears TO have s.iefened and
the balance of battle in that bitterly
contested sector appears recently to
have swayed In favor Of the defenders.
The only front in the whole theater
OF the world war where comparative
ouiat reixus today y in the Dalkaus.