The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-07-14
General Sir Douglas Haig
Springs Surprise in Max
ing Attack.
LONDON WILD OVER NEWS
Russians and Germans Con-
tinue Desperate Struggle on
Banks Of the StOkhOd.
tur ASSOCIATED PRESS,

LONDON, July 14.-At daylight
his morning the British resuming the
offensive north of the Somme at
tackled the German second line de-
fenses and, according to the report OF
their commander, General Sir Doug
las Halg, succeeded in penetrating
them on front of four miles. Press
dispatches from the front add that
the villages Of Bazentin-le-Grand and
Longueval, north Of Montauban, and
the remaining portion of TrOnes wood
we're taken by the British.
Attack Unexpected.
While 1t was expected the British
would not allow any great length of
time to elapse before continuing their
operations, 1t was hardly believed the
second German line would be at
tackled after only one day Of artillery
preparation; for 1t was only on the
day before that the reported capture
Of the first line in the region between
Hardecourt and 0villers took place.
The direction of the attack was some
thing of a surprise for instead of
pushing on toward Combles General
Haig chose to attack the flank Of the
Germans, who faced Contamination
and Ovillers, and those who still oc-
cupled Pozieres. The advance to
Loneueval and Bazentin-le-Grand, II
accomplished, gives the British pos
session of other important roads run
ming in various directions which have
been great help to the Germans in
supplying their army directly south of
the Ancree river.
London Enthusiastic.
News of the British success was re-
ceived in London with the greatest
enthusiasm. 1t has given added
weight to the request of the govern
ment to workmen to forego the Aug
ust holidays SO that the army may
be kept well supplied with munitions.
The supplies already on hand must be
greater than was generally believed
else General Haig would not have
been able to continue his offensive
without an intermissQn.
There was no news this morning Of
important developments on the west
ern front but at last accounts the
French were preparing to resume
their offensive south of the Somme,
while the Germans were still ham
merlng at the defenses of Verdun.
The opinion is held in France, how
ever, that continuation Of the somme
battle will compel the Germans to
slacken their efforts at Verdun which
now have been in progress nearly five
months especially as the French esti
mate the Germans lost $4,000 men
n counter attacks on ContalmaIson.
Russians Checked at River.
The Russians have made no notice
able advance on any part of their
front since they gained the Stokhod
river where the struggle continues
desperately The right bank appar-
emily has now been cleared of Ger
mans but it Is not known here wheth-
er the crossings made by the Rus
slams have given them a firm foot
ing on the left bank. General Won
Bothmer, having received reinforce
ments, has succeeded In holding the
Russians in Galicia, but with Delatyn
In the hands of the Russians they pos
sess an advantage from which further
success is expected.
The operations in the Caucasus are
becoming more and more important.
After suffering heavy losses in the
counter offensive the Turks are now
being pressed back toward Burbart
and Erzignan, while in Persia the
Russians have brought up reinforce
ments to meet the Turks who drove
them from Kermanshah.