Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-07-04
What Is Characterised as "Great Offensive" Con-
 tinues Successfully.
TRENCH TROOPS
 CAPTURE PERONNE
British Take La BoisseIIe, Garrison Snrrendering Fighting Does Not Seem to Affect Verdnn Battle,
 Where Germans Attack in Force.

l.OluOl July o--JeItld al FOCIl , French troops, in conjunction with the British. in the great offensl.e in the Somme river region, have made notable gains in the direction of Pe rome, one of the most important slrategica points along that front. Successivcly they have taken Herbe- court, Feuireres and Flaucourt. and further to the south French infantry etOrmed and occupied Assevilliers. They followed this success by car rying the single line of German trenches as far as the outskirts Of Espres Then came the capture of Puscourt and Slaucourt. Something more than three miles was thus gain ed, which, added, to previous gains, gives the French troops clear ad- vance of about six miles, to within three miles of PeTonne.
 The British have captured La Bois- selle, where the fighting has been of the fercest character. The British also report substantial progress in some places and the repulse of many counter attacks by the Germans.
 German Artillery Fire Heavier.
 British troops, however, have been forced back from some of the posi- tions which they had taken early Monday, and it is evident that the German artillery fire has become much heavier.
 The prisoners taken by the British number 4,3OOO, while the French have captured 5000 or more. The h1, ho cludes seven batteries. three of large calibre, many machine guns and trench mortars.
 Other batteries in easements also fell into the hands of the French.
 Beyond admitting the withdrawal of division from their first line trenches on the Somme, the German official statement makes meagre ref orence to the battle now in progress.
 Verdun operations are slackening, although at certain points heavy bombardment is being carried out by atillery, while the infantry are rest ing. Aerial activity on both sides continues, hundreds of machines be- ing engaged in reconnoitering, di- recting the guns and fighting. In the trhee-day engament, the British have lost fifteen machines.
 The Russian war office reports the capture of 2,300 prisoners in the various sectors of the eastern front. There is heavy fighting on many points on the Russian front, and the Austrians have opened powerful of- fensive south Linewka anr west of Lntsk. They have inaugurated other cs, hut rGn ed
 The Italian offensive continues without cessation, both artillery and infantry being employed in strong force against the Austrians.
 British Hold Positions.
 London, July 3-The Franco British drive in France made con- tinued progress today Heavy fight ing is rvoceeding all '3long the line, the war office statement said esreci ally south of the Ancre river wher" the British maintain all their rosi tions. They 'havs captured LaPoiselle, the garrison of which surrendered and are fighting successfully around Ovillirs. and north of Fricourt.
 The French have captured He-be- court, Assevillers. Buscourt and slaucourt, and have made their sub stantial gains. taking prisoners and heavy guns. They arc making great progress in the direction Of Peronne, a little over three miles from Herbe- court.
 The non-committal character of the German official statement is taken in London as virtually confirmation of success of tha Anglo-French ope~a- tions. The Germans admit that the division of their forces, partly with drawn, now have been brought back to the second line.
 Great importance is attached to a newly invented mortar which played havoc with the Germaa trenches.
 Thus far the new offensive appears to have had little influence on the battle around Verdun. The Germans are still showing undiminished energy in the Mouse region, and the French