Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-06-21

nounced today.
Berlin, June 18.-Fresh engagements
between British INT German forces de-
veloped early today in the Bullecourt
region and east of Monchy. German
army headquarters staff announced to-
day.
British troops are striking along
almost the entire line they hold in
northern France, not with the terrific
force which marked the victories OF
Arras and Messines, but in a more or
less tentative manner, giving weight to
the belief that Field Marshal Haig is
preparing TO launch a mighty blow on
a hitherto unprecedented scale.
Two features of the fighting stand
out with sharp significance:
The first is tie feebleness with which
the Germans are reacting and the sec
ond is the surprising promptness with
which Berlin admits retirements in
various sectors.
New Retreat to Victory"
There is considerable evidence that
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg is
planning another great withdrawal and
that Field Marshal Haig is pressing
him at ali points in the hope of deliv-
ering a SCATTERING blow if such a sec
ond retreat to victory materializes.
The Italians having successfully
maintained their advance in the face
of the most formidable Austrian coun-
ter attacks, are apparently preparing
for a resumption of their offensive.
Vienna reports that the Italian guns
have opened with the greatest violence
in Carinthia.
Field Marshal Haig again attacked
the Hindenhurg line, and captured a
section of the famous German line
northwest of Bullecourt.
n British advance in this region is
the first determined one made there
since the enc of the ~sanguinary fighting
which resulted in the capture of the
town of Bullecourt. The Germans re
sisted the British stubbornly. suffering
heavy casualties according to the Lon
don war office.
FRENCH ACTIVITY RENEWED.
raiding and in some section heavy ar
tillery firing has been reported east
of Rheims. The French forces are re-
ported to have penetrated the German
trenches, taking a number of trenches.
In the Cranne, west of Mt. Cernillet,
violent artillery fire is going on, it is
reported. On the heights near the
Huese German raids have been re-
pulsed.
BERLIN EXPECTS FRENCH BLOW.
Copenhagen, June 18.-Representa-
tives Of the German press were told
yesterday at the regular weekly press
conference in Berlin, that the arrival
Of American troops in noteworthy num-
bers in the European theater was to be
expected only in 1918. The general staff
lecturer also took the ground that the
American forces should be treated as a
negligible quantity in the general reck-
oning, owing to the difficulties Of
finding sufficient tonnage for Transport
tation and supplies. The suggestion was
followed in numerous articles in the
newspapers yesterday and his morn
ing.
Russ Out Of Il.
The newspaper representatives also
were told that a new Russian offensive
vas highly improbable, but that artil-
lery and aviation activity and recon-.
noitering raids indicated a new French
offensive was in preparation. Tia
British also were certain to try their
fortune again, but no surprises in often
siye methods were expected from either
the French or the British and the only
variant from the earlier offensives
would be a change of geographical loca-
ton.
Germany's situation was described as
absolutely secure n German victory
as certain owing to the relentless work
ing of the submarine. Heavy estimates
Of French and British losses were SUD-
piled to furnish announcement to the
readers.
Allied Loss 625,ooo.
"England's losses in so days of the
spring offensive were placed at 225,O0O
lnxn from "a divisions engaged. The
same proportion was applied to ~
French divisions, producing. an esti-
mate OF French losses OF more than
400. 900.
The correspondents were told that
the purpose of the air raids on England
was. to keep.i In the islands trained men,
OF the aerial corps and guns for de-
tense and that the submarine warfare
also served to weaken the British Of
fensive by keeping from the front men
and gums required to arm merchant.