The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-08-18
British and French Have Been
Throwing Back German
Counter Attacks in
Flanders.
IN FULL FORCE NOW
Teuton Official Statement Not True,
Showing Effort to Con-
sceaI the Real
Situation.

UNITED Press Leased Wire Serv1ce.J
LONDON, Aug. 1S.-For the third
day, German troops continued throw
ing masses of men against the newly
won British positions near Lens to-
day.
All counter attacks were again
completely repulsed after sharp fight
ing, Field Marshal Haig reported.
A few prisoners were taken, the
British commander reported.
ITO the northwest of Lens early
this morning the enemy again coun-
ter attacked our new positions" !"
Haigs statement said. 'fThey were
completely repulsed after sharp fight.
ing. A few prisoners were taken
here and northwest Of Ypres.
There was considerable artillery
ing during the night"
"The full force Of the British and
French drive in Flanders may be de-
termined within the next twenty-four
hours"
Aside from German counter attacks
which have been repulsed, there has
been a let up In fighting on this
sector
Positions beyond Langemarck have
been consolidated by the British while
the French have made secure their
new ground beyond Steenbeck.
Continuation Of the general assault
will mark the offensive as an effort
second In power only to that Of the
Somme.
England found great satisfaction In
the fact that Berlin found It neces-
sary to put out false statements in
it's official wireless statement yester-
day. At the time the Germans were
claiming the recapture Of Lange-
marck, British staff officers were in
the town inspecting the newly won
English positions. Berlin also sought
to create the belief that the British
attack was over a much wider front
than was the case. Official denial
was made of all statements from Ber-
lin concerning the developm ents in
Flanders
The French are keeping step with
the British in the Flanders thrust.
The French dine is beyond Bfxschoote
running from the flooded area north
of Lizerne, across the Steenbeck, to
a point about mid-distance between
Bixschoete and Langemarck. The
pollus are playing more prominent
part in the present FLANDERS battle
than in any ether engagement in this
region for some time, though they
have had this section Of the Flanders
line since It was established. The
presence Of the French in this region
Is largely for sentimental and politi-
cal purposes. Looking to the day
when the German line might be
broken and swung back, as the first
step toward liberation Of Belgium, it
Is desired that French troops have a
part in the operations.
Another Air Raid.
LONDON, Aug. 1S.-Many tons Of
bombs we're dropped on German mill
tary establishments in Belgium during
another raid by British naval aero
planes, the admiralty announced to-
day.
Thorout railway station was raided
Thursday night. The statement said.
Fires were observed in the ammuni-
ton camp and the railway was hit
and damaged. The British machines
returned safely.
A clash at Sea.
LONDON, Aug. 1S.--An engagem ent
between British and German scouting
ships, in which one German destroyer
and several mine sweepers were dam
aged was reported by the admiralty
today.
The biggest type OF British vessels
engaged in scout work took part in
the fight. when they came upon the en-
emy. The British opened fire on the
German destroyer damaging her, out
she escaped as did the mine sweepers
the destroyer was conveying. Several
of the latter were damaged.
German submarines were also en-.
HContinued on mage "a