The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-06-14
THE EUROPEAN WAR.

Last week closed with nolapie
gains for the forces Of the Ali all
along the western battlefront. The
British accomplished sweeping VIC
tory over the enemy in Belgium, TAX
ing positions of strategetic import
ance, those being the Messines..
Wytschaete ridge and number OIL |
villages. This ridge. long held by the
Germans, and from which they nave
been enabled to overlook the lines OF |
the English, is much coveted, ana tbs |
preparations for this attack were Ions,
drawn out and carefully executed.
The Germans were expecting an at
tack in this neighborhood, but moth
ing, so said, approaching the in1nlen-
sity of that planned and carried out.
For some days the English had d.
rected the fire of their big guns upon
the lines of the enemy in that section,
having hurled tons of steel upon
them, and, at the break of day last
Thursday morning, the hour fixed
upon for the general attack end
charge, mines containing one million
pounds of high explosives were set
off under the front CT their lines.
The detonation of this explosion is
said to have been heard in England,
100 miles away. It's destructive ef-|
feet was as planned, for the time
greatly demoralizing the German
troops and their counter attacks that
soon followed are described as being
rather feeble. 1t is gratifying to
note that the English have been sue
cessful in holding the positions thus
gained, and their achievements of the
past week would seem to again indi-
cate their bulldog tenacity in battle,
even if it may be said that they are
slow in preparation. About 400O
| German prisoners were taken.
Many miles further south along
this line were reported the successes
of the French, and that they repulsed
the counter attacks made.
| The Italians. with nun erous and
disheartening obstacles tc overcome,
as usual, made some progress and are
fighting desperately.
The Russian situation was reported
more encouraging. At great meet
ing of the peasantry the army of that
| vast but distorted nation was urged
to remain in the fight until the de-
feat of Germany has been accomp-
lished.
/ A large American transport, taking
nver food supplies for the United
States troops, reached France last
Thursday.
/ Gen. Pershing and staff and small
contingent of American soldiers
arrived in London Friday of last
week. Gen. Pershing ard Ambassa-
dor Page have since been the special
guests of King George and Queen
Mary at a luncheon at the palace:
ct this luncheon the King is credited
with having said that the present
rnion Of the two great English-speak-
ing nations fulfills dream Of his
life.
1t was reported last Friday that
iG0 American aviators from the Navy
, Flying Corps had reached France.
| According to Assistant Secretary
Vrooman of the Department of Agrl-
!. culture, there has already been much
suffering among the masses as a Re.
: suit of the speculation of food
{ pirates.
: It was announced Saturday that
the grand total of the army registra-
ton would be close to 100000.
, The first of this week it was an
: nounced that the Germans had
E allowed two full days to pass with
out again attempting to recapture
: the important positions lost to the
English in last Thursdays fighting.
The Provost Marshall General, with
] headquarters in Washington, has
ordered the immediate arrest Of 81
who proved "slackers" on the 9Th
The order was given out Monday.
, Secretary Daniels made the charge
. Monday that either traitor or
SPY has divulged important secret:
that were known only to the Navy
Department.
= Tuesday Sir Douglas Haig's forces
t penetrated the German front neal
! Messines, in Belgium, gaining nearl,
two miles of trenches. Addlti1na
gains by the English, other than thei
r big drive on the 7th, have been re
peatedly reported.
It has been announced that TIL
Russian Congress of Peasants has de
Y cided to cut off Kronstadt's food sup
e ply if it failed in Immediately com
: ing over to the side Of democracy
!, The lny.'ists in their first fightin.
= with the pacifists in that country hay
I been victorious. In fact, the lstes
e reports from Russia indicate that th
= troubles of the provisional govern
ment seem to be drawing to an enc
, and that she NAV still be counted O.
{, as factor in the great war.
; Under pressure Of the Allies, Kin
= Constantine Of Greece has abdicate
y Prince Alexander. 1t was cor
Ic ALc% Cro.,,, Dr;roo Coorr
might not succeed his father, bein
,, pro-German.
: The United States Steel Corpora
e ton has added $25,000,000 to it
II Liberty Loan Bond subscription an
It declared an extra dividend to enabl
= stockholders to share in the S100
= 100000 Red Cross fund.
The death toll as result Of Gel
" man air raid on London yesterda
ID was 81. Of this number So weT
= men, Is women and rs children
u Also, 437 others were wounded
" There were fifteen of the Germa
i airplares, which were attacked an
" put to route and one was shot dow
With $50 passengers aboard tn
$ French liner Sequana has been to-
I'd pedoed and sunk in the Atlantic. tt
~ loss of lives is said to total 1870.
r. Last weeks report shows an il
:. creased activity by the German [
" boats. Twenty-Five British me
re chantmen of 1900 tons or upwar
Of ten Of less tonnage, and six fishir
vessels were sunk.
j.
We It is said on good authority, tn;
). Chicago's garbage has decreas:
~ nearly 200 tons daily since the il
% auguration of the nationwide foe