The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-06-29

grip on dominating positions below
Laon. Cerny is located on the Chemin
Des Danes, about seven miles due
south OF Laon. Earlier in the week
the Germans began a general counter
offensive movement in this same sec
tor, but their attacks on this occa-
sion were directed further to the
west, around yauxhaillon and Fillain.
Hill 3O4 in the Mouse (verdun,
sector has been the center of bloody
fighting in previous offensiyes and
counter offensives in the Verdun
fighting.1
Germany Admits Defeat.
BERLIN, June 30. (via London.)---
Admission that after bitter hand
to hand battle, the English occupied
the foremost line of our defenses be-
tween Oppy and Gavrelle windmill, !"
was made by the German official
statement today.
'.We fought splendidly," the war
office declared, land inflicted severe
losses on the enemy during our well
co-operated defense, as we were
fighting man to man.
Between Hulluch and Mericourt,
from Fresnoy as far as Gavrelle
there were enemy attacks. Near
Hulluch, between the Loos-Lens-
Slievin road, the enemy was repulsed.
West Of Lens fresh enemy attack
was prevented from developing.
SIN the salient west and southwest
of Lens, a section relinquished as a
fighting zone for long time previous
ly, an enemy attack early this morn
ing blasted the road leading to Ar
ras."
Sweeping Victory Over French.
BERLIN, June 20. (Via London -
Sweeping victories were gained over
French troops around Cerny and Nal
aucourt, todays official statement de-
clared.
East of Cerny French position
(three-quarters of a mfle) in width,
including strongly defended tunnel,
was stormed and held against Wig
orous counter attacks the war Of
flee asserted.
, West of the Meuse, by a strong
rush French position was captured
on both sides of the Malaucourt-
Esnes road-the position being $500
meters (nearly two miles) wide by
500 meters (about one-third of a
mile) Deep"
Striving for Peace.
! AMSTERDAM, June 29.-Emperor
ICharles told representatives Of eight
rAustrian political parties that he
| was striving for peace at the earliest
possible date, according to a report
received this afternoon from Vienna
Battle in Storm.
BY VIM. Philip Stmms. United Press
Staff Correspondent
WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES IN
THE FIELD, June 29.-In a battle
where the roar of thunder was indis-
tinguishable from incessant cannon
aiding. the British achieved their lat
est advance southwest of Lens.
1t was just at dark Thursday. From
an elevation just back of the Can
adam troops, watched the battle be-
gin and end.
A black storm cloud came up from
the west about six. The storm broke
in midsummer fury few moments
later. For an hour there was the play
of vivid lightning in the darkened
skies. vying with the flashes of big
guns, while the crash of thunder
of steel loosed from the Threats Of the
guns.
It was to the accompaniment Of this
roar In the heavens and on the earth
in deluge of rain that the tom
mics stormed the German positions
on the outskirts Of Lens and on the
plains to the south.
Aeroplanes up above defed the
jagged forks Of lightning that shot.
perilously through the dripping
clouds, signaling back artillery
ranges and the disposition OF the
German defenders.
The British completed their victory
before it grew pitch dark. They ad-
vanced an average of five hundred
yards along a front of two miles.
Some 200 prisoners and six machine
guns were reported captured in COM
plete headquarters reports today.
At the time this is cabled the Brit
ish are still advancing. They have
gone more than half way through
Avion They have pushed their lines
still further southeast of the city. In
all this movement the Germans have
not tried to carry out single counter
attack They have left the British
to consolidate every gain without a
stroke in reprisal for the losses they
suffered.
CLOSING SCENES