The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-06-01
RAIDS IMPROVE
POSITIONS OF
PETAIN'S men
Are Maintaining Offensive
With Smaller Losses
Than They Infiict
GERMANS SHOW
NERVOUSNESS
French Aviator Makes Won
derful Record-Belgian
Towns Bombed
ASSOCIATED Press War summary

ASSOCIATED Press War Summary
Dispatches from the front in France
today indicate a renewal of the often
sive against the Germans there as soon
as the moment is considered ripe for
an attack.
The French are In more advantage
Gus positions now than when they be-
gan their offensive in April and are
stilE further improving them.
one OF the minor operations was car
ried out last night when a German
post near Craonne was captured.
The British. on their front to the
north, are again reporting gains after
a period in which only raiding opera
tions were attempted. The advance
was scored in the region OF Cherisy be-
tween Croisilles and the Arras-
Cambria road. In one of their big at
tacks during the height of the Arraa
battle British troops were reported as
having reached Cherisy. but were not
able to hold 1t at the time. They now
have pushed forward again little to
the west Of the town.
The gravity of the situation in Spain
Is emphasized again today by the news
OF disorders in Barcelona in which
troops participated.
Three American sailing vessels have
fallen victims to submarine attacks.
All the members Of the crew were
saved with the exception OF one man
who was drowned.
Prisoners Number 3t,s29.
On the French front in France, June
1.--From q STAFF correspondent of The
Associated Press-Between April t5
and May "a the number of German
prisoners falling into French hands
reached total of 31,S29 Of whom 2s,-
O45 were unwounded. This period
covers three phases OF the general at
tack now temporarily abated, which
the French undoubtedly will continue
at the proper moment.
As a result of the successful attack
the French now possess the Initiative
and occupy more Important positions
than when they began the forward
movement In April. Artillery .dueis
continue increasingly. Thus far the
French have regained many portions
taken from them and in some places
have bitten further into the Ger
man lines.
The Germans are showing great
nervousness as to what is about TO
happen and the slightest movement in
the French lines causes a vast hurri-
cane of artillery fire. The absolute
confidence of the French in their
superiority is seen in the manner in
which they move over intervening
grounds in attack. The tactics now
minimum losses. This was demonstrat-
ed for instance in recent raid in a
range OF hills south of Chereus. A
small corps Of French infantry advanc-
ed to straighten the line, severe artil-
lery operations preceding them. The
infantry gained the objective and took
thirty prisoners in addition 70
killing a number of Germans. Later
1t was discovered French shells had
battered the German shelter covers 80
thoroughly that six full German COM
panies crouching in the shelters while
waiting to counter attack had been
killed to the last man. The place was
a shamble. The total French loss in
this affair amounted to only twenty
seven killed or wounded.
The proportion applies to only one
corner Of the battlefield for in other
places the French encountered DIM
culties which held them back for a
period, entailing much severe lighting
with consequent heavy casualties. Close
observations by the correspondent of
the whole fighting from Scissors TO
Auberive have shown clearly that the
French casualties are lower than the
German, and as the French every
where gained ana held the objective
aimed at they are in a good position
TO ascertain the enemy losses.
French Ace Makes Great Record.
Paris, June I.--Capt. George Gyns-
mer, most famous of all French army
aviators, has brought down five more
German machines two of them in one
He is now credited with de-
stroying 43 enemy machines. French
airmen brought down SO German ma
cines and 81 were damaged between
May II and May 81.
Naval Battle Imminent.
Copenhagen, via London. June L.
German newspapers are printing an
article on the naval battle Of the Skag-
gerrak, the impression being expressed
that another battle is imminent The
articles are intended TO arouse en-
for subscription for families
Of men lost in submarine warfare.
Belgian Towns Bombed.
London, June MANY tons OF
bombs have been dropped by British
aircraft on the Belgian towns of Ost-
snde, Zeebrugge and Bruggess, says an