The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-03-19
Nearly Five Hundred Square
Miles Of Territory Now Oc-
cupied by British and
French.
TOO HOT TO HOLD ON TO
Germans Withdraw Many Miles to
Escape Constant Hammerino
on Their Lines by
the Allies.
LBy Ed L. Keen, United Press Staff
Correspondents

IBy Ed L. Keen. United Press Staff
Correspondent
LONDON. March 19.--The greatest
occupancy Of territory by any bel
ligerent since the German sweep to-
ward the Marne, thrilled England to-
day. Allied forces this time are the
gamers. 1t is the German line that
has given away. Nearly five hundred
square miles OF territory between
the Arras sector and the river Disc
have been added to the allies hold
Iings.
Although there was general rejoic-
ing today over the success Of the al-
lies push. experts were inclined TO
kpnt t3e ooft - - "a the popular
tendency toward over-optfmism.
They pointed out that the German
retreat was not headlong flight,
but a methodical, systematic turning
back from untenable positions to
others doubtless long and carefully
prepared.
The retreat has undoubtedly been
accelerated by the allies unexpected
uperiority-unexpecte to the Ger
mans. They have surpris ed the en-
emy with the vigor of their pursuit
But the lack of reports OF any con-
siderable losses. Of men and mater
ials by the German indicate the with
drawal was far from disorderly
retreat
There was much guessing here to-
day as to the new line to which the
most favored by military experts was
La Fere and Soissons.
fheoryorc haro do nat f%fnk ho
Germans will permit the allies to
gain the approaches to the valleys of
the Sambre, Scheldt and Scarpe
without strenuously contesting their
advance.
Today the allies were systematical-
ly consolidating their lines and still
pressing steadily against the Ger
mans. On the whole front OF seventy
miles along which the great push
developed the gains, the British and
French forces have taken about sew
enty cities, towns and villages. At
some places the thrust forward has
carried the allied troops ten miles
into territory formally occupied by
the Germans.
One HUNDRED Towns Taken.
PARIS, March 19.-One hundred
towns and villages have been occupied
BY French troops in the last three
days of advance on the western front,
an official statement today asserted.
During the last three days French
troops have liberated a hundred vii
lagos in many localities which, prev
ious to the German flight, were devas-
tated odionsly and pillaged," the state
ment said.
g,.l--
the Germans were unable to take with
them in the flight cheered the victor
ious troops on their arrival.
East of the Disc German second
line positions were carried. To the
east Of Nestle. at several points
French troops have reached the
Nestle-Ham road.
North of Noyon, the French have
occupied Guiscard Cavalry has reach
ed the ST. Quentin national road
Around Verdun on Sunday evening
a violent German attack was stopped
short with French machine gun fire.
Between Avacourt and Dead Mans
Hill, German losses were heavy. In
their attacks they reached only ad-
vanced positions between Hill 303 and
the edge of Avocourt wood, from which
they were expelled after hand to hand
encounter"
Turks on the Run.
PTTROGR.AD, March 10. - The
Turks are retreating before the ad-
vance OF Russian forces, the official
statement regarding operations in
the south today stated. Russian
forces have occupied Harunabad.
The Turks were dislodged south Of
Bana mad are retiring toward Pen
ashevin.
Destroyer sunk.
LONDON, March 19.-Enemy de-