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

was occupying military strategists
today-the fall of the city being &C
cepted as a foregone conclusion. 1t
was conceded there will probably be
some desperate fighting, prolonged
over number Of days before the
coal metropolis succumbs to the Brit
ish attacks. but reports today of fur
Their bites" into the Teutons' posi-
lions west and south in the suburbs
of the city indicated steady progress.
The belief here is that with Lens
gone, Field Marshal Hindenburg will
stage another retreat to prepared
positions" along line running rough
.ly from Zonnebeke (ffteen miles
north Of Lille) down to in front of
Lille; thence to Carvin and connect
ing with the famous Drocourt Switch
line in front of Douai, Cambria and
st. Quentin.
From the Drocourt line south the
Germans would continue over prac-
tically their present front.
The suggested German withdrawal
to the north, however. would. it was
estimated, release more than $50
square miles of Belgian and French
territory to the allies The retreat
would probably be explained away to
the German people on the excuse
that it would "straighten out the
German line" 1t would, without a
doubt, since the lines above Lens
have been broken by the British
assaults of vimy ridge and of Mes
sines into an exceedingly jagged \
series of twists.
Lens was reported today practi-
90 Nv in No
scheme of destruction and of the
shells from the fighting forces.
Ordinarily it is city of $4,000
population. 1t is in the center OF
one of the richest coal fields of
hundred square miles Of mines, which
tons of fuel a year.
France as well as Italy, is direly
in need of coal SO that victory at
Lens would not only be a potent
moral one. but likewise most valu-
able in relieving the shortage in fuel.
French Official Report.
PARIS, June 29--What was appar-
emily another attempt at general
counter offensive was struck in heavy
blows by the Germans on the right
bank of the Mouse and along the
Aisne front today. The French ,ofi-
cial statement declared all attacks
failed.
ION the Aisne front at night, in
the region Of Cerny, southeast Of
Corbeny and northwest of Rheims,
there was a violent enemy lombard
ment followed by heavy attacks"
the statement asserted.
Cali were broken up in our fire
and by counter attack our positions
were maintained.
"In the region of Cerny the !
struggle was of the most desperate
character. In several attacks at two !
points northwest of the village a few |
of the enemy gained footing on our |
first line, but were driven out, leav- /
ing many dead and prisoners.
con the right bank of the Mouse |
on Thursday afternoon an artillery |
struggle of extreme violence devel- |
oped in the region of Avoncourt wood |
and Hill 304. Heavy caliber gun fire |
was followed at $50 p M, by a |
powerful enemy attack, including a |
special assault by troops on a front |
of about a mile and a quarter west !
of Hill 304
"Our powerful fire disorganized |
this attack, which at some points
penetrated our fire line. A heavy
new attack at 3:45 a. M, east Of |
Hill 304 was completely repulsed"
1.-THE Aishe front attack is another
chapter to the German efforts of the
past ten days to loosen the French J.