The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-23
Extremely Violent Attacks.

Extremely Violent Attacks.
PARIS, July 23.-Extremely violent
attacks were again launched by the
| Germans against the French lines
about eCraonne last night.
! The war office today announced
| that the enemy penetrated French
| first line positions on Craonne pla-
teau Later they were driven out by
| strong counter attacks, except from
positions held on a small portion of
I'Calffornie plateau.
| The fighting lasted until late in
the night, the official statement said.
The Germans returned to the attack
after being driven from the trenches
first captured but were unable to
dislodge the French forces.
Five Days Wasted.
[By Henry God, United Press Staff
Correspondent
WITH THE FRENCH ARMIES IN
THE FIELD. July 23.-Germany has
found the Chemin Des Danes another
Verdun.
To today, FIVE days Of continuous.
herculean assault by the crown
princes troops have brought them
nothing except losses unequalled by
the German troops since an attack on
Vaux. in April, 1916. From the view
point OF quantity OF effectiveness en-
ployed, the endless succession OF the
ferceness of the twenty-four
hour a day fighting, and the German
losses, the Chemin Des Danes hight
ing has not been equalled since that
Verdun campaign around Vaux.
The unyielding resistance Of the
French must also have brought just as
bitter reflections to the Germans as
they felt at Verdun. There is every
indication that the enemy staged itss
assault on Craonne, the California,
Cerny and Bray with the
idea that the crown prince would be
able to telegraph the reichstag by
Thursday the news of great vic
tory" on the western front.
The German militarists figured that !
a victory report would strengthen |
ment and result in an immediate vote
On the war credit bill.
Prisoners examined today revealed |
his scheme. They said the attack |
had been planned early in the week |
but was delayed until the day the
-eichstag met for consideration OF the
war credit bill In the meantime spe-
,ial picked "stosstruppen" were |
brought up to make "the victory
loudly secure The Germans includ-
ed IN these picked troops, the crack
fifth division OF the Prussian guard, |
whose famous Queen Elizabeth gren-
ade company, incidentally, was prac-
tcally wiped out by French bombers
In the fighting that followed.
The German assault was launched
at 7:10 a. N. Thursday morning. Great
masses Of troops were thrown for
ward. The density Of the attackers
was so great that on one section OF
width (about two thirds of
a mile) four complete regiments par
ticipated Approximately eight thous-
and men).
When the first waves Of the German
troops melted away there were always
fresh waves to dash forward. Regt-
ment after regiment was sent to the
slaughter until 1920 at night. Then
came an artillery preparation succeed
ed in the darkness by a new and gi-
new waves in hand to hand battle that
lasted throughout the night. The
check to the crown princes plans was
complete.
But the German commanders per-
sisted. Daily and nightly attacks are
even today along the en-
tire Chemin Des Danes front.
The reason for these supreme eff
forts is easily appreciated when it is
that unless the enemy re-
takes Chemin Des Danes before the
next strategic retreat" they must |
%lo tho nrica1poS
on this highway From |
these dominant positions the French !
would be able to see the details of |
such a retreat. 1t would be fatal to !
undertake such move in plain view. |
This same tactical plan explains the /.
endless German attacks around Mo-
crest, further to the east. |
The French there dominate the entire I
plain of northern Champagne. II is |
here the Germans must eventually fall t.
back.
Fighting In Egypt.
LONDON, July 23.-Resumptfon of !
active fighting in Palestine, around I
forty miles distant from
Jerusalem, was recounted in report
from Egyptian headquarters today.
German OHicidi Report.
BERLIN, (via London) July %
Germany's troops today reached the
heights west of Tarnapol while her
troops swept across the
Ostrow railway line and
moved upward on both sides of the
Dniester river, today's official report
said The Russians south of the
Sereth river retreated into the Car,
pathians.
South OF Smorgon as far as Krevo, |,
the Russians penetrated our lines at
isolated places" the war Office state
nent continued. But vigorous coun-
Ter attacks restored our positions.
This morning the Russians renewed
heir attacks on wide front south ,
If Smorgon, but they were stopped /,
lnder our fire."
Today's War Map.
vnDH T,,l,, MI.