The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1917-06-29
CAPTURE OF LENS
MATTER OF HOURS
Coal Mining Center Of Franco
Virtually EnCirsled by
British Forces.
ARTILLERY DUELS CONTINUE
Austrianse Have Taken Initiative on
italian Front-Fightns on Austro-
Russ Line Lively.

HN~o G'HC GiNNhy
Washington, June 27.-The slow but
sure enlightenment Of Lens, the impor.
tant coal center held by the Germans
in the department Of Pas de Calais, is
in process of consummation by the
Canadians, according to official re-
ports from the front. Having already
during the present week captured i'm
portant vantage points west and south
west of the town, a fresh smash at
the German lines has been rewarded
by the occupation Of the village Of
La Coulotte, situated a mile to the
south.
With the British forces virtually en-
veloping the town, except on the east,
the Germans already have ceased the
mining of coal in the immediate vi
cinity of Lens, thereby seemingly in
dicating that they realize that their
tenure of the position is short lived.
Smelling Of Rheims Goes On.
The infantry activity in the region
between Scissors and Rheims has
given way entirely TO artillery duels
in the sector Of Moulin de Laffaux
and a continuance by the Germans of
the slow demolition Of Rheims, with
gunfire.
The Austrians have taken the initi-
alive from the Italians in the Asiago
plateau sector of the Austro-Italian
theater. Their objective is Monte Or
tigara but the Italians are %valiantly
holding them back and, according to
the latest Rome communication, have
inflicted heavy casualties on them.
The battle was still in progress when
the communication was forwarded.
Lively Austro-Russian Fighting.
Although no big engagement has yet
developed, lively fighting continues
between the Russians and Austro-Ger-
mans southwest of Lutsk in Volhynia.
and between the Stripa and Dniester
in Galicia. Nothing has come
through from either Petrograd or Der.
lin or Vienna TO show the extent of
these operations.
1t seems probable that, all other ef-
forts having failed, former Premier
Venizelos, a staunch supporter of the
entente, will form a new Greek cabi.
net. Unofficial advices are that at
he approaching session of the Greek
parliament a resolution will be intro
iuced favoring the entry of Greece
nto the war on the side Of the en-
British Make Important Gains.
Washington, June 26-Gradually the
orces of Field Marshal Sir Douglas
iaig are hemming in the town of
ems, the center of the great coal de-
osits in the department Of Pas de
'alais and from which, prior TO the
var, more than 5000, 600 tons of coal
we're annually exported.
successful raids carried out Sunday
light by the British gave them 400
of trenches in the woods at the
western outskirts Of the city, while
Mondays operations brought them fur.
progress along both banks of the
river on a front of about a
ME and a half southwest Of the
own.
The British troops are harassing
he Germans at various points along
he front held by them in Belgium
nd France with nightly raiding par.
les, which have been successful in
numerous Germans and taking
prisoner.
Strive for Mastery.
The British and German airmen
continue to strive for mastery in
and Belgium. Sunday wit.
messed the destruction Of five Ger.
nan airplanes in battles in the air
another by anti-air craft runs
Nv NNhNiS were put u OF con- /
roll The British lost five machines
the operations.
Mighty artillery duels between the
and Germans are still in prog.
'ess on several sectors of the front
between scissors and Rheims. Appar-
'ntly the Germans have ceased their
infantry operations, as the latest
french official communication makes
mention Of fresh thrusts by the
'rown prince. The battered city Of
Rheims continues to be a target for
ierman shells, 1900 of them having
zen dropped there Monday
Fighting in csrpathians.
The operations in The Austro.Italian
heater have again lost intensity. The
duels have diel down. while
he infantry encounters are merely
commissioners.