Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-07-16
Associated Press Summary)

The expected renewal of the Ger man offensive in France has begun. Fierce battles are in progress on both sides of the famous cathedral city of Rheims, which since the last offensive along the Marne has stood the apex of sharp salient into the German lines. West of Rheims the Germans with the pressure of large numbers of troops, the unlashing of which was preceded by veritable hail of high explosives and gas shells, have been enabled to cross the Marne at several places. East of the city, however, they have been held for the smallest of gains by the tenacious re- sistance of the defenders of the line. Altogether the two battle front az gregate about 65 miles in length.
 American troops are fighting val iantly on the sectors they have been holding and at two points have met with notable success. At Vaux they by the enemy by drove him back sev- eral hundred yards and only returned to their former positions when the advance of the Germans southeast of Chateau Thierry had crossed the Mar ne, made the reoccupation trenches of strategic value.
 Americans Capture 1000 Men
 Along the Marne between the town of Fossoy and the river Surme}in where the Germans crossed the Marne the Americans in strong counter attack forced back the enemy to the right bank of the stream. At other points along the river they used to the greatest advance their machine guns against enemy clements which were crossing the river on pontoon bridges, killing or wounding many of them.
 In the counter attack near Fosscy between 1000 and 1,500 Germans were captured by the Americans. The captured contingents included a complete brigade staff.
 The French general in command on this sector sent a congratulatory message to the general in command of the Americans. The Germans in addition to their tremendous expen- allure of explosives and gas shells used numerous tanks against the lines and also opened with numerous naval guns bombarding towns and cities far behind the battle lines, dropping upon them shells from 10 to 12 inch pieces.
 The details of the strategic scheme the Germans have in view have not been unfolded. It seems apparent, however, that the main objective in the first stages of the offensive is the throwing of their lines south ward on both sides of Rheims envel- ! oping the city and forcing it's capitu- lation.
 The gaining of the southern bank of the Marne and the strengthening out eastward of their battle line toward Verdun also may be in the program of the German command. Success in these movements would be of great 1 stategic value to the Germans if it is intended by them ultimately to at- tempt to drive on to Paris.
 British Gain at, Ypres
 While the Germans are making their drive in the south the British |, around Ypres are pecking away at the German lines with success as re- gards the gaining of ground and the taking of prisoners.
 The French and Italians in Albania are keeping up their spectacular drive against the Austrians and the French and Italians in ths mountain regions of the Italian theater daily are the enemy with patrol at tacks of considerable violence and bombardrents.
 In the few instances where the Aus trians in this region lately have tried to take strategic positions they have met with almost instant re- pulse.
 In Palestine Turkish and German troons nenetrated British positions north of Jericho but almost immed- iatelv were elected with the loss of more than 500 men made prisoner in- cluainr 260 Germans s $
 British and American troors now are in control of the entire Murman coast in Northern Russia. according