The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-07-30

United Press
War Summary

1,457th day OF the war; 18th day of
the counter offensive.
Soissons-Rheims front-Simultane
GUS with a heavy German counter at
tack on the western half Of the salient
the allies today apparently began an
assault on the eastern half. Fighting
of unusual violence is reported along
the whole front French ard Ameri-
can troops have been forced to yield
some ground before the enemy, but
have made progress in their push.
The fighting is going on over a front
of about fifty miles
Pcardy front-Sritish troops made
a successful raid near Ayette, be-
tween Arrss and Albert, last night.
The Germans sheIIed British posiI
tions northwest of Albert with gas.
Flanders front-Austraiian troops
took forty prisoners In trench raid
near Merris. Enemy bombardments
with gas shells were reported in vari-
Gus sectors along the whole front.
Engiand-Near!y all munitions
makers have returned to work.
Russia-czecho-SIov forces have
seized two Russian cruisers at Nevo-
Rostok In southeastern Russia, ac-
eording to a despatch received in
washington.
Fighting Of usual violence has bro
ken out again on the whole Soissons-
Rheims 'front.' according to battle
front dispatches received via London
today.
The reports indicate the Germans
are making progress at some points
on the western half of the salient,
while the allies are advancing In some
sectors on the eastern haff.
The battle apparently covers front
Of about fifty-miies. The Americans
have fallen back from cierges, four
miles southeast Of Fere-en-Tardenois,
near the source Of the Ourcq and the
French have been driven out Of Be-
gneux, three miles northeast OF Cul-
chy Lechateau.
The heaviest fighting lis reported. to
be under way between Vile en- Tar
denois and the Ourcq, a front of about
ten miles. On this sector the French
have advanced to the crest of the
plateau between the Ourcq and the
lVesie.
Northeast Of viTie-En Tardenois, al
lied troops advanced up the Andre
valley as far as AubiIiy.
Rear Guard Action.
fBy J. W. r. Mason, United Press
| War Expert.l
| NEW YORK, July S0-von Hindep,
burgs counter attacks, started this
morning north OF the Ourcd, give
evidence OF being primarily magnified
rear guard actions for the purpose OF
trying. to prevent the allies from
- ~,
Between Scissors and the Ourcq Is
Won Hindenburg's most dangerous
sector. II General Foch were to sue
ceed in penetrating the line near Sois
sons. a real disaster would overtake
Won Hindenburg's forces. That Won
Hindenburg has suddenly tried to
seize the initiative in this quarter in
dicates a haunting fear on his part OF
the perilous situation as his forces
continue.
Since the retreat from the Marne
began. Won Hindenburg has concen
itrated his heaviest reinforcements
around the scissors corner of the
Aisne- Marne salient. He ul.questiona
bly has very strong force at present
in that area. He might believe that
a lavish slaughter of German troops
at this moment would perhaps result
lin bending the allied front southwest
ward from Soissons in the general dt
rection Of Paris.
A serious offensive Of this character
however, would run into the stronges
positions the French have prepared
for defending the roads to Paris.
j The villers-Cotterets forest is bu
five to seven miles away and east o
|