The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-10-04
STAGGERING FROM BLOWS And ABOUT TO FALL
United Press
War Summary
1,52srd day Of the war.


From the North sea to Lens-The
BeIgans, British and French con-
tinue to progress slowly between
Dixmude and ArmentIeres, in tho
face of stubborn resistance. A
Belgian motor car entered Rouers
and returned safely.
The German retreat on the twenty
mile front between Arnnentieres and
Lens is continuing, with the British
in close pursuit. The British have
now reached the railway east Of
Lens, an additional advance Of about
a mile.
From Lens to La Fere-Rritish
cavalry, pouring through the gap
torn In the last of the German sub
sidary line northeast of ST. Quentin,
are reported to have reached Fres-
noy-Le-Grand, four miles Into COM
parativeIy open country. The Brit
ish repulsed several counter attacks
in this region yesterday and took
four thousand additional prisoners.
French troops have occupied Les
dins and Morcourt, northeast of St.
Quentin, and have made further
progress on the OIse canal north Of
La Fere, where they are gradually
encircllng the St. Goban massif
from the north.
From La Fere to Rhelms-The
French have extended their bridge
heads across the AIsne- Marine canal
northwest Of Rheims and have car
ried their lines to within three miles
Of Craonne. South of Laon the COM
panion movement to that north of
La Fere Is slowly squeezing the ene-
my out of the st. Gobain stronghold.
From Rheims to Verdun The
French and Americans, In their new
attack In the Champagne region,
have advanced three miles since
they struck west of the Argonne for
est yesterday morning. The battle
is continuing. Between the Arsonne
forest and the Meuse, American ar
tiliery Is blasting the way for fur
ther progress.
From verdun to Switzerland
Americans continue to make minor
raids east of Verdun. The civilian
population Is still being withdrawn
from AIsace-Lorraine by the German
military authorities, In anticipation
of an American drive.
Balkans-The Austrans are evaeu-
atIng Albania, with the Italians In
pursuit. Berat has been recaptured.
ItCt I'll OF Tic p0htiC ithS e'-
lied naval forces entered the Aus
trian naval base Of Durazzo Wednes-
day, destroying the defenses and
sinkina the Austrian fleet In the
harbor.
Palestine-The British are push
ing north from Damascus toward
AIeppo. Fall of Beirut Is expected
within a day or two.
The allies are hammerng their VIC
tories In three great theNtres Of war.
Continued successes are reported
from the west front, from the Bal
kans and from Palestine. In addition
allied naval forces have destroyed the
Austrian naval base Of Durazzo in Al
banla, sinking the enemy fleet in that
harbor.
The west front offensive has been
definitely welded Into one gigantic
battle line, stretching from the North
sea Into Lorraine.
The breach In the German defenses
northeast of ST. Quentin effected by
the British on Wednesday, only to be
closed at once by desperate counter
attack, has again been torn open and
British cavalry is reported pouring
through the gap. Unofficial advices
today stated Hais's horsennen nave
entered Fresnoy-Le-Grand, seven
miles northeast of ST. Quentin and
four miles beyond the seaurevoir-
Fonsomme line, which Termed the 'ast
prepared enemy defenses behind the
Hindenburg line.
Evacuation of Belgium apparently
Is gaining headway, as the seiaiahs,
British and French press forward on
the heels Of the retreating foe.
The Germans evidently are resist
Ing vigorously between Oi%mude and
Armentieres, but between that city
and Lens they are still falling back
rapidly.
The British have progressed about
five miles in this sector and are only
four miles from the great Industrial
center Of Lille. Armentieres, in
France, Just south of the Franco-se'-
aan border, has be7n takeH,
The encircIing movement iesiened
to pinch off the ST. Quentin massif and
win back Laon, is proceeding method
Ically. The French troops between St.
Quentin and LaPere are timing their
advance to cooperate perfectly with
the French forces between the Atlette
and Vesle. General sarthclots men
are on the AIsne river, only three
miles from Crsonne.
A new Franco-American attack,
launched northeast of Rheims, yester-
day morning, has already resulted In
an advance of about three miles and
the battle is still under way.
o..y,.. a,<.cu,+iop of Albania bv
Austrian forces already has been an
nounced by Vienna. italian troops in
pursuit, have retaken the important
city of Berat.
The Austrian war office announceG
that withdrawal twas rendered neces-
sary by events on>the Bulgarian 'front.'
The allied naval victory at Durazzo,