The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-07-18
;ERmAN ARMY BADLY SHATTERED
AS u. s. TROOPS dash FORWARD
United Press
War Summary


Of the big offensive
AlSNE-MARNE FRONT: French
and American troops began an offen-
sfve this morning on the thirty-five
mile front between the Marine and
the Aisne. The Paris communique
reported initial gains Of from one to
two miles. Semi-offieial dispatches
said the allies were making good
progress" The attack is reported to
have been made on large scale.
CHAMPAGNE FRONT: The Ger
man effort now seems to be limited
to taking Epernay, on the south bank
of the Marine, fourteen miles south
Of Rheims-and to pinching off the
Rheims salient French war office
reported "no change" on the entire
battle front.
PcARDY FRONT: Australian
troops advanced on a mile front east
Of Viller-Bretonneux last night. East
their positions.
FLANDERS FRONT: German artiI-
Iery activity north Of BaiIIeul during
the night.
ENGLAND: American wounded ar
riving from the French front were
cheered by great crowds at the rail.
way stations.
FRANCE: Trial Of Louis MaIvy,
former minister of the interior,
charged with treason in Connection
with the BoIo Pasha defeatists activi-
| ties, began.
AusTRIA-HUNeARY: Buda Pest
newspaper, Poster Lloyd, admitted
that american Intervention Is hav-
| ing its effects"
-. RUSSIA: Premier Cenlne refused
a request by Germny to permit a
FGerman battalion to guard the Ger
man embassy in Moscow.
Caught IN His Own Trap.
| [By J. w. T. Mason, United Press War
Expert.1
| NEW YORK, July 1S.-Von linden
burg has been caught in his own trap.
Trying to lure the allies reserves to
the eastern area of the Aisne-Marne
salient, he has weakened the German
front along the western side of the
salient and General Foch has seized
the opportunity to deliver a counter
stroke for the better protection OF
| Paris.
i Today's attack by the allies between
Fontenoy and BeIleau may possibly
merge into a major offensive if the
German front crumples up. early in
the engagement. For the moment,
however, General Foch is doubtless
bent on winning limited detectives
| A major offensive by the allies, before
Americas armies are fully ready to
participate has previously been shown
not to be part Of General Foch's plans.
This limitation Of strategy, neverthe-
less. would change If Won Hfndenbryg
were to commit any stupendous blu1-
| der. in his mad passion for slaughter
| General Foch's present attack has
triple objective. 1t is first an effort
to push the Germans father away
| from the routes to Paris; secondly, 1t
will act as a diversion to interfere
with a continuation Of the German Of
J fensive between Rheims and the
Marne. and thirdly it will seriously
disarrange whatever plans Won Hin
denburg may have formed to change
the direction of his offensive from the
east to Paris.
rne cheek Won hlnuenpurg mas E
rered since Monday has undoubtedly
created large amount of confusion
behind the German lines. This con,
dition gives an unusual opportunity
| for the allies to deliver an effective
stroke such as General Foch has ord
| cred today. The Oisne-Marne salient
! is so narrow that increased Dispute
tude among the Germans within its
pocket might lead to decentralization.
| Certainly General Foch has not had
| as excellent an opportunity as the
/ nresent to safeguard the roads to
Paris. since the Germans extended
| their front to the Afsne.
Brilliant Counter Stroke
TBy ]. w. T. Mason. United Press war
| Expert.1
NEW YORK, July IS G:30 p. MI
The CAPTURE of twelve towns, together
with a number Of farms northwest OF
Cbateau-Thierry by the American
troops is the most brilliant counter
stroke the allies have made since the
beginning of Won Hindenburgs first
offensive last March.
| It is Americas first offensive drive
over an extended area. 1t is the first
opportunity American military leader
/ ship has had to show its worth unoer
offensive conditions resembling ma
ior operation. Complete success mas
attended the initial effort. There Is
now every reason for placing full con-
lfidence in the ability of Americas Of
ficers to rise to the difficult condi-
tions attending a major drive.
The American success has contri-
buted materially to strengthen the al
lies defense guarding the road to
Paris westward along the Marne. The
towns that have fallen into American