The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-08-03
United Press
War Summary

1,461st day Of the war; 18th day of
the counter offensive.
Soissons-Rheims front-The Ger
man retreat becomes more rapid as
the allies drive ahead along the
whole front between soissons and
Rheims French, American and
British troops are approaching the
VesIe river line along its entire
length and are closing in upon Fismes
from three sides.
Gains of from two to eight miles
were reported today at various points.
French cavalry has reached JON
cherry, on the south bank of the
Fismes. Americans have captured
cohan, six miles south of Fismes.
French troops have occupied MareuiI-
En-Dole, seven miles to the south
west.
On the west side Of the pocket, the
German defense apparently has been
completely broken and the allies have
crossed the Aisne some distance east
OF scissors. It is believed now that
the Germans will not attempt to de-
fend the Vesle line but will fall back
to the Aisne, or even to the chcmin-
Des-pames ridge.
Picardy front-The enemy Is re-
ported to have retired across the
Ancre 70 the east bank on the three
mile front from Albert northward to
Avsluy wood. This followed constant
hammering of this sector by the Brit
ish for several weeks.
Flanders front-Gerrnan artillery
was active last night between
sethune and EaiIlcui.
Champagne front-The French
| have occupied all the ground they lost
Thursday near St Hilaire, west OF
Souain.
The Germans apparently have def
niteiy abandoned the Vesle river line
and will make their stand along the
Aisne. or even farther north, on the
chemn-Des-Dames ridge.
| Allied troops are now within SIX
miles of Fismes to the southwest,
south and east, and the occupation OF
that city may occur at any time. II
is considered doubtful that the enemy
will attempt to defend 1t strongly.
| French cavalry has worked along
the south bank Of the Vesie eight miles
from Champigny TO Jonchery, the lat
I Ter TOWN. pSlnS NV o''S eN ''N>'
miles from Fismes. The Germans are
reported to have destroyed all bridges
across the Vesle and to be burning
villages north of the river.
Beyond Soissons the Boehes are re
ported to be retreating rapidly, ane
seemingly have abandoned the de
ifenses aIono the Aisre in that region
ITO the northeastward lies the Cnemi'
Des Danes high grounC, where the,
are expected to make stand.
Scurryins Northward.
ITBy J. w. T. Mason, United Press Wa
Expert1
NEW YORK, Aug. 3.-(1:15 p. MI
, General Foch this afternoon control
|, NEARLY two thirds of Won Hindenburg'
, former defensive positions along tn
vesle river.
:! Fearing the allies will out-flank hfr
/ from Scissors, Won Hindenturg ha
, started scurrying northward. He ha
abandoned his position along the Vesi
river for one third of the distance eas
, of Scissors and for nearly anothe
third west of the Rheims area
l The remaining third of the from
) in the center is still open to the r.
treating Germans. A very quic
thanking movement by the allies WI
result in general capture of Ge
] mans, but no extremely large bag IS
/ be expected for the moment. Vo
S Hindenburg isn't stopping to fight. Il
is moving helter skelter for the Aisn
irving to keep his line intact and
}. the same time protect the Chemin-De
Danes positions. His Marine hasco
complete.
n o