The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-07-23
ALLIED ADVANCE
CONTINUES
CONTINUED from page L.

FRANCE, July 23.-The situation on
the British front is one of prepared
waiting. 1t Is an open secret that
Crown Prince Rupprecht's plans were
perfected weeks ago, for drive
against the British. Everything is
ready, including great masses of storm
troops, huge concentrations of artil-
lery of all caiibers and airdromes
crowded with flying craft
Rupprecht is simply waiting for the
high commands cue which dorbnessly
will depend on events on the German
crown princes front. 1t is believed
that Rupprecht actually has set the
date several times. The last was
timed TO follow the expected success
in the Champagne, but he was forced
to put it off again. His group of
armies, howevr, is till intact, his re
serves being only slightly cut down by
force of Frederick Wilheim's de-
nlands. 1t is absolutely certain that
recent events have so lessened the
| confidence of both the army and the
| folks at home in Hindenburg and Lud-
endorff, that some dazzling stroke is
urgently needed In the quickest pos
sible time. But with barely ordinary
luck the allies hence forward should
trend to Developments.
| Undoubtedly there Is much heavy
fighting ahead. But without going in
to actual figures, the allies today have
| in strategic positions, as many, or
more, troops than Germany.
| Barring accidents, it is merely a
question Of the best way to use them.
The kaiser has over 200 divisions
| q. 400. 900 mem on the west front, but
little more than fourth of these are
worthy of the name "shock divisions"
Their quality and quantity are now on
the down grade.
The allies are not yet out OF the
woods, but they are certainly warrant
| ed in breathing easier The British
are very keen and certainly ready.
French Open Attack.
| LONDON. July 23.-French forces
opened an attack on a four mile front,
northwest of Montdidier at S:15 this
morning, capturing the villages Of
AubvilIiers and Sauvillers-M ongival
and the crest at Mailly- Raineval.
This attack apparently is the same
as that described in the Paris COM
, nuniuue, as the French war office
mentioned the capture OF these towns.
! German Batteries SiIenced.
WASHINGTON, July 23.-French
aviators last night dropped 100000
pounds of explosives upon enemy COM
munication lines, cantonment and bfv-
ouacs in the valley OF the Vesle,
French cables stated today. Enemy
concentrations on the Ardre were
heavily bombed while stations at Laon
Iy,.- Ior
ed Fere-en- Tardenois reported filed
y with troops. was heavily bombed, sew
eral explosions and an immense fire
resulting. Active German batteries in
the region of Courmont Roncheres and
nearby points were silenced. French
aviators brought down nine enemy
planes yesterday.
Americans Take 300 Prisoners.
LONDON. July 23-(2:15 p. ny
The Americans have captured Jaui
come ION the north bank OF the
Marne) and are continuing their ad-
vance, II was learned authoritatively
this afternoon. They took three hun
dred prisoners.
Z, A German counter attack at Van
diers (ten miles east of Jaulgonne)
was repulsed.
The French hold the entire Marine
bend from Chassins to Prelop.
=, Between the Aisne and the Ourcq
iF'ranco-American troops are progress
ing. The French are reported to have
regained all the ground they lost yes
terday at Grisoles. (Unofficial reports
said the French were driven back half
a mile. north of Chateau-Thierry by
a counter attack.
f! Along the Marine valley, the French
are experiencing difficulty in crossing
near Verneuil. owing to artillery and
machine gun fire. They crossed at
Port-a-Binson late yesterday.
Artillery Fighting.
PARIS, July % (noon) Only ar
tillery fighting was reported on the
whole offensive front last night, the
1 war office announced today