The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-07-16
Kansas City Live Stock.

exclusively, unless the Germans fail
to gain an initial success, when, 1t
is believed, they will be shifted els
where.
The present battle tends to show
that the Germans have not yet CIV
en- up their ambitious hope of reach
ing Paris although some military crt-
tics contend the main drive is yet to
come on the British front. These cri-
tics maintain the attack is merely
feint intended to draw off the allied
reserves from the section where the
main attack is to be delivered
Parisians have no doubt as to the
outcome OF the raging conflict. They
are continuing the cel-.~rtion of Bas-
tile day, with flags fluttering gaily
from the buildings and crowds throng-
ing the boulevards. The sidewalks
are crowded with American, French
and British soldiers, gaily flirting
with the girls.
Meanwhile the threatening rumble
of the guns participating in the great
conflict is audible on the more quiet
side streets.
5vche Meets His Better.
by. Carl D. Groat United Press Staff
Correspondent
WASHINGTON. July 16.-The Boche
has met his better.
That summarizes the glorious check
administered him in the renewal of
his tremendous smash on the line of
Paris. Army men gave unstinted
praise today to the valor, the go-get-
'em spirit of the Americans and were
none the less high in their praises for
the gallant French and Italians.
They said the drive had fizzled In
so far as accomplishing what it plan
ned was concerned. While not yet
done it has met reverse which must
sober German chieftains and cause
dismay at home to people fed up
on sneers for the American army.
"Tf we hold him now. said one pro-
minent military leader today "he is
done on the offensive. He will scarce
ly have time to prepare for another
smash before the weather is against
him, and as l see it, he will rather
have to sue for the best terms pos
sib1e or else dig in the hope for aid
from Russia"
Other officers freely predicted that
the Boche will be definitely halted.
They pointed to the TACT that manpow-
er superiority is now turning to the
allies. American capture of 500 pri-
soners, reported in overnight des-
patches: American repulse of the Teu-
ton to the Marine and American sue
cess in wrecking the pontoons bridging
the stream, are all factors giving
touch of real optimism to what for
time looked like a. very grave Pro-
blem
A significant feature of this smash
was the absence of surprise.
Foch's reserves were carefully dis
posed. and he was able to throw men
in at beleagured points when needed.
The FASTENED American troop ship
ment program had much to do with
the situation.
If the Germans expected Foch
would be COMPELLED to withdraw some
of his forces from Flanders or PicardG,
the enemy is mistaken The man.
power is such that this will be IN
necessary.
The German casualties. while not in
Dictated numerically. are undoubtedly
very heavy. Incidentally army officers
advised the United States must steel
itself for the first real casualty lists
of the struggle, but they said that
America would bear the news brave
ly in the knowledge that the men had
died noblv in a noble cause
Present Wilson and Secretary OF
War Baker kept in close touch with
the situation up to late hour last
night
There was some discussion among
war department officers as to wheth
err yesterdays drive was intended a3
. main offensive. The consensus of
onininn was that it was SO intended