The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-06-20
ALLIES TO SAVE
SLAvS FROM FOE
VITAL POINT RETAkEN ~ the
FRENCH IN VICIOUS BLOW
NEAR soissoNs.
U.S.ARMY OF 100000
BRITISH SEIZE HUN FORWARD
POSITION ON TWo-MiLE FRONT
NORTH OF eETHUNE.

Washington. - Unexpected develop
ments In central Siberia, where Czech
o-Slovak regiments are gaining appar-
emily marked successes against the
soviet troops. were regarded here ~
possibly marking the advent Of condi-
tions in Russia which the entente al
lies have been awaiting as prelimin-
ary to the adoption of strong meas
ures to prevent the further extension
of German control over Russia.
Paris.-French troops have reoccu-
pied Coeuvres ct Valsery (southwest
of Soissons, an important strategic
point from which the Germans have
been endeavorins to debouch their
troops.
London.-British troops in q local
operation have captured the German
forward positions ON q front of two
miles north Of Bethune. according to
Field Marshal Haig's report.
With the enemy fought to stand
still. something like a stable line ID
being re-establishsd in the Compissne
battle. On the whole front between
Montdidier and Chateau Thsirry. the
outlook II now regarded In Paris with
more confidence. but anxiety il still
expressed in London. whore II h con-
sidsrsd that great peril ID yet ahead
for the allies.
There are three goals at which the
enemy may strike, namely. Paris.
Amiens and Calais. and the alice. It
IL assumed. have little chance OF a.
certaining the snsmy's intention be-
fore the blow falls.
Washington-Thrse million Ameri-
cans will be under arms by next Aug.
l, the Senate military committee was
told by Provost Marshal General
Crowder. Extension of the age limits
in the army draft will be necessary,
Gen. Crowder said. II the present rate
Of draft calls 10 continued. He esti-
mated that all the men in ol1ss l
would be exhausted after next Jan. 1.
Gen. Crowder said that 1,347,O00 of
the 2,l2S.00O men placed in class 1 al.
ready have been called to the colors
With the French Army In France.
June 16.-F1vs days sufficsd TO stay
the German Offensive between Montdi-
der and Noyon whose objective was
Compisgne. Despite long prsparatioa.
the Germans were unable to overcome
Ersash resistanoe. and brilliant. osun-
ter attacks b. the allied troops took
back everything Of importance which
fell into the haAd. Of the enemy dur
ing the first rush with large masses Of
troops. The Germans gained some lit
tie ground, but their desisn failed in
its great lines.
Friday there was An unsuccessful
German attack west Of the Oise, but
the front elsewhere in this region was
calm. This may be . sign that the en-
emy has renounced further efforts In
this direction and 10 about to start
elsewhere. Troops who participated in
the battle. az well AZ prisoners. are
unanimous in declaring that the Ger
man losses throughout the five days
were appalling.
men continue to carry out aerial oper-
atoms above and behind enemy lines
Bad weather is hampering infantry
operations ON the italian front, but in
the mountain region the artillery fight
ing is intense French troops in oper-
alton in eastern Albania have driven
the Bulgarians from eleven villages
and have occupied terntory ON q front
of eleven miles to a depth of nine
miles. Important mountain heights
covering the lower reaches of the
Skumbi and Devoli rivers have been
seized and more than 300 prisoners
captured. :
Between the southern edge of the
villers-C Cotterets forest and Chateau
Thierry American troops celebrated
the anniversary of the arrival of
American troops in France by repuls-
ing violent enemy attempts to drive
them from their recently won positions
at Belleau wood and Bouresches. The
enemy attacked after heavy bonn
bardment, but was driven back with
severe losses by the defensive fire of
the Americans, who took prisoners and
machine guns.
British casualties reported during
the week ending Friday aggregated
34.171. o. this number %,447 men were
killed.
Holden Heads Central Rail Division.
Washington.-Territ west of the
Mississippi river was divided by Di-