Evening star., 1918-07-01
Ailles on Western Front Prod
Germans and Interfere
With Concentrations.
READY TO MEET THE HUN
WHEN HE LAUNCHES BLOW
French Deliver Two Local Attacks
and Make Important Gains
of Ground.
Ry the Associated Press.


Severe battles are brewing on the
fighting fronts. AL indications point
to an early resumption of heavy fight
ing on the western line. In Italy the
n ountain zone is again the scene of in
fantry operations.
Tension is increasing along the Brit
fsh front in France as the crescendo of
the German artillery fire mounts
higher and higher. From Ypres to
Rheims the big guns are buster than
they have been for some days, and the
Germans probably are preparing to re-
act strongly against the allied nibbling
tactics which cost them important
points last week.
Allies Prod Germans.
Both the French and the British
continued yesterday and last night
their recently adopted program of
prodding the Germans at various
points along the Franco-BeIgian line,
capturing a vantage point here and
there and harassing the enemy while
the preparations for the resumption
Of his offensive are under way.
The French hit the line in local at
tacks at two separate points. but
both on the western side of the Ger
man salient, which projects down to
the Marne from the Aisne. They
gained ground in each attack and
took prisoners and machine guns.
Petain Makes Good Gain.
The: most pronounced gain was ef-
tscted by Gen. Petafn's troops just
lbove the point where their line Joins
the American sector northwest Of
Be1ieau wood. They advanced here
south Of Passy-en-valois and carried
their line forward, SO that 1t now
runs east Of the Chezy-vinly railroad.
In addition they held on firmly to the
ground gained the night previous just
to the north. in the region of Mosloy.
lighting OF two German counter at
facks.
Southwest Of Scissors, where the
brilliant stroke Of last week placed
the French in a strong position on the
important Laversine plateau, they
moved ahead again in the center of
their new line. gaining ground by the
capture of a strong point north of
Coutry. In all the French took some
200 prisoners in these actions.
The British stroke, which was also
= local operation, was well toward the
/ outhern end Of their line, just above
lbert, north of the Somme river. An
lprovement in the British positions
as effected here and machine guns
=. nd prisoners fell into their hands.
German Concentrations Large.
The German command is known to
ave large forces in readiness on the
Jain battleflelds of France. They may
strike anywhere on the 200-mile main
'front.', as their communications give
Is expected also that the blow, when
and where 1t does come. will be the
mightiest the enemy can make.
unconcerned apparently about the
to perfect their defensive positions
between the Aisne and the Marne,
Southeast of the forest of Villers-
Cotterets. they have extended their
Qne and taken 265 prisoners. while
Forth Of the forest 10 Germans were
taken in a small advance near St
Pierre Aigle. The enemy did not re-
act strongly and the French hold
their new positions firmly.
Along the line northwest of Cha
teau-Thierry, where the Americans
hold a sector. the Germans are re-
ported concentrating troops and
supplies. Aerial fighting has been
severe near the American lines. 1t is
not unlikely the Germans may plan
TO give the Americans a hard blow
in payment for the recent American