The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-07-01
iBy Associated Press)

.By Associated Press)
Both the French and the British con-
tinued yesterday a2d last night their
recently adopted program of prodding
the Germans at various points along
the FrancoBelgian line, capturing a
vantage point here and there and ha-
RAISING the enemy while the prepara-
tons for the resumption Of his offen-
siye are under way.
The French hit the line in local at,
tacks at two separate points, but both
on the western side OF the German
salient which projects down to the
Marne from the Aisne. They gained
ground in each attack and took pris-
oners and machine guns.
The most pronounced gain was af.
fected by General Petain's troops Just
above the point where their line Joins
the American sector northwest Of Bal.
leau wood. They advanced here south
OF Passy-en-Valois and carried their
line forward so that it now runs east
OF the Chezy- -Vinly railroad. In addi-
ton, they held on firmly to the ground
gained the night before Just to the
north, in the region of Mosley, fight
ing OF two German counter attacks.
Southwest of Scissors where the
brilliant strokes Of last week placed
the French in strong position on the
important Laver2ine plateau, they
moved ahead again In the center OF
their new line gaining ground by the
capture OF strong point north of
Cutry.
In all the French took some 200
prisoners in these actions.
The British stroke, which was also
local operation, was well toward the
southern end of the line Just above
Albert, north of the Somme river. An
improvement in the British position
was affected here and machine guns
and prisoners fell into their hands.
Severe battles are brewing on the
fighting fronts. All indications point
to an early resumption Of heavy fight
ing on the western line In Italy the
mountain zone is again the scene Of
infantry operations.
Tension is increasing along the Brit
ish front in France as the crescendo
Of the German artillery fire mounts
higher and higher. From Ypres 10
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 nibblins
tactics which cost them important
points last week
The German command is known tc
have large forces in readiness on the
main battle fields of France. They
may strike anywhere on the 2O0-mtle
main front as their communications
give them much elasticity of move
ment. 1t is expected also that the
blow when and where it does come.
will be the mightiest the enemy can
make.
Unconcerned apparently, about the
German plans, the French continue to
perfect their defensive positions be-
tween the Aisne and the Marne. South
east Of the forest OF villers- -Cotterets.
they have extended their line and TAX
en- 265 prisoners, while north OF the
forest 100 Germans were taken In a
small advance near ST. Pierre Aiele.
The enemy did not react strongly andt
the French hold their new positions
firmly.
Along the line northwest Of Chateau
Thierry, where the Americans hold a
sector, the Germans are reported con.
centrating troops and supplies Aerial
hshtlng has been severe near the
lines. 1t Is not unlikely the
Germans may plan to give the Ameri
cans hard blow in payment for the
recent American successes on this
front.
West of the Brenta, General Diaz
is preparing for eventualities by
his line as the oppor- |
tunity offers. East of Asiago Italian
troops have reoccupied the height of
'1onte di Valbella, capturing 500 pris-
oners. Strong enemy attempts to re-
take the height were hurled back.
Nearer the Brenta the Italians took
thirty prisoners in gaining a fortified
point on Sasso Rosso. Vienna SAYS
the Italians were thrown out of the
Austrian first line on Monte di Val
bella and that further attempts to sd-
vance were checked
German air raids against Paris con-
Linue. but in three attempts last week
and two Sunday-Monday night the en-
emy caused no great damage and few
casualties. The latest efforts to pen-
citrate the defenses of the French cap
tal were made late Sunday night and
early Monday. The first failed On
the second several bombs were DROP
ped on the capital