Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-07-20
$4,000 PRISONERS
in OFFICIAL REPORT
London. July 2O.-The captured ground in
the latest Franco-American attack in the Aisne-
Marne district includes nine villages


In a counter attack by
the French in the Sois-
sons district Monte de
Paris. one Of the most important
heiehes dominating the scissors
country was captured.
Another advance was made to
line at Vile Montoire, Percy and
Tigny. The fCsnier is nve miles di-
rectly south OF scissors and the lat
ter are neignDoring villages seven
and half miles south of scissors.
Heavy enemy attacks southwest Of
S0issons We're repused by the French
who counter attacked and gained con
siderable ground
The French are now close to Sos-
sons. Along the main road leading to
Chateau Thierry there was bitter
| fighting yesterday
]
1890 Prisoners.
/ London, July 20-Figures made
/ public this afternoon show that the
/ Franco American drive has so far re-
suited in the capture of lS,940 pris.
oners and 364 guns The Franco Am
erican line is being gradually straigh.
tened and now tanks the Chateau
Thierry railroad from near Belleau to
Fontenoy an approximate distance of
thirty miles.
ludendorff the Leader.
London. July 20,Evidence that
Gen. lsudandorff actually had succeed.
ed Gen. Hindenburg was reported to-
day by the German official statement.
This statement refers to Ludendorff
as chief of the general staff. This
position was formerly held by Hind
enburg
Here's Nick Dead Again,
London, July 20-The former Car
of Russia was shot on July Is, ac-
cording to Russian wireless dis.
patch received here this afternoon
The adyices say the council in con
troll of the rural regions passed
sentence on the former Gar and that
if was carried OUT on the date set
Scene of Great Carnage.
by Henry g. Wales. International
- News Service staff Cor.
respondent.
With the American Army on the
- Aisne-Marne Front, July 49, might j.
The battlefield over which the French
a and Americans began their big OF.
e Iensiye between the Aisne and Marne
4 rivers present scene of frightful car.
mage
$ Correspondents were allowed today
+ ito visit the newly captured terrain.
r reaching the scene even before all OF
the dead had been buried Searching
{. parties were still comblng the wheat
s fields seeking wounded
Whenever = corpse was found. the
n bayonet OF rifle was stuck into the
$ ground with the butt showing above
IS the grain, giving signal 10 the grave
diggers where work was to he done
. Many OF the corpses were hideously
+ contorted, lYng in all kinds Of gro
tesque positions amidst the shell
- torn ground
,t Report scissors Falls.
= By Ernest r. Orr International New.
3 Service Stan Correspondent.
,f Paris, July 20 Soissons, on the
,s Aisne river Que OF the chiet objec
ID tifes Of the French and American
II IN their counter offensive on ttt
.y Aisne-Mame front, has been recap
tured from the Germans. according :,
+, report reaching here today from tn,
p. scene OF action.
il Soissons stands at the northefi
, end OF the front over which Genera
h. foch began his biz counter driy
~ against the Germans on Thursday.
III The French and Americans az
N ysnced on Soissons on loth sides c
~ the Asne river and brought the eli
-. Under heavy artillery fire,
a The Germans fought desperately
retain it but the allies continued the
progress, oyerrunnIug the pIatea
southwest OF the city
The Germans had hastily construc
ed strong new defence, ~ Tue Wet
in and south Of scissors and the hume
.al ous machine gun nests south m
of southwest OF the city gave the allie
me considerable difficulty IN extend.u
their lines.
Soissons was captured by the tie
--- mans on May 20 in the initial pha'
-ut their dash soHthwafds from Il
heights OF the Aisne
Take Merfaux.
London. luly ~ On the char
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