The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-07-24

prisoners believe the kaiser viii start
another offensive this summer-on
even a large scale, to regain the con-
fidence Of the German people, which
is admitted to be at low ebb.
Many prisoners frankly say they do
not care about Germany's future ac-
tivities, declaring they are sick of the
war.
During the enemy retirement, Ger
man officers say The allied artillery
IRE compelled them to fall back so
fast they were unable to maintain an
effective counter barrage. While the
allies were bombarding Boche posi-
tons preparatory to some Of the local
attacks, the German outposts were
forced to take cover and many were
captured before they could come out
of their hiding places. In some re-
sions the fighting was carried on al
most entirely by artillery and machine
guns, the Germans being so far ahead
Of the Americans that rifles and gre
nades could not be used effectively.
Allied aviators and German prison
ers testify to the destruction wrought
by our heavy guns on railways, roads
and important functions. which were
necessary to the enemy's retirement
The German plan of retreat left the
machine gun squads to tight rear
guard actions at many points. On sew
eral occasions when these guns and
their crews were captured the Boche
gunners did not know That their COM
rades had already fallen back
Violent Artillery Fighting.
PARIS, July "a (1:o5 p. m.)-The
tillery fighting is proceeding vio-
Iently between the Aisne and the
Marine and between the Marne and
Rheims, the French war office re-
ported today. German counter at
lacks west of Rheims were repulsed.
| Between the Marine and the Afsne,
and in Courton and Roi woods, both
artilleries were greatly active" the
communique said.
! West of Rheims, the Germans
counter attacked at 8 p. N. In the
Vrigny region, the French broke the
enemy assaults and maintained their
positions"
One Good Days Work.
PARIS, July z4.-Thfrty-seven Ger
man airplanes were shot down 'ano
four balloons destroyed by allied avi-
ators Monday, the official air ministry
communique issued today, declared.
.Franco-British aviators shot down
Ithirty-seven German airplanes and fir
ed four balloons" the communicate
stated.
''Twenty-nine tons of bombs were
dropped on enemy concentration ano
communication centers. American avt-
ators elaborated with the character
Eistic pluck of the United States. They
participated in the proceeding days
victories
British Air Raids.
LONDON, July 24-Destruction of
one enemy airplane during raiding
operations, was reported today by
the British air ministry. All British
machines returned safely. The state
ment follows:
In a raid carried out on the after
moon OF the 22nd instant, the main
station Of Offenburg was hit and
bursts were seen on the sidings. One
hostile machine was destroyed. AL
our machines returned.
"On the night of the 22nd-23rd re
peated attacks, attended with good
results, were carried out against the
enemy's aerdromes. Fires and ex2lo-
sions were observed. Other targets
were engaged with bombs and ma,
chine gun fire"
British Pick up Prisoners.
LONDON, July 24-Raiding oper.
atoms and cannonadinS on various
sectors of the British front were re
: ported by Field Marshall Haig today
South of Bucquoy, we made sue
cessful raids, taking eighteen prison
ers,' the statement said. Our cas-
ualties were light.
In another raid, northwest of AL
bert, we secured prisoners.
"An attempted enemy raid north
east of Bethune was repulsed.
Hostile artillery was active on the
northern portion of the front. partic
ularly in the neighborhood of Locre'
Change Direction.
lTRy Frank T TAYLOR Tinted pra.