The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-08-08
ALLIES CONTINUE
ADVANCE ON HUNS
Foch's Forces Penetrate Enemy
Line Two Miles Further
Near M0ntdidier.
TAKE MORE GUNS AND STORES
French, Americans and British Tight
en- Hold on Soissons-Rheims
Salient North of Marine.

Washington, July 24-The Entente
Allied troops on the Soissons-Rheims
salient continue to gain ground, both
on the western side of the battle front
and on the south along the Marine and
toward Rheims, Notwithstanding the
increasing resistance Of the Germans
and the bad weather that is prevail
ing on the southern part Of the line.
While the latest gains recorded are
not as great, on the whole, as those
| of previous days, they nevertheless
have added positions Of strategic
value to the Allied line for the fur
Their prosecution of the efforts to
clear the territory of the enemy.
Much Loot Taken.
In the fighting more prisoners, guns
and war stores have fallen into the
hands of the American, French and
British troops.
As a diversion, the French to the
northwest, midway between scissors
and Amiens, have delivered a blow
against the German line which has
been productive of excellent results.
Striking on a front of about four
miles, General Foch's troops pene-
trated the enemy lines for a distance
of about two miles and gained the
heights dominating the valley Of the
Avre river and the plains beyond.
Fifteen Hundred Captured.
Fifteen hundred Germans were cap
tured by the French. The official
communication issued by the French
war office refers to this fighting as
a local question.
South of scissors the drive Of the
Franco-American forces toward Fere-
en-Tardenois has pushed further back
| the Germans on both sides of the
OurcQ river. South of the river, not
withstanding fierce resistance, the AL
lied forces reached the railroad line
between Armentieres and Coincy, run
ming southwark to Chateau Thierry,
| and pressed on beyond it.
This advance brings the French and
American troops relatively to within
seven miles of Fere-en-Tardenois and
also gives them a dominating posi-
| ton for big gun play over the eastern
section of the railway line running
from Armentieres to Fere-en-Tarde-
| noiS.
Allies Continue to Gain.
Washington, July 23.-Franco-Amer-
| lean troops, continuing their advance
south of the Ourcq river, crossed the
Scissors Chateau Thierry road be-
tween the Ourcq and the ClingnOn
| Sunday night, General Pershing re-
ported today.
The towns of BeZu, Epieds and Char
teves have been occupied by the Al
lied troops American troops also
have crossed the Marine and are oc-
| cupying towns on the north bank,
which, the communique says, had been
hastily evacuated by the Germans.
Hard Fighting at All Points.
London, July 23.-Hard fighting is
proceeding in all sections of the line
| from scissors to Rheims, according
to dispatches reaching London this
afternoon, but always with the Allies
on the offensive and the Germans
| fighting desperately to save what they
can before the onrush.
The French gathered up forty-five
more guns, including six of large cali
Der, in the fighting along the Marne,
where the Germans were compelled
to retreat very hastily, leaving behind
large quantities OF material Of all
kinds.
Although the Germans are fighting
bitterly along the bottom OF the sa-
| Iient, there are indications that they
realize that a retreat is inevitable, for
| they are burning villages several
miles behind their lines, and there is
| a great congestion of troops around
| the top of the salient, which may in
dictate preparations for new line.
With the district south of the Marine
cleared of Germans the Allies are
busy constructing bridges and getting
| large bodies of troops and supplies
across for pursuit.
Huns Fight Stubborniy.
The Germans undoubtedly will con-
tinue to fight in the most stubborn
manner for the salient, but if things
continue to go well with the Allies in
their attack the enemy is likely to be
forced back to the line Of the River
Vesle, which offers good defenses and
has good communications.
The Germans made several heavy
counter attacks on the western side
of the salient and the fighting appears
II Killed in Collision.
NJ