Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 166, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1918 — WAR SUMMARY [ARTICLE]

WAR SUMMARY

(Wednesday) . .Gen. Foch is squeezing still closer the opening of the pocket through which those of the German Crown Prince’s armies still within the AisneMarne salient must escape. . New advances are reported in the direction of Oulchy-le-Chateau and pressure is increasing in the direction of Rheims. . .Latest reports placed the French only about -five miles from Fere-en-Tardenois. Once this base city- falls the withdrawal of the Germans still within the pocket would appear an almost hopeless task. Desperate fighting continues in progress south of Soissons, where the Germans are striving to hold back the allied wall of flesh and steel that is closing in on them. During the twenty-four hours last past the allies are reported to have captured no less than ten towns and villages on the Aisne-Marne front and in Picardy, where the French yesterday launched a small-scale offensive opposite Amiens. The German losses in, the operation starting July 15 now are estimated at 180,000, including killed, wounded and captured. The losses in machine guns, ammunition, war materials and larger cannon have gone beyond estimate at the present time.. Operations during die last twentyfour hours have been hindered by rain, but late yesterday the weather cleared and the battle was resumed in full violence. . .’Unfavorable weather is also reported from the Flanders sectors, where Prince Rupprecht and his predicted offensive still are in waiting. The terrain there, is particularly susceptible to the rain and the prospects are that the Bavarian Prince will find it convenient still further to delay his advance.,