Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1917 — ALLIES PRIMS GERMANS BACK [ARTICLE]

ALLIES PRIMS GERMANS BACK

British and French Continue Victories on Western Front. The southern part of the Hindenburg line in France continues to crumble or fall back before the forces of the French General Niville. Thursday witnessed additional important gains by the French at numerous points from Soissbns eastward to the old Champagne and also the capture of men and guns. . In the latter regions northwest of Auberive, the French captured strongly fortified German trenches on a front of a mile and a quarter and made prisoner 150 Germans. Northeast of Soissons the villages of Aisy, Jouy and La

Faux, and Fort de Condo were captured by the French, while to the east near Hurtebiso, another point of support (fell into their hands and with it 500 prisoners and two cannons. Violent artillery actions are in progress between the Sqm me and the Oise in Champagne near Lo Mort Homme In the Verdun sector and in Belgium arountVDixmude. The French war office reports that Wednesday night the Germans threw twelve divisions of fresh men into the Tray between Soissons and Auberive in an attempt to hold General Nivelle’s forces back, but that their efforts were unavailing. The Berlin official statement says Gorman counter attacks northwest of Auberive “compensated for the enemy’s gain of terrain.” It is admitted by Berlin that the Germans near Ville-Au-Bois retreated to new lines, being unable to withstand the .intensity of the French fire. Comparative quiet, guaged by the recent intensive fighting, prevails on that part of the line in /France, held by the British. The latest official communication dealing with tlie Arras-Lens sector, reports slight ’ gains for Field Marshal Haig’s forces south of Monchy-Ler Preux afid Fampoux and also to the north in the Loos sector, where prisoners were taken. " _■ At the time of going to press for Wednesday’s Democrat a report was current in Chicago that 100,000 Germans had surrendered. This report was misinterpreted, as the dispatch from the front was to the effect that the great battle then in progress had netted the allies 100,000 in killed, wounded and captured. . At the present time Germany is threatened by a gigantic strike of its munitions and other workers. Many have already quit work and if the general strike takes place the nation cannot survive long.