TEUTONS CLAIM CAPTURE OF 45,000 PRISONERS,
FOUR HUNDRED BIG GUNS AND THOUSANDS OF
MACHINE GUNS, BUT REPORTS LACK CONFIRMA
TION FROM ALLIED SOURCES—BATTLE RAGES
WITHOUT CEASING.
SUMMARY: Keeping the Teuton center advancing stead
ily. but slower than heretofore, toward the River Marne, the
Germans simultaneously struck the left flank of the allied ar
mies along the Aillette river, forcing them to retire to new po
sitions. Advanced detachments of the army of the German
crown prince have reached the north bank of the river Marne
at a point between Charleves and daulgonne, in the Champagne
sector. In the Rheims-Soissons region, the enemy is making
advances against the allied armies. The new allied line now
nms from a point west of Soissons, through Epagney and Bler
ancourt, to the Oise river, eight miles east of Noyon. It is
possible, in view of the advance of the enemy on this front, that
he plans a drive down the Oise river valley toward Paris. The
allies checked a similar drive in March. On the other hand,
the enemy may seek to reach the river Marne with a big
force ami thence bend his efforts toward straightening his
line to the north, as far as Noyon, and then prepare for a drive
toward Paris. The allied armies are putting up a most stub
born resistance and are making the Teutons pay dearly for
every foot of ground gained. While the situation appears
serious, the enemy advance has failed to penetrate the allied
lines at any point. Retirements have been made in good or
der. It is expected that the big Austrian offensive will be
launched against the Italians within the next few days. Ital
ian officers say their armies are fully prepared to meet the en
emy. In sectors occupied by American troops, the fighting is
confined to minor operations, in'which the enemy met reverses.
GERMANS REDOUBLE VIOLENCE IN NEW SALIENT.
PARIS, dune 1.—The German attack continued through
out the night with redoubled violence along the western side
of the new salient, which extends from Soissons to Chateau
Thierry on the Marne. Near Soissons and along the Chaudu
Yierzy line, the French troops waged fierce counter-attacks,
gaining ground everywhere, and taking several hundred pris
oners. Along the northern bank of the river Marne, the Ger
mans pushed forward as far as Yerneuil. Northwest of Rlieims
the situation remains practically unchanged.
HONOR GAINED BY CALIFORNIA FLYER.
WITH THE A MENU ’AX ARMY IX FRANCE, June 1.—
Lieutenant Douglas Campbell, of California, with the Ameri
can aviation service in Franee, lias gained the distinction of
being the first American to he officially designated as an
* Ace,” having shot down five enemy aeroplanes, this number
being necessary to win this honor. Campbell downed his fifth
enemy plane yesterday. It is believed that Eddie Ricken
baclier. tin* former American auto racer, will be the next Amer
ican “Ace” as he is believed to have downed the requisite
number of enemy flyers, although it is not officially confirmed.
Another enemy aeroplane was downed yesterday morning by
an American flyer near St. Michael.
AMERICAN PRISONERS BRUTALLY TREATED.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IX FRANCE, dune L
A Russian prisoner from Germany, who reached American field
headquarters yesterday, asserts that he saw American prison-!
«■]*- of war in Camp Tuchel, in west Prussia. The prisoners,
asked him to tell friends that they are being treated brutally
at the hands of the Germans; that they are hungry and penni
less. Herman officers made the American prisoners disrobe
and turn their clothing over to them, saying that they would
he returned when the Americans were freed. Scanty clothing
was given the Americans in place of that taken from them.
ITALIANS GAIN IMPORTANT VICTORY.
WASHINGTON, dune 1.—A Rome dispatch to the Italian
embassy in Washington says: Italian operations against the
Austrian Hungarian armies wen' successfully carried out on
the lower Piave river, as well as in the region of Tonale. The
Italians reached their objectives at Caposile, on a front six
hundred meters-in width, causing heavy losses to the enemy.
Five hundred prisoners wen* taken, as well as a large amount
of war material. Enemy aeroplanes were also shot down. In
tin* Tonale sector, the enemy lost three thousand in killed and
wounded.
AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE SOON TO BEGIN.
ITALIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS, June 1.—The long
expected Austrian offensive will soon begin, an Italian officer
told tin* Associated Press representative yesterday. This of
ficer says the Italian armies are thoroughly prepared for the
attacks. They an* better prepared, he stated, as regards, mod
ern war material, than ever before.
GERMAN SUBMARINE IS DESTROYED.
AX ATLANTIC PORT, Juno 1.—According to authentic
information, a German submarine, lying in wait off the Irish
coast to attack transports carrying American troops across
the ocean, was rammed and sunk by a large American trans
port early this week. The vessel that destroyed the diver is
one of the largest liners in the service. It is positively known
that the liner hit the submarine amidships and cut through
it like a piece of cheese.
NUMBER OF GERMAN PRISONERS.
NEW YORK, June 1.—According to a German newspa
per received in New York, General von Wrisburg, in a recent
speech in the reichstag, declared that the number of Germans
taken prisoners up to March 31 was GG4,104. Of these, he said,
'236,000 were in prison camps in France; 119,000 in England;
57,000 in Russia and Rumania, and the remaining 152,000 were
considered dead.
ITALIANS REPULSE SURPRISE ATTACK.
ROME, June 1.—Official: Italian forces yesterday re
pulsed a surprise attack launched by the Austrians on their
positions in the Gime-Palome sector, taking some prisoners.
There was desultory fighting yesterday on the Asiago plateau.
Enemy defensive works and troop movements were effectively
bombarded by Italian artillery at Giudicaria, Val Lagarina
and Val Arsa.
CHIEF OF STAFF GIVES HIS OPINION.
"WASHINGTON, June 1.—General March, acting chief of
staff of the United States army, told the members of the senate
military committee yesterday, at the weekly conference, that
it is generally believed that the Germans have reached their
present objective, the River Marne, where they will probably
“dig in” and prepare for a later drive on Paris. He said he
believed that the Germans would now turn to an attack to the
westward, to consolidate the Aisne and Picardy battle fronts.
COMMUNIQUE FROM GEN. PERSHING.
"WASHINGTON, June 1.—General Pershing’s com
munique last night says: The American troops made a success
ful raid in the Woevre sector yesterday. Advanced positions
of the enemy were entered and destroyed. Some Germans were
taken prisoners and a number were killed. Our losses were
slight in comparison.
AERIAL RAIDS DEMORALIZING GERMANS
WASHINGTON, June 1.—The allied aerial raids on Ger
man towns is demoralizing the German people, according to
information received in Washington. It is reported that the
effect on the* German people is much greater than heretofore
indicated.
SPANISH STEAMER SHELLED.
WASHINGTON, June 1.—-The navy department has re
ceived advices telling of the shelling of the Spanish steamer
Maria Pia by a German submarine. Several passengers on
hoard were killed. The Maria Pia, though damaged, succeed
ed in reaching a Spanish port.
AMERICANS REPULSE FOUR ATTACKS.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE. June 1.—
After sharp fighting, the Americans defending Cantignv re
pulsed four separate German attacks yesterday. American
aviators downed a German aeroplane in the Toul sector yes
terday.
LARGE FRENCH GUNS CAPTURED.
BEIiLIX, June 1.—Official: \ ast quantities of war mater
ial, including' a number of large French guns, were taken by
Berman forces in the Rheims-Soissions sector yesterday. The
Bermans have captured do,000 allied prisoners since the pres
ent drive was started.
GERMAN TROOPS REACH THE MARNE.
LONDON. .Tune 1.—The British general staff last evening
told the Associated Press representatives in London that the
advance line of the German troops had reached the right bank
of the River Marne, on a ten-mile front.
GERMAN ATTACKS ARE REPULSED.
PARTS, dune 1.—Official: German attacks on the French
positions on the right bank of the Aillette river yesterday,
wore repulsed. The Germans have reached the River Marne,
light detachments having penetrated as far as the river be
tween Charleves and Jaulgonne.
EXTENDING ATTACKS EAST OF RHEIMS.
LONDON, dune 1.—Germans in the Champagne campaign
have now reached the right bank of the River Marne, on a ten
mile front. The newest development in the German operations
is an attempt to extend attacks to the east of Rheims, where
the enemy is reported to have launched an offensive last night.
AMERICANS RAID GERMAN LINES
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE, May dl.
—In the region to the northwest of 'foul, the American troops
successfully raided German lines la>t night, taking several
prisoners.
TELLS SHOPMEN WHO THREATEN WALKOUT THAT
GOVERNMENT CANNOT EE COERCED OR INTIMI
DATED, AND THAT HE EXPECTS THEM TO RE
MAIN AT WORK PENDING JUST SETTLEMENT OF
THEIR CLAIMS.
WASHINGTON, June 1.—Director of Railways MeAdoo
today reminded railway employes that they are now employes
of the- United States in time of war and that a strike at this
time means a blow at the government and the hampering of
transportation essential to the protection of hundreds of
thousands of American troops on the battle front in France.
He has sent a telegram to the heads of labor unions having
shopmen among' their members, saying that the government
cannot be coerced or intimidated. He calls on them to remain
at duty and rely upon him to adjust the railroading wage and
working conditions after a just consideration of their claims.
The warning of the director of railways is the result of
a threatened strike of the shopmen, who are demanding a sub
stantial increase in the wage scale and better working condi
tions. It is expected that the director’s appeal will result in
the calling off of the proposed strike. §
LECKARMEN, TWO MILES NORTH OF THE MARNE, IS
EXTREME POINT OF GERMAN ADVANCE —DES
PERATE FIGHTING ON OUTSKIRTS OF SOISSONS
WHICH FRANCO-BRITISH ARMIES HAVE EVAC
UATED—MAY ALSO ABANDON RHEIMS.
Summary: Slowly, but surely, the plunge of the German
erown prince’s armies in the Soissons-Rheims sector is being
iialted. While the German momentum has not been spent,
there has been a notable slackening during the day, as com
pared to activities since the beginning of the drive on this
tront. The chief efforts of the Germans are now devoted to
ward widening the gap torn in the Franco-British positions
between Pinon and Brimont. The French forces have fallen
back from the limits of Soissons and it is reported that the city
is in f lames. The battle is taking on the familiar aspect of the
invasion of France by the enemy in 1914, after breaking the
allied positions at several points. W hile defensive positions
have been abandoned by the allied armies, retirements were
made in good order and in perfect unison, and the line, as such,
has not been pierced, nor will it be pierced, according to the
best allied authorities. The Germany are again moving their
forces out in a fan-shaped figure, preparatory to further of
fensives along the entire forty-mile front in this sector, which
is the scene of the most active fighting on the entire west
front. The situation, while admitted to be extremely serious
from the allied standpoint, has not yet assumed the critical as
pect of the big offensive started March 21. It is the hope of
the allied authorities that strong forces of reserves will stay a
further advance of the enemy. In sectors held by American
troops, the enemy has been unable to make advances.
VIOLENT FIGHTING ON AILETTE RIVER.
PARIS, May 31.—Official: Violent enemy attacks on the
Ailette river forced the left flank of the allied armies to re
tire yesterday. Near Soissons and further south, the Ger
man attack was repulsed in the center. The enemy has made
a slight advance north of the Marne. By a brilliant counter
attacks. the French forces recaptured the town of Thillos, west
of Rheims. An allied counter attack in tli eAilette region fail
ed to gain its objective, and a retirement was made to posi
tions north of Bierancourt and Epagny, seven miles northwest
of Soissons.
FRENCH HOLDING THEIR POSITIONS
PARIS, May 31.—Official: The French troops have pre
vented the enemy’s progress in the western outskirts of Sois
sons. To the south the French are solidly holding the left bank
of the Osine river. The Germans are multiplying their efforts
in the direction of A iller and Tardenois. The battle continues
with undiminished violence along the whole front on the right
and to the northwest of Riieims. but the French are holding
their positions, despite desperate efforts of the Germans to
drive them out. Nineteen German aeroplanes have been de
stroyed and twenty-three have been downed since the offensive
started in this region.
BOMBARDMENT OF PARIS RESUMED
PARIS, May 31.—The bombardment of Paris by the Ger
man long range guns, which was interrupted early in the fore
noon of yesterday, was resumed at sunset last evening. One of
the shells hit a church in Paris. As the British were asked not
to bombard Goloene Wednesday, which is the day of the feast
of Forj is t hristi, offici: 1> say that the least that could be ex
pected was that Germany would have the same forbearance to
ward Paris as they asked for Colonge. Notwithstanding this,
the German long range guns kept up a steady bombardment of
Paris on this sacred day.
GERMANS USE TANKS AGAINST AMERICANS
WITH TILE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE, May 31.
—In counter attacking the American forces, in an effort to re
take Cantigny, the Germans used a large number of tanks, ac
cording to additional details.of the fighting there. The Amer
ican artillery opened a heavy fire, when the enemy infantry ap
peared in view, with such good result that the enemy tanks and
infantrymen were driven back in wild disorder. The Ameri
cans have not budged an inch since they entered the German
position at Cantigny.
EXTREME POINT OF ENEMY ADVANCE
PARIS, May 30.—The Paris newspapers say that Lechar
mel. two miles to the north of the River Marne, is in the ex
treme point of the German advance in the present offensive.
The enemy continues his rush in the south, but neither Chateau
thierry or Dormans have yet fallen.
GREEK TROOPS TAKE 1500 PRISONERS.
LONDON, June 1.—Official: On the Macedonian front,
Greek forces have gained an important victory over combined
German and Bulgarian forces. Over fifteen hundred enemy
prisoners were captured, besides large quantities of stores and
war munitions. Among the captives are thirty-three officers.
FRENCH EVACUATE SOISSONS
PARIS, May 30.—Early in the evening of Wednesday the
French forces evacuated the city of Soissons, due to the pres
sure of the German attacking hordes. The fighting continued
throughout the night, the French holding the positions on the
western outlets of the city. To the northwest of Rheims the
Franco-Britisli forces broke the assaults of the Germans, main
taining defensive positions. The allied troops tenaciously held
to their positions, awaiting the arrival of reinforcements which
are being rushed to the scene. A semi-official report says that
with the arrival of reserves the German flood would soon bfr
dammed.