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Show I LONDON, Aug. 3. Tho German retreat re-treat 1b general on all three sides of tho salient conquered by the Germans In May and the allies are pressing close on the heels of the retreating enemy, says Reuter's correspondent at French, headquarters telegraphing at 11 o'clock Friday night. After the fall of Soissons, the correspondent cor-respondent adds, French headquarters received the names of villages and woods re-occupied by the allies with almost monotonous regularity. "Pless'ier wood," he continues, "which abuts the Soissons-Chateau Thierry road, was turned early in the day and the defenders surrounded. This wood was the center of the enemy resistance and the fight for It was extraordinarily bitter. Farther north the British troops crossed the SolBsons-Chateau-Thierry road and, pressing through, tho Conrols wood, were soon more than a mile east of Vlllemontolre. LONDON, Aug. 3. The Germans are executing a local retirement to the east bank of tho Ancre, In the region of Albert, on a front of three or four j miles, according to news received In London today. On the northern end of the plateau to the southeast of Soissons the French have advanced from Vcnizel to a point south of the Bralne on the Voslo. The advanco Is continuing on the lino further to tho east. The French after completing their occupation of Soissons have occupied tho southern bank of tho Aisne between be-tween Pommieres and Venlzel, a distance dis-tance of approximately 56 miles, advices ad-vices received today shows. On the easterly side of the Solssons-Rhelms Solssons-Rhelms front the lino to which the allies al-lies have advanced runs, according to tho latest advices from. Serzy-et-Prin and Sivigny, both in the Ardrc valley, to tho highest point on the plateau between be-tween the Ardro and the Ve3le and thence to Hosnay, Gueux and Thillois and on to the Vesle at St, Brice which is on the original line. The German hold on the west bank of the Ancre In this region has been precarious and it seems to be tenable only If It were intended to bo made use In the starting of an offensive. The retirement appears to indicate the abandonment ab-andonment of any attempt at an offensive offen-sive In that quarter at present. Burning villages In the area north of the Vesle river between Muzon and St. Thierry, Indicate that a further withdrawal of tho German force is Intended. In-tended. Fourteen largo fires have been observed. Tho important center of Fismes is in flames and there are great conflagations in two villages to the northwest of that town. The retirement of tho forces of the German crown prince now appears to be very rapid. There has not been a great deal of fighting and it Is unlikely that any large captures of prisoners will be reported. re-ported. East of Rhelms French forces have made an Important recovery of ground near St Hilalre. nn |