Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-26
TAKEN TO BE AN EFFORT
TO REACH FRENCH COAST
Gen. Won Hindenburg Said % Be in
Command of the German
Offensive.
REPORT HAS KAISER ON WAY
Public Amazed That Enemy Has
Forestalled the Long-Discussed
Spring Drive by the
Allies.

LONDON. April a6. 1920
p.m.-What some military critics
are inclined to pronounce the
greatest battle OF the war is
now under way on the User canal.
Official reports are both meager
and contradictory. but it general
lv is believed in London that the
Germans again are making des-
perate efforts to break through to
the French channel ports Some
such recrudesoence OF the German
offensive has been anticipated by
the war experts, but this move
ment. forestalling the long g-pre-
dicted allied offensive. comes as
distinct shock to the general
public.
German Attack In Force.
The German statement issued in Rer-
All loudS heS Ho spcSitS eidiHis a.
to further territory conquered. but de-
scribed attacks in which it is said
large numbers Of prisoners were taken.
including 1000 Canadians. The Belgian
had been reca ptured is characterized AZ
untrue
The official Paris statement gives
few details of the fighting in Belgium.
by the British.
The German attack is developing
with great force over large part Of
the western front. Berlin announces
the recapture Of Hartmans Weller
kopf. In the mountains near the east
ern end of the line. which the French
took recently after several weeks OF
fighting. On the heights of the Meuse
a severe battle has begun.
Effort an Important One
1t is impossible as yet to get clear
idea of the extent of the German move
ment. but some special dispa tches TO
London papers describe it i'm
poTldHt tndt Inc are even
credited with bringing Field Marshal
Won Hindenburg from the east to con-
duct the operations. and Emperor Will
liam himself is reported as proceeding
to the User front.
A semi-offcial statement issued at
Paris last night seeks to minimize the
Importance of the victory the Germans
claim to have won at Laneemarch.
which, il asserts, occurred only on
front of four kilometers tahout two
and a half miles) out OF a total front
of 900 klometers ,about 6oU m'leSJ,
and accuses the Germans OF magnify
ing their success in order to influence
neutral countries.
May Be Greatest Battle.
In London, however, the greatest i'm
portance is attached to those opera
tions. The Times military correspond
ent this morning says:
Some think that this will he the
greatest battle of the war. but the AL
lies are we'll prepared to meet amy Ger
man offensive in this quarter. and 1t
need not be considered that Their" :
most danger where there - most
noise
me Times correspondent ia north
ern France says:
The second battle of Flanders has
begun The enemy has been long care
fully preparing for il. and was bldih-
his time. waiting for a farorabie mo-
ment to develop his attack 8nt o".
unexpected capture Of hill No 81 hai
a double effect. upsettlng the enein>
calculations and compelling him TO
postpone. If not abandon. his contenl-
plated attack on the British position
and to disclose his hand in a premature
attack on the French lines 10 The
north.
Reports Severe Fighting.
AMSTERDAM. via London, April 26.
The Telegraaf correspondent at Eou-
lers reports severe fightinG Oh the ltne
of Moorslede and Ianschendache. IN
Belgium, near poelcappelle and Lange-
marck. with numerous wounded and
killed Near Moorslede, great mill
tary cemetery has been located where
thousands already are buried. Tine
killed Near Moorslede great mill
wounded. German field artillery is
posted south of Moorslede. with six
horses for each gun in constant readi-
ness to move to another place owing
to the successful reconnoitering of the
allies airmen. The heavy guns are
north of Moorslede.
From its Bruges correspondent the
TeIeeraaf learns that the people expect
a new strong attempt by the Germans
to cross the User. in order to force their
way to F'urnes and Dunkirk. Red Cross
trains some of thirty carriages, were con-
stantly passing Bruges with wounded all
week. almost without interruption. Be
tween the User and Bruges the allies air
attacks are Of daily occurrence. and many
soldiers have been killed in the fiat coun-
try.
AIr,,o,,e pueo S,,ceessffl
According to the Telegraars Client cor
respondent. airmen recently appeared
above Gontrode. east Of Client. and were