Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-23
May Strike Decisive
Blow on West Front.

may oek Inc OCClDlVC
Blow on West Front. srn 80.
There is every reason to think that IL
they succeed in the present war their
chief gain will be on the western front
and not in the east or the Balkans.
England and France have centered
their millions of troops on the western
line. Russians have been transported
thousands of miles to help in this
arena 1t now is declared that the
Italians will dispatch a large army to
aid in the offensive which now Ia
under way. Both Paris and London
attention on the western front. Not
withstanding the fact that the Russians
have more men in arms. they have a
Consequently the greatest driving
power of the entente may be
said to rest from Flanders to
the Vosges. The Germans know this
Teutonic fighting forces has been as
sembled to meet allied aggression in
these regions. 1t may be argued that
the allies are committed to the re-
habilitation of Serbia and Montenegro.
but so are they pledged to the restora-
ton of Belgium. They also know that
victory is to be achieved by military
might and not sheer exhaustion on the
part of the central powers. All aspira-
tions can be realized by scoring sue
cesses in the west.
Thus 1t is that the greatest interest
OF the whole war has been centered in
this arena, where the allies, after ter
rifle struggles are slowly pressing the
Germans backward-not far-but back
ward nevertheless. Furthermore pres
ent operations but foreshadow greater
ones.
Although the German Official reports
continue TO claim repulse for the ma
jority of the French and British at
lacks on both sides of the Somme, a re-
gion which is fast becoming the chief
battle-ground along the western front.
with those of last week and the one
previous. plainly show material ad-
vances in the Somme region. Chief
gains have been registered by the Brit
the French south of the river between
Soyecourt and Barleux where five miles
OF Teutonic trenches have been con-
quered. mile more has been gained
on the line north of Peronne
The struggle which has been raging
during the past week has been intense
night and
British and Teutons day at one
in Fiercest Fighting. o o " T r
bitterest fighting. however, that Of more
important character, has gone on be-
tween the British and the Teutons at
the point where Gen. Haig continues to
push forward in the direction of Ba-
paume Longuevai-and at the point to
the northwest known as the Delville
wood. Early in the week the British
routed the Germans from Longueval
and the woods. but under the weight Of
German reinforcements the British were
forced to fall back after a hard fight.
This reverse. however, was but short
set forth to the task at hand and COM
pletely expelled the Germans. This
gain was enlarged during the latter
part of the week. and the British forces
IRE declared to be facing the third line
Of German trenches. Farther to the
" westward in the general direction OF
Ovillers there has been some vicious
fighting, but the British
show no signs of disseminating their
task. and as q consequence have
stermed several sections of German
which were important in their
general scheme of odeAse and defeHse-
the British successes at this point now
bring grave menace to the strong Ger.
should Gen. Haig be able to storm tbs
1conHnaed On Seventh Fase.)
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