The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-23
FRENCH EXACT
TERRIBLE TOLL
a FROM GERMANS
Week Most Disastrous Tor Teu-
tons of Entire War.
10000 Prisoners, 100 Guns,
II 100000 Casualties.
RECOVER 20 LARGE TOWNS
Only Starter OF French Steam
Roller Campaign.
LaOn and MOrOnviIlers Heights
i- Now Key Positions.
RECOVER 20 LARGE TOWNS
Only Starter of French Steam
Roller Campaign.
by HENRY WOOD.

With the French Armies in the
Field, April 23.-Germany has just
gone thru the most disastrous week
for her in the history of tie war
Today. on the weeks anniversary OF
the great French drive, the Fren%n
army staff permits me TO say that tIle
coming seven days are hkely 70 u IN
Franco British offensive The fisht-
ing which is now in progress Is Oh
tremendously vital Importance:
since Monday a week ago, When tnS
great French offensive began Gen 1i-,i
NiveIie's forces have accomplished
this: ,,
Capture of more than one nun
dred guns from the Germans.
Taking of 900 German prison
ers. III
occupation of twenty large VII
lages-not including hamlets-
RetakinE of about nifty square
miles of French territory.
Inflicted losses in KILLED, WOUNDED
and missing on the Germans con-
servatively estimated at lOO,Uuu.
Two Battles Raging.
Two great battles were raging TO-DAY
one is along the Chemin des pames-
"tbe ladies' road"-dominating Loan
- the nIateau: the other around
Moronvillers heights, dominating the
northern Champagne plalLs.
Altho the French attacks are against
the two strongest positions heid py the
Germans on the entire western front NJ
General Nivelles men have already
won strong foothoids. Moreover. they
are charging these footholds.
The fighting which was in progress
today supersedes in importance any
actions on the entire western 'front.'
At any moment newer and more I'M
nortant situations may be created.
While the German disaster or the
mast week has been tremendous, new
ertheless the weeks fighting is only
the first stage of an entire action
planned by the French. The Aisne-
Champagne front comprises only one
portion of the great Franco-Brltlsh
offensive. That offensive now extends
over at least 1875 miles Every oper-
alton undertaken on the vast front is
inter-related.
Wipe Out Seven Divisions.
The estimate of German losses is
based OF the number of prisoners TAX
en- and special information obtained
by the French staff. One hundred
thousand men is the equivalent of
seven German divisions, as they are
now constituted-three regiments to
the division.
1t should be emphasized that the
figures listed above are for the French
drive alone. They do not include the
achievements of the British offensive
l5ut aS1Oe from IHe COlu III vi
German losses, the French have
achieved something more-it is an in
tangible result of far more import
ance. That is a Generalization of the
German morale and proof of the su-
perior strategy of the French staff.
French Strategy Wins.
First. General Nivelle definitely
wrested from German Field Marsha
Won Hindenburg the initiative of the
war operations. NiVelle forced Hin
denburg to fight from trenches which
the French CHIEF hao
himself previously chosen.
Second, Nivelle has forced linden
burg to throw in the Aisne battle his
much Wanted strategy reserve
army" He cannot now employ this
force in strateSical positions on the
western front.
Since last Monday. Hindenburg ha:
been forced to throw twenty of these
divisions into the Aisne-Champagnt
battle line Seven have already beer
completely wiped out
Coupled with the tremendous losses
which the British offensive has inflict
ed. Hindenburg is now facing complete
exhaustion of reserves. He cannot fill
up his army and strengthen decimatec
divisions.
Holds All Positions.
The week of the French offensive
ends with General Nivelle everywhere
i'll the ascendency with Hindenburg7
boosted strategic plans awry. During
the sever days besides steady advance!
by the French, every German counter
attack has been broken down.
The second week of the French of
fensive begins with the French &C
cupying strong positions-all of which
they have won in the fiercest sort o
fighting and which will now permit ia
vorable development in future opera
lions.