The Washington herald., 1917-04-21
Manned BIZ Dad Germsn..


when after a series Of assaults that
were checked by the bitter defense, the
French finally carried the system Of
trenches that formed their objectives,
they found them manned by dead Ger
mans. Dead men stopped as they had
died in the pits. or sat in the bottom.
where they had croUched. vsinly seeking
shelter from the eErth-disrupting shell
Ere.
Smashing ahead toward Laon. the main
strategic aim Of Gen. NiveIle's drive. the
French today took by storm the village
OF Sancy, thus Strengthening out their
front from Lafieux on the west 10 Jouy
on the east Midway between those two
points they face the formidable fort OF
Halmaison.
Teuton Counter Drive.
To the east OF Ssncy the French today
were subjected TO one OF the most furl-
Gus neutCn counter drives delivered sincs
the spring operations began. For hours
and hours the German guns had fore
shadowed IL. until finally at O'Clock to-
night the Teuton infantry stCrEned forth
along the line OF Allies and Hurteboise.
The first attacking waves were met ~
a murderous French fire and the assaI-
anus NtIt ANeFHlly cut 10 pieces.
In q series OF brilliant bayonct charges
the French wrested several important
positions from the Germans in the Cham
payne to the east OF Rheims. in the Mo-
ronYillers sector.
Magic Phrase Flashed.
"siegfried Line" Is the ruagic flashed
across the German empire today
After nearly a week OF deep anriaty.
the Teutons streaming back steadily be-
fore the French onslaughts following the
enforced Withdrawal far 20 the north
before the Canadians. the German peo-
pie heaved a great Ssh OF relief. for the
Berlin war Office bulletin Informed them
that the occupation OF this ''SIegfred
line" which has been long under con
struction. ended yesterday" having be-
gun last Monday. when General NiveIle's
forces struck their mighty initial blows
Siegfried. the name OF the bold youth
OF legendary fame, is a household word
in Germany. The story OF the boy who
vent forth from his fathers castle TO
see the world who killed a dragon and
who oathed in his victims blood. which
rendered him invulnerable.. is one Of the
nrst sagss read by every German child.
No one here doubts that today's an
nouncement that the Ksiser's lcgions now
stand on the line bearing that name cleo
N-NAASN NAAN -NAANAAE anu INhAAAlEA lhALn
and fervor.
Gut the Fre1Ch. not ps0sluE for a
moment in their drive. demons trsted last
night and thrl ughout today that they
mean TO dispcl the legend and sweep
away even this new formidable line
Familiar with saga.
They. too. are familiar with the IA
nous Saga. and remember that a tiny
spot Cn Siegfried's back was left un-
touched by the dragons blood. in which
he bathed-the SPOT through which
Hegen later thrust his sword. That vul-
nersble spot the French propose 70 ind.
Though less spectacular and sweeping
than their progress OF the last few days,
last nights and today's advance OF the
French was steady and OF great impor-
lance. In their development movement
directed against Lson. one Of their
strategic detectives. where the '-SisE-
fried line" Joins the "Hindenburg line. q"
Gen. Nivelle's forces smashed on north
CONTINUED on rAGE TWO.