The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-26
Germany Now Suffering Her
Most Appalling Losses in At
tempt to Stop British
Drive.
CARNAGE IS TERRIBLE
Wall Of Living Human Beings Set UP
to be Blown to Bits, by
Cannon Of
England.


now suffering her most appalling
losses of the war in the desperate
endeavors of her army staff to stop
the British drive by sheer weight OF
human masses opposing 1t. North OF
the Scarpe river today, where the
British fought ahead almost inch by
inch in the face of great masses or
men, the carnage was greater than
that suffered by the enemy since the
war started.
Front dispatches today carried the
idea that the Germans, realizing no
trench works could stand against the
dwelling fire Of the British artillery,
were seeking to make a wall OF NV
ing human beings against the ad-
vance. Into the closely packed troops
opposing, the British fire did terrific
work. Thousands of mangled bodies
are flung over the battle field along
the Scarpe, mostly Germans. Inc
British losses have been exceeding
ly low, considering the ferocity OF the
fighting.
That the terrible mortality Of the
German troops Is undermining their
morale is apparent by statements OF
prisoners. The German troops-al of
them picked divisions-are literally
driven into the fighting line now,
Those who survive the deadly ac-
curacy of the British artillery fire
and the pounding Of the British in
fantry attacks are exceedingly glad
to be taken prisoner.
Today it appeared that the British
and the enemy were deadlocked to
the north of the Scar2e. The drive
toward Douai along this line was be-
ing opposed with the Germans every
resource. To the south however, the
British pressure could not be resist
ed and they were slowly moving for
ward.
Today's War Map.
by Perry Arnold, United Press Staff
Correspondent
NEW YORK, April 26.-The forty
third day of the great British offen-
sive and the tenth day of General
Nivelle's drive of his French forces,
is developing everywhere alcng the
great western front the fiercest fight
ing of the war. Germany's army
chiefs everywhere were hurting great
masses of their men against the
French and British today.
Both London and Paris statements
today were exclusively devoted to
counter attacks. British front dis
patches revealed a practical standstill
north Of the Scarpe river where the
British and Germans were locked in
death grips. Haig reported repulse
of German counter attacks on Cav
relle.
General Nivelle's statement re-
vealed the greatest efforts by Ger
trponc RI "a ok fha EIanc,,
wedge which has crumbled the south
ern base of the Hindenburg line.
Most violent Of all these violent at
taclts, and the most carefully organ
lied, was the drive south of Laon,
around Cerny. 1t was delivered on
a front of a mile and a half in two
powerful smashes-both of which
were nevertheless repulsed. The same
effort to relieve Laon from French
pressure was responsible in attacks
on Vauclere plateau and the Ladies
Highway.
The French front withstood other
counter attacks Of varying intesnity
along practically its entire line.
Busy at One Point.
LONDON, April 26.-Germany is
not likely to attempt any big offens-
ives on the Russian or italian fronts
as long as she is Kept busy on the
western front, in the opinion of Cen
eral B. B. Maurice, director of oper-
ations
eff the allies are unable to keep
their hands full in the west" he said,
"other offensives will undoubtedly re
suit. The present ally attacks differ
from the battling on the Somme by
reason of the continuous flow of guns
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