Evening star., 1917-04-10
Whole German Line Wavering.

Whole German Line Wavering.
These reactions by the Germans indl-
cate the Importance they attach TO TINS
position, whence the conauerors LOOK
down over the plain of Doual- WIN
yimy Ridge gone the whole German
line. covering the French towns and in
dustrial districts to the north. becomes
a wavering one, and any leisureiy re-
treat the Germans may have planned
is made uncertain and precarious.
With the capture of the famous ridge
the British made considerable strioe
along the road to Douai, while the cap
ture of the high ground northwest OF
ST. Quentin tightens the chain which
the Anglo-French forces are drawing
around that town.
A German diversion southeast OF
Ypres, according to Gen. Haig's report
met with only temporary success.
British Offensive Extends Northward
Correspondents at the front report
the nghting continuing ksenly through
out last night, with the British often.
sive gradually extending northward
there being fighting this morning In
the direction of La Bassee.
Some $50 officers are among the pris-
oners already taken, these including
five battalion commanders. Although
forty guns captured is the ofhctal
count thus far. the number is expected
to reach three figures, while quantities
of trench mortars, bomb throwers. ma
chine guns and ammunition also have
been captured.
The Germans destroyed great quanti-
ties of supplies at the last minute to
h.
The weather continues bitterly cold
with snow flurries, but the British
forces are clad in sheepskins and are
The news of the successful opening
of the new British offensive has stirred
intense interest and high hope among
the people throughout the country
Whatever the enemy may have claimed
as to the retreat in the Somme sector
having been prearranged and strategi-
cal. it is contended that their recoil
Lens region cannot be explained away
in anv such manner 1t is urged that
there is no possible voluntary element
IN TINS retlremen. ana that mere car
be no dispute as 10 VINO look the lhiei-
=. a.. 4,
A new chapter in the conf1lct on the
western front has begur. ana Whetner
or not 1t is to prove the beginning OF a
decisive battle. it is bound. according
to the prevalent opinion here. to lead
to results of the highest Importance
The main feature of the battle thus far
on which attention has been focused
is the capture of Vimy ridge. The i'm
mense value of this series of heights
which dominate the plain from an ele-
walton of 400 to 500 feet, has been rec
oenized throughout the war and great
fable if they resulted in its possession
Fierce Battles in 1915.
r,o Erenob and Germans fought
fiercely for control OF the rldge IN the
summer of 1915. both sides sunering
heavy losses, but in the end the Ger
mans held the main portion Of the po-
sition. Later the British took over the
French line and were ousted by the
Germans from the part OF the rldge
which had been won by their preoeces-
sors.
One military critic, commenting on
ha+,,a +bus dascribes the
ehe present
Importance OF the Nimy nelsnls:
They are admittedly the paStion OF
tne enemy 1io,,aa ~ ba S.Id
else has been alloWeo 70 go ne neIo
Vimy ridge with grim resolve anu laH
ished upon II an the aI,s III iol .iio
tions ana defensive shii ~ t.is W.
has taugnt ,an MN of tbe Tpo1 enemvs s retreat
in the west. Win my nitit hIu a..
can swing MS iihe iarthei + sou.n STOW, ny
back uhtll each pale -, 80 - IA