Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-05-10
GERMANS POURING "a
in THOUSANDS OF
MEN TO STOP HAlG
English Make Further In
roads on Teutorls' Line
at Bullecourt
FRENCH PREPARE
FOR BIG DRIVE
Hindenburg Withdrawing
Men and Guns From
East for Big Stand.
(By Associated Press.)

While today's Official reports throw
little additional light on the situation
around Fresnoy, where the heaviest
fighting in the Arras battle occurred
this week, they revealed important
gains for the British and French at
other points on the front in northern
France.
London's announcement Of Bridsh
progress south Of the souchez river
means q further pushing back of the
German line Immediately south Of
Lens. Tightening the hold of the nip
pers which the British are applying
to this important Industrial town and
coal district.
Further 1moads ON Germans.
Further inroads also have been
made upon the German positions near
Just west Of its point Of junction with
tho Queant-Drocourt switch. whore
the Germans, although reported near
ly surrounded, are stubbornly clinging
to the town.
Far to the south on tho BritisS
front. two miles north Of 81. Quentin.
General Hatg's troops have pushed
eastsrward from Gricourt. They are
right atop the st. Quentin-Cambrai
road at this point.
French Prepare for Pusk.
Tho French, like the British. have
made no new general attacks. bat
they likewise are delivering . thrust
here and there and making valuable
headway in preparing the ground for
the next push. One Of these objective
local operations was carried ont last
in force had been repulsed nor<31West,
Of Craonne. A fortified point o& sup
port near Chevfeaux was captured in
this advance.
In another operation just TO the
west, on the Vauclerce pla&eAux
northern slopes. the recent rNnch
gains were enlarged and prhonsss
Fresnoy Battle Terrific. y
The battle otrifs1hoy c6ntinues to
rage with = f.ry which recalls ths
and Vaux in tho days Of the battle Of
Verdun. Thousands of lives are being
poured out for the mastery Of the lit
tie heap of ruins that was once . VII
lage and the blackened, blasted
stumps that were once q wood until
Fresnoy threatens to rank with vlny
in the price paid for Its possession.
Last Important Defense S.
Tho great importance Of tho posi-
ton is due to the fact that it forms
the last important defense to the
line and also covers the only remain
ing railroad to Lens. connecting the
coal city with the main German line
to the south. The Drocourt-Queant
! lines traverse one side of a railroad
triangle which has Lens. Arras and
Vitry at its respective angles. All Of
one side Of this roughly equi1ateral
| triangle is in the hands of the British
and about one-half OF its base. Fres-
noy must be held il the whole triangle
is not to be evacuated and the fall
of Lens rendered certain.
Withdraw Forces From East.
The enormous concentration Of
German division on the British front
and the marked increase In gunpow
der give added significance to the re-
ports that Field Marshal Won linden
burg is withdrawing both men and ar
tillery from the eastern area. The
disorganization Of the Russian army
apparently has had a very serious ef
feet on the whole allied situation and
has materially Increased the burdens
imposed on the French and British.
The news from Russia is far from re-
assuring in any respect and apparent
ly the provisional government still is
in precarious position.
There are no marked developments
in the other war theaters. Fighting
on the Macedonian front goes on
rigal camps. but nothing as vet to tell
whether a movement in force is under
way. Desultory fighting is reported
from the Italian front, but Rome gives
no sign that a resumption OF q drive
on Triest Is in prospect.
French Capture Position.