East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1917-04-17
ARMIES WIN
ADVANTAGES IN GREAT DRIVE;
10000 GERMANS CAPTURED
Fighting Covers Front Of us Miles and is Biggest Military
Operation in History Three Million Men Of Two Nations
Garry War to Hindenbug Line.

LONDON. April 1.-THE greatest
offensive Of the greatest war is on to.
day. over front of one hundred
and seventy miles the Franco-B
forces are driving with all the strepgth
OF energy conserved through months
OF winter preparation. The French
movement began with a brilliant vic
tory despite the most stubborn Ger
man resistance. I-aon. one OF the most
important German supply stations Is
menaced. Haig today jammed his
forces a mile closer to Lacateiet ON
the main line comm unications be
tween Cambria and st. Quentin.
10000 TAKEN BY FRENCH.
The French troops in the depart
ments OF the Aisne and the Marns
have delivered violent infantry at
tack against the Germans over !,
front OF % miles and made import
ant gains OF Terrain and captured
more than 10000 prisoners and large
qua atities of war material.
The battle took place between Sois
sons aud Rheims. and over a distance
OF is ~ miles, from soisons TO era
onne. the entire German first line
positions fell into the hands OF Gen
araI Nivelle's forces. while east Of
Craonne. a German second line posi-
tion south OF Juvincourt and another
position on the outskirts OF Bermeri-
coe7a running along the Aisne canal
20 Iaivre and courcy also were cap
tured. violent counter attacks by the
Germans on several sectors were re-
pulsed with heavy casualties to the
attackers.
ARTIIIkltY ATTACK PRECEDED
MOVE
The artillery for several days hal
been violently shelling the entire re-
sion and Monday, while British activ-
ities along the front from Lens to 81.
quentin had almost ceased owing TO
a heavy rainfall, the French launch
ed their infantry in an endeavor to
break through or press babck the
Germans from this point OF great
strategic value. The German official
communication in briefly referring 20
the attack described IL as a great at
tempt Ia break through with a far
distant object. possibly meaning that
a successful breach of the German
lines here might necessitate the fall
ing back by the Germans along a
grenter part OF the front from Lens
To the east in Champagne, violent
artillery activity continues, probably
being the forerunner OF an attempt
by the French at a drive against the
German lines in this no less import
ant region.
LONDON THRILLED BY OF
FIcNSES.
London thrilled today with the act
ual start OF the greatest offensive. At
least three million OF Frances and
England's best troops are fighting
More guns than the world ever has
known in one operation are belchine
death over stretch OF 170 miles The
French made their greatest advances
over the Aisne line. Ten Thousand
Germans were captured. Battle front (,
dispatches indicate perfect coordina-
tion between the Franco-British I
forces.
ITALIANS IN THE GAINS.
ROME. April 17.-ltaly may be |
launching an offensive timed to catch .
the Teutons when they need men to 7
compete against the great Franco .
British push on the western front.
Advices received here from switz- !
erland reported extreme activity by
the Italian artillery on the Isonso