The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1917-03-15
Can Take Bapaune
Any Time They De-
sire, Say Officers.
GENERAL RETREAT
Of Germans In West Begun,
say Entente Aviators.-
Berlin Claims Repulse.

Nflom SlaH correspondent ASSO-
ciated Prcss)
British Headquarters in France,
March 13.-(Nia London, March 14)
The ridge overlooking Bapaume
from the onrthwest, witch came TO be
looked upon by the British as sort
of promised land ever since the battle
of the Somme began last July, pass
ed into the hands OF General laig's
troops today.
For the nrst time since the great
struggle on this front opened the
British have the advantage OF this
highest ground ana can now look
down on the German stronghold and
The wide extent of country beyond.
British officers believe they are
now in a position to take 3apaume
whenever the word is given. Grell-
villers was captured last night am
the new British lines stretch along
the ridge which runs northwest from
that point to theoutskilts OF Achlet
lie Petit. a point still strongly held
by the Germans.
In this latest movement the Brit
ish took possession OF the noted
Lonpart weed, consisting OF great
clrlnvs OF trees situated on the
shoulder of high ridge and over
looking the entire Somme battlefront
Its capture has been source OF the
highest satisfaction TO the British
staff as it was one of the most for
midaDle artillery positions the Ger
mans had established in this war
theater.
SAY Germans Weaken.
paris. France.-Great Importance
is attached by French military writ
ers 10 the continued British successes
on the Somme. The Matih says lhat
it looks very much as if the Germans
do not think they coul hold Bapau1he
and Peronne any longer ana are pre-
pairing to evacuate the Two clties.
Reports from aNiators SHOW that
all along the lines the Germans are
blowing up bridges and culNerts'
burning provisions and munltlohs,
while trying to mask the Wihdra"al
of their heavy guns by firing nero
guns. German headquarters on the
Somme front, it is said, have been
moved back ten miles.
Beat Back Destroycis
Amsterdam Netherland-ty Lon
dom A battle between German sea
nlanes and Russian destroyers IN the
Black sea is reported in statenlehl
given out by the German war o1hce.
The destroyers We're approachlhs
Constanza. the Russian port, ana
forced TO retire. the statement says
after bombs had been dropped on
them bv the seaplanes. One destroy
or is said to have been hit twice.
Report British Loss
Berlin. Germany. lWireless to say
ville /. I)-British troops on the
somme front attacked the German
lines Yesterday afternoon and aI
night in the Ancre sector, the war OIL
flee announced today.
They were repulsed with heavy
Hindcnbcry Directs Retreat
London. England. German
withdrawal on d great scale on lile
Western front is ioreshadowed by
Major Moraht in an article IN tne
Berliner Tageblatt which is quoted IN
a Rotterdam dispatch to the Dally
News Major Moraht recalls fleld
Marshall Won Hindenberg's strategy
against the Russians at Iannepefs'
when he caused parts of his army 10
retire fighting in order to gain ample
space for strategical movements.
The military critic reminds ms
readers that Field Marshall Won HIN
denberg is now operating in the west
and saws that by shortening their
present front the Germans are giving
their enemies desert TO advance
overa ground as bad as ever
tobtipo orOund WAS
Expect Pope TO Protest.
Paris France The pope has de
cided 10 pronounce an important al
locution of the papal consistory TO DC
held the last of this month, accord
ing to dispatch from Rome. the
dispatch says that it is understood
the pope's pronouncement VIII aea
entirely with the war and that IL Il
reuorted i'm Vatican circles that tue
. pontiff will protest against the uh
{ restricted submarine ampaisn.