The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-03-23
FRENCH GAIN
ADVANTAGE IN
D.. EARLY STAGES
Germans Elect to Make Defense
of Lafere Along Route Of
Crozat Canal
DECISIVE MANEUVER ON
LINE FROM LILLE TO LAoN
Victory Depends Largely Upon
Speed With Which Allies
Can Advance Artillery
ASSOCIATED 'Press.)


The initial phase OF the big battle
which has opened in northern France
has evidently turned in favor of the
French, who are reported 10 have
forged their way across the Ailette
river and the CroZat canal at several
points. Along these waterways the
Germans elected to make their first
stand in defense of Lafere, toward
which General Neville is rushing his
advance troops in desperate effort
TO break the Hindenberg line before
the German defense is consolidated.
Batter Way to Laon.
Further south, the French are at
tempting to batter their way toward
LaOn. but between them and their
goal lie the great forests Of Coucy
and st. GObain and the comparatively
meagre advances reported from Paris
indicate that the issue Is still very
much in doubt. Some ground has
been gained northeast OF Scissors, but
the fact that the French report hav-
the Germans is an intfinatiOn that
the invaders are holding this section
in force.
TO Give Battle. 1o .s,r .
French refugees from the devastat.
ed wilderness over which the Ger
mans have passed add their evidence
to the accumulated clue that Field
Marshal Won Hindenberg's purpose is
to give battle to his pursuers on a
line running from Lille to Laon. This
means that, in the event of the French
further withdrawal Of the Germans
is due to take place on the British
front. The sharp salient running
from Arras to Cambria must be evac-
uated and, in support of this assump-
tion, London reports explosions and
incendiary fires in the district about
Arras. This additional retirement
would mean the evacuation of about
504 square miles of French territory,
including the great coal mines around
Lens.
The whole question at present ap-
pears to be whether the Allies can
move their heavy artillery fast enough
so as to strike smashing blow at the
Germans before the latter can effect.
lively organize their positions. Mill.
tary critics in Paris and London be.
lieve that a few days will decide this
question .irE -...~a .' .-
French Repulsed.
Engagements developed last night
between the Disc and the Aisne west
and south of Margival, in which at
tacks by strong forces of French |
troops were repulsed with heavy loss
eS. @E ',s
The French continued to advance
north of Scissors. Fresh detach-
ments crossed the Ailette.
- The statement says details which
have been received regarding the at
tack by the Germans on the Vregny-
Chivres lines show that they suffered |
heavy losses. Two companies of
French Chausseurs, which were isO-
lated for moment from the remain
der of the troops cut their way
through and brought back prisoners.
captives &c Reprisais.
Omitted press.)
Lausanne, Switzerland, March %.
Germany has sent many of her cap
tives to the front line of battle as
reprisals. according to statement
issued by the International Red Cross
society today The statement said
the Red Cross are endeavoring to dis
cuodo Cormanv frnr, S,,oh forun -