The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1918-03-21

biaaest attack Germany has hurl-
ed against the western front In
three and one-half years OF war
fare. on a front of more than 30
miles, the armed hosts Of democ-
racy are fighting furiousiy with
the forces of Prussianism and
what may be the decisive strug-
ale in the great war is raging in
northern France.
In their first onslaught, the en-
enny, after a gigantic bombard-
ment from great masses of guns
passed the British outposts at
some point and obtained the battle
line but nowhere did the Germans
oain the objective points. Regl-
ment after regiment was hurled
AGAINST the defensive Of the Brit
ish front and Field Marshall halg
reports the German losses as
exceptionally heavy.
This desperate onslaught con-
tjnues all, along the line from tho
Seine to the Oise and especially in
the cambrai sector. Enemy efforts
before Cambrai were aimed prin-
cipaIIy to the north and south Of
the salient, left after the fighting
seige there last November with
the evident purpose of cutting off
the line and driving through the
opening towards the old battle
field of the Scmms
Germany's latest offensive finds
both sides preoared for the pro-
Ionged and sangufnary combat.
For months the Germans have
been training troops for moving
up again and supplies behind the
lines between Arras and Quen-
tine. The British also have been
active and were prepared for any
blows the enemy might decide
upon.
Behind the British lines is the
devastated area over which the
Germans retreated last March.
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg
declared at the time that the de-
yastation was carried out not
only to hamper the allied armies
but to prepare battle field for
the future. The German attacks
may only be feint but large
breach in the British lines might
involve the safety OF Paris and
Amiens and the French battle
forces from the mouth OF the
Seine to Belgium.
German artillery fire also has
been intense on the front north
of LaCalIne canal and In the Ypres
sector in Flanders. On the French
front the Germans have carried
minor attacks northeast Of verdun
and Lorraine. French troops re-
pulsed both attempts with losses.
British monitors and naval
forces made combined attack on
Ostend, Belgium, German aerial
and submarine base, and British
seaplanes have attacked enemy
sweepers near .le&golend wl>h
machine gun fire. In the attack
on Cstend British airmen broUgh'
down five German machines while
the monitors bombarded the towr
heavily.
Germany, according to offlcia
reports from the Hague consid
ers that the attitude of HolIant
toward the Anglo-American ship
pinq demand has changed the re.
lation between the German ant
Dutch government. The same re-
port says that Germany woutt
take it as part of war If Hollan,
should abandon her remaining de-
mands regarding the use of thes
Dutch ships by the United State
and Great Britain.
Drive Commences.
British Armv Headquarters In Fra
March 21.-(By the Associated Pre-
The Germans this forenoon launche
heavy attack against the British II
over a wide front in and near the ca
brai sector, and the assault bears
the earmarks OF being the beginr
of the enemy's much.heralded :
fensive.
Hard fighting is preceding near
point Of Lagnicourt southward
Gauche wood, Just below 0ouze
court. The attack was preceded b
heavy bombardment from guns Of
caiibers and the duel between the
posing heavy batteries has been ro
ing the countryside for hours.
The Germans have employed
shells freely and a constant stream
high-veIocity shells have been bre
ina with conclusions far back of
British lines.
The bombardment began In ear
at 8 O'Clock this morning as the {
mans hurled themselves on the q
ish front line trenches north OF
nicourt and louveral, the latter p
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