The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-04-13

I have been one reason. Then the Ger
mans moved against the line south
OF the Disc. which they had been
pounding on Monday. The French
withdrew slightly. to make their line
conform to the Ailette river, and held
nrm there. Meanwhile the Germans
opened up with their artillery around
Armsntieres, far to the north OF the
old battlefield.
On Wednesday they launched their
infantry attacks in the Armentieres
district. to the north OF Arras which
marked the northern end OF the
Picardy battlefield. while they con-
tinued their artillery fire in the old
district. The battle line was thus
extended to a total length Of about
$50 miles. with the infantry attacks
confined to the northern 80 miles OF
it. They drove against the ruined
village OF Armentieres trying to flank
Il on both sides. and had a fair meas
ure OF success. placing Armentieres
in 3 salient, which was open to fire
on both sides.
British Withdraw.
On Thursday the British withdrew
from this salient OF Armentieres,
lighting as they left. The district
was SO soaked with gas that the Ger
mans we're unable to occupy it. The
fight for Messines ridge, captured
more than q year ago by the Cana
dams, was then begun. This is a
high ridge that dominates the
Flanders plain. and the slaughter Of
the Germans was terrific as they
moved against the entrenched Brit
tsh. The struggle for this ridge has
been one Of the bIoodiest features Of
the entire battle. Time and again
the Germans have gained a foothold
and have been driven out again. This
battle stiu continues.
On Friday the infantry attacks
were confined chiefly to the northern
end OF the line. with the struggle for
the Messines ridge continuing. The
British are exacting q terrible price
for the position, and it is by no means
sure that the Germans win get it.
They won't unless they are prepared
TO pay far more than it is worth.
"Thsy Shall Not Pass"
That sums up the situation as il
was Friday night. The Germans
have been hurting themselves against
an iron cage. Some Of the bars have
bent but the cage is intact, and the
Gagged beast is bleeding from many
wounds and choosing a spot for his
next mad attempt. If he can break
through. his prize win be the channel
ports, not Paris. But 'they shall not
pass. They are less likely TO
pass now than they were three weeks
ago.
Meanwhile time is on the side Of
the Allies. for at last Americans are
going to their assistance in consider
able numbers. The rate OF transport
has been tripled. Nobody knows how
many Americans are in France now.
It can't be less than 100000. It may
be much more than that. Under the
new plan Of brigading these men with
the French and British units. the
period OF training fs greatly shorten
ed, and within thirty days hair a mil
lion Americans should be at the front,
either In the thick OF the battle, or
relieving veteran French and British
troops on other parts Of the line. II
the Germans continue their assaults,
the next sixty days may decide the
war.
The submarine figures for the week
were most encouraging. and show
that the naval offensive has also died
down. or else that the submarines
are concentrating ON American
transports in the hope Of preventing
the arrival Of reinforeements. only
six vessels were sunk. four Of them
above the 1900 ton mark It Is the
lowest total but one for the entire
period of unrestricted warfare.
Germans and Turks are reported to
have begun a counter offensive in
Palestine. but no details Of the fight
ing have been received