American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-03-26

lsh gave way somewhat. In fact. all
OF the first line trenches were In Ger
man hands before the end OF the sec
ond day from La Fere 20 Arras. but
the possession OF these advanced lines.
which had been lightly held. was not
In itself significant. IL was only when
the Germans began TO press on be-
yond Croisilles on the north and TO
Increase their gains at the south. that
the situation OF the British became
grave. for then Il was a question not
merely OF surrendering trench lines
but entire zones OF e~ntrenched works.
At the end OF the second day the Off
cial communication issued In Berlin
said that the Teutons had taken 200
guns and 10000 prisoners.
General Haig. In his statement,
avoided details, but took pains TO men
ton the exceptional %gallantry OF the
Twenty-f0urth division IN a protract-
ed defense OF La Verguier, OF the Fifty
nrst division on the Baupaume-Cam-
bral road. and Of the Third division at
CroiBilles.
II was on Friday that the British
lines began 10 give way between q
Quentin and La Fere. Here the crown
prince was commanding, and II is like
~ that the kaiser and his staff were
with him.
The first day had carried the enemy
forward several miles. On the second
day OF the battle he began pushing in
to trench systems and permanent
works three miles and more behind
his starting point. Along the line
both north and south OF San Quentin
he pressed forward despite terrible
losses, and crossed the British second
line.
Meantime the Cambria salient had
become uutenable because Of the cor
don which the enemy had been draw
ing about IL 10 the north and south.
Some time on Friday-perhaps after
dark-the British began TO withdraw,
and on Saturday morning the Germans
entered F%lesquieres, Moeuvres and
Trescault, and forced the British back
to Hermies on the old line from which
Byng began his assaults. 1t Is pro-
bable that the British are now some
distance westward OF Hermies In the
process of strengthening their line.
II was on Friday morning that the
Germans began to press beyond the
second lines west of st. Quentin and
La Fere and approach the British
third line. They had taken dozens of
villages by this time. including Gouz-
e%aucOurt and La Yerguier. On the
second day, therefore. toward evening,
they were four or five miles inside the
lines. and il became necessary for the
British to retire to their third line.
On Saturday the enemy was approach
ing or attacking this third line. When
the name OF Ham appeared in the dis
patches, Il became apparent that the
British were taking up their positions
along a line about six miles in the rear
at certain points. This may indicate
a general retreat to a prepared posi-
ton along the entire front between
La Fere and Arras. although in the
north the Germans have penetrated
only four miles. In the north, how
ever. the lines are further westward
4 than they are to the south, and If the
! British have retired to Ham, they are
I simply drawing a line almost straight
4 south from Arras.
! The French and British lines max,
contact at La Fere. BY pushing
through at la Fere the Germans hav,
become enkdBeu WIN tue fIentu tt
= the south. and the battle is extending
On this flank some miles south of l.;
Fere.
Preceding the big offensive ther'
were numerous raids. The German
raided the American trenches and tn
Americans raided the German
trenches. The casualties nave beef
about as heavy as usual for such op
crations.
Just as the offensive was opening
m an Anglo-British squadron OF destroy
T, ers attacked a German squadron O
- destroyers and torpedo boats whic'
was bombarding Dunkirk. The Brit
" ish believe that two enemy destroyer
and TWO torpedo boats were sunk. TIL
Germans admit the loss of the torped
boats. One British destroyer wa
damaged.
A German transport was destroye
by mines near the Aland islands.
second transport which went TO 1t
assistance was damaged by anothe
mine. salt Lake Tribune.