The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-14
But Germans Seem Yet Reluc-
tant To Start Drive.
Enemy Making ThOrO Prepara-
ton Before Assault.
ALLIED AIRMEN WIN FIGHTS
American Artillery Shells Hun
Hard in Picardy.
Italians Repulse Desperate
Counter on Monte COrnO.

London, May 14.-German arti1-
lery fire was violent last night in the
Somme and Ancre sectors, says the
official statement from Field Marshal
Haig today.
Committed, as they are. to a con-
tinuation of heavy fighting on the
western front, the Germans apparent
ly are taking their full time before
beginning another forward operation
On the line from scissors north to the
Belgian coast. In two weeks, the
enemy has made only one determined
attack and this was repulsed by the al
lied forces southwest of Ypres.
Huns Shelling Allies Hard.
Along the vital sectors of the sa-
1ients driven by the Germans since
March 81 the enemy artillery has been
active, but there are no signs of re-
newed infantry activity in strength.
North of KENNEL, around Serre, on
the line between Albert and Arras.
and on the southern end of the British
line across the Somme and on the
French sector Immediately south, the
German big guns are hurting thou
sands of shells into the allied posi-
tions.
of every opportunity to invade enemy
territory. Many more tons of bombs
have been dropped on important rail-
way centers and other military targets
oCIliIu the herman lines Flanders
and Picardy. In aerial fighting the
British have brought. down six more
enemy machines. While British naval
airmen bomb the German submarine
bases at Zeebrugge and Ostend, army
fliers continue the aerial lombard
ment of Bruges.
American Gunfire Heavy.
| West of Mont Didier in Picardy and
northwest of Toul Americas artillery
men are harassing the Germans with
a, heavy fire. Considerable damage fs
| believed to have been caused on both
sectors. e~--sa s+s4-s. .t.--- =. =
The announcement from Ottawa
that the American army was not to be
| employed fully against the Germans
until 1t was complete organization,
1t is declared in London, was due to
an error, which has been corrected.
Lively fighting continues in the
Monte Corno region south of Asiago,
with the Italians throwing back re-
peated Austrian efforts to regain the
summit of the mountain. Elsewhere
on the Italian front the artillery duel
goes on, but there are no indications
that the enemy is ready to start his
heralded attack.
italians Repulse Attack.
Italian Army Headquarters in
Northern Italy. Monday, May 13-
| Italian troops repulsed with heavy
| less a desperate enemy attempt la st
| night to redeem the loss of Monte
| Corno. 1t is believed that this was
only the first of a series of efforts to
regain the lost ground owing to the
value of the height which commands
the approaches to the valley leading
from Trent to Rovereto
The fight last night was in the
darkness and was a bloody hand to
| hand struggle over the rocky slopes
| OF the mountain. The Italian posi-
tions. however. were maintained in
tact. Thus far the fighting around
Monte Corno has beer of a local
character and not part of any gen.
eraf offensive, altho the outposts
show increasing activity all along the
mountain front