The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-04-16
(BY ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Seven days after the Germans had
launched their gigantic assault against
the British lines between Lens and
Ypres, the momentum of their attack
has been broken, and the waves OF the
Teutonic forces are recoiling before
the rock Of the British defense While
the Germans have made gains Of
ground and have driven a wedge into
the allied lines to considerable
depth, they seem to have failed in
their attempt to break through or take
important railroad functions.
During the last day there have been
bitterly fought engagements at four
places, all on the northern side of
the salient to the south of Ypres
Seven assaults against the British
trenches at Merville, near the Apex
of the triangular dent in the British
line, have been hurled back by the
British Meuve Eglse, on the extreme
southwestern spur of Messines ridge,
has been taken by the Germans after
struggle which will go into history
as one Of the greatest of the past
week.
British Hold Well
The British, however, have not re-
tired far, and it is probable that they
will at once organize counter at:
tack to force the Germans out of the
town, which, if held, might be "kick-
ing Off point for an attack which
might out flank and make untena BILE
Messines ridge, the key to the British
positions about Ypres. Bailleul and
Wulverghem, between Neuve Eglise
and Merville, also have been the scene
of hard fighting, but except for Neuve
Eglise, the northern side Of the salient
has stood firm. On the southern side
Of the salient, according to Berlin,
fierce struggles have been fought.
1t has been the German plan of
campaign since March 81 when the
great offensive started, to strike hard
at some particular section, and if that
blow was parted, to turn powerful
attacks against some new point. This
procedure probably will be followed
in. the next few days by new assault
somewhere south of Arras, An attack
north of Ypres is hardly possible, for
the lowlands of Belgium are as yet too
waterlogged to permit active opera
lions. An attack on Arras would entail
the hurting of troops against Vimy
Ridge, the labyrinth and other formid.
able military works protecting. that
city. .a....
New Hun Attack Expected.
1t may be that the savage fighting
reported at Hangard- En- Santerre, to
the south Of Albert and on the center
of the line facing Amiens, may mark
the beginning of a new attempt to
sweep westward toward Amiens. So
far the fighting has brought the Ger
mans only losses in men and ground.
Further south, near Montdidier, there
has been intense artillery firing, but
the Germans have not attempted in.
fantry operations in this important
sector
German troops have entered Hell
singfors, the Finnish capital 1t was
reported last week that the Russian
warships which have been there had
made their escape and had reached
Kronstadt, the great Russian naval
base. ...
American forces near Toul are
firm before heavy attacks by
the Germans and have held their lines
intact in spite OF all the weight of
men and metal the enemy has lOosed
against them. The Germans have lost
heavily.
The constant German attacks in
his sector may have some bearing on
he development Of the German often
tive campaign and much interest in
he situation throughout the region
leld by General Pershing's men is evil
fenced by the allied leaders.
Czechs Revolt.
Coincident with the report Of the
OF the resignation of Count
Jxernin, the Austor- Hungarian pre-
nfer, comes a report Of serious out4I|
Freak of the Czechs at Prague, which
or many months has been reported
o be seething with anti-pan-G German
SIN. BOhemians, or at least the Czech
In that country, object to the
OF a German government
her, but the incident may be more
iEulhcant than has so Tar appeared.