The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-22
Activity of Germans Increasing
South of ArraS.
Has Been Comparatively Quiet
for Several Weeks.
BOCHE MUST STRIKE AGAIN
British Using LulI to Strength
en- Positions.
Second Month of Drive Finds
Allies Victorious.

\ resumption of the Picardy drive
lyHindenturg thru an assault by the
Summe and the Scarpe river appears
imminent.
\ United Press dispatch from the
French front says: There are nu-
n.erous Indications that the Germans
ore preparing for fresh drive be-
tween Amiens and Arras." This, the
correspondent declares, is in line with
the enemy strategy of maintaining
their temporarily abandoned drives in
d condition permitting immediate re-
sumption of the offensive"
The front between the SOmme and
the Sclrpe has been comparatively
the quictest of any of the sectors in
the two big fighting fronts of the
western front offensive for several
weeks. The Flanders battlefield, with
the exception of brief lulls, has been
the scene of almost continuous fight
ing since the drive started there
April g. on the Picardy front, be-
low the Somme, the French have
made several successful local attacks
east OF AmieHs and the sector from
Mont Didier eastward has seen in
uumerable raids and artillery engage
ments.
Haig. in his official report today, de-
scribed II strong enemy attack in the
ueiShburhoud OF Mesnil. which is
located on the Amiens-Arras front.
about eleven miles north of the
Summe
Famous Nimy Ridge Hero.
There also are indications that Haig
anticipated an effort by Hindenburg to
consolidate the two big battle fronts
10y an attack between the Scarpe and
the La Bassee canal He reported
mum successful raids on both
sides .vIs. which is about midway
betwe. ct. he two battlefields- These
raids may have been part of feeling
cut '.locess to determine whether the
Gem lines had been strengthened
met rally there.
In this sector is the famous Nimy
ridge. BY flankins movement from
Lens southwark Hindenburg may hope
To take this important height After
which he would attempt a turning
movement northward against Bethune
and Givenchy. or southwark against
Arras.
The British commander also re-
ported heavy enemy shelling on both
sides of the Somme and Ancre in the
Lens sector and in the neighborhOod
of the Nieppe forest and FeStubert
British Strengthen Positions.
While awaiting the next German
blow. now momentarily expected,
= eld Marshal Haig is taking advan-
tage of the comparative lull to
strengthen his lines in various spots.
Both north and south of Somme and
offensive positions were improved in
local operations last night. Similarly,
the Germans made an attempt to push
forward their lines in the Mesnil re-
sion north Of Alberta, in which sector
they apparently are preparing for
some more important movement The
British offered a sharp defense, how
ever. and foiled the enemy effort.
Heavy artillery fire is in progress
on 50 many parts of the front that
little indication is afforded by this as
to the point selected by the Germans
for their renewed thrust Naturally,
they may be expected to make fur
ther efforts to eXtricate themselves
from the pocket into which they have
forced themselves along thu Lys
southwest of Ypres. Thus. last night
the enemy was reported sheling the
British positions in Nieppe wood
whence lies the route to Hazebroucke
the railroad center from which it is
well nigh vital for the British to hold
him.
a LuIl at Ypres.
There has been no new development
in the region north of Ypres where
the Belgians stopped a turning move
ment last week, preventing the Brit
ish from being thanked out OF the
fCoutfDupd on IBara Two