American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-04-16
ALLIES LIKE STONE WALL
STOP GERMAN ADNANCE
No Appreciable Change in Line Has
Been Made Since Order to Halt Ad-
vance Was Given.

Seven days after the Germans
launched their gigantic assault against
the British lines between Lens ana
Ypres, the momentum Of their attack
has been broken and the waves OF the
Teutonic forces are recoiling De1ore
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 at
tempt to break through or take I'M
portant railroad functions.
During the last day there nave Deeh
bitterly fought engagements IN lour
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 trl-
angular dent in the British line have
been hurled back by the British.
Neuve Eglise, on the extreme south
western spur of Messines ridge, mas
been taken by the Germans after
struggle which will go into history as
one of the greatest Of the past week
The British, however, have not re-
tired far, and it is probable that they
will at once organize a counter at
tack to force the Germans out OF the
town, which, if held, might be kick
ing Off point for an attack whlch
might outflank and make untenable
Messines ridge, the key to the British
position about Ypres.
All around the sweeping semiclrcle
created by the enemy attacks to the
southwest of the Messines ridge posi-
tions he was fought to a standstlil
Sunday. and in some localities the
british positions were improved by
counter strokes.
Bailleul and Wulverghem, between
Neuve Eglise and Merville, also have
been the scenes of hard fighting, but
except for Neuve Eglise. the northern
side of the salient has stood firm. On
the southern side of the salient, ac-
cording to Berlin, fierce struggles have
been fought.
Large results hinged on the battle
further within the salient, in the Mer-
Vile sector where the Germans have
effected their furthest westward pene-
tration. They are pushing here for
Hazebrouck, occupation of which
would cut off important railway con-
nections of the British and make the
holdings of the line to the northeast
extremely difficult.
New Assault on Arras Likely.
It has been the German plan Of
campaign since March 21, when the
great offensive started, to strike hard
at some particular sector and if that
blow was parried to turn powerfully
against some new point This pro-
cedure 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 op-
erations. An attack on Arras would
entail the hurting of troops against
Vimy ridge. The Labyrinth and other
formidable military positions protect
ing that city.
1t may be that the savage fighting
reported at Hangard-En- -Santerre
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 here has brought
the Germans only losses in men and
ground. Further south. near Montdi-
dier. there has been intense artillery
firing. but the Germans have not at
tempted infantry operations in this
important sector
Americans Stand Firm.
American forces near Toul are
standing 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 loosened
against them. The Germans have lost
heavily.