The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-08


v-a<ri-gtor. April s-Every day
finds the aT'es in better position to
r~sist with definite success the great
German offensive according to an Of
ficial review today by the British mil
itary attache. here. French. British
and American reserves are pouring
in daily to help check the German
drive the review declares.
Doubtless the Germans will make
further great efforts before they ac-
knowledge the failure of their great
,.prin. drive but it is safe to say that
each day that passes finds the allies
in a hetter position" he continued.
Unusually Heavy BOmbardment.
With the British Army in France
work has been proceeding at various
points along the British, battle front
thruout tn night and this morning
North of the River Scarpe and
south of the Somme river German
e1Ins are conducting an unusually
heavy bombardment such as hereto
fore has indicated an impending at
tack.
No infantry action, however, had
been reported up to o'clock TINS
morning.
Br r-tish guns pulverized the Ger
sssaians' attempt II better their position
soath Of Bucquoy sunday and tore
such gaps in their lines that they
abanuoneC their efforts.
The Germans made a local attack
in Hangard wood (west of Demuin)
but the British Immediately counter
attacked and retained most of the
wood. capturing prisoners and ma
chine suns and inflicting heavy cas-
uallties Of the enemy.
British in Advance.
London. April s.-British troops
advanced their line slightly" last
night, east of Vaire and south of Cor
bic. along the south bank of the
Somme. Field Marshal Haig reported
today.
Corbie is on the north bank of the
Somme a mile east of the confluence
of the Somme and Ancre and eight
miles due east of Amiens. Naire is
a mile east of Corbie, on the south
bank of the Somme. Staff correspon-
dents reported heavy forces of Ger
mans advancing from Naire wood and
fighting Just outside Corbie at dawn
Saturday. Haig's report would indi-
cate the Germans have been pushed
back at least a mile at this point.
Germans Advance in South.
Shifting their main attack from the
regions of Mont Didier and Albert
the Germans have advanced a maxi
mum depth of four miles on a five
mile front at the extreme southern
flank of their offensive front. accord
ing to yesterdays day statement OF
the Berlin war office.
- The German night commurlque said
continuation of this attack had
brought fresh successes and that
Pierremande and Folembray had beer
captured.
PIerremance is three miles south
and east of Chauny, on the southern
bank of the Creve river, while Folem-
bray is three miles farther southeast
and about Two miles northwest OF
Coucy. The day statement said the
Germans had reached the line OF
Bichancourt, Autrcville and Rarisis
These towns are on an east and west
line thru Pierremande, Barisis being
six miles south of La Fere and three
miles due north of Coucy.
First Advance for Some Time.
This is the first advance of any con.
sequence by the enemy in this regior
since the offensive developed.
The German statement further re
ported the repulse of British and
French alta ks along the Ancre ant
Avre. On the east bank of the Meuse
In the Verdan sector, successful Ger
man raid was reported
(By the Associated PressD
Checked at mos- points along tn,
front from Arras to Coucy. north o
Scissors, the Germans are niLbling a
the allied Tire in an effort 90 find
=. weak spot. So far the enemy has beer
repulsed along the western leg of tn,
elbow salient" In the Chauny
Coucy-La Fere triangle along the Ois
on the extreme eastern end of tn,
southern front of the battle line tn
French have retired to higher ground
Correspondents at the British from
in France say signs are not wantin,
that the Germans are getting ready I,
launch another heavy attack on a lonj
front in an endeavor to reach Amiens