The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1918-04-18
BY WILLIAM PHILIP slMMs.
United PRESS Staff Corresnandant.

With the British Armies in France,
April 16.--On the Lys battle front, local
tlght1ng continued today for tactically
important positions.
The tenacity of the British in the
half burned city OF Beilleul foiled Hin
lacked Neuve-Eglise more than 10
times hoping to break through to
northward OF Bailleul He took the
sity, but could not progress beyond.
South of Nieppe forest, Won Carlowitz
tried to Shove considerable forces along
the canal. but he was halted by ma
chine gun and rifle fire. A captured
order verified the old tactics of the
GERMAN officers, who rode their horses
into battle. German prisoners say the
famous one-armed general, Won Hofer,
commanding an Ersatz division, walked
With the first wave using his cane for
4 sword.
Prisoners say hungry troop found
Ind raided ration train containing
Jam, white bread and ham They
thought it must have been intended for
the British officers.
With the British Armies in France.
April 14.-Despite the most desperate
efforts to progress toward their first
goal, the Germans apparently are
stalled. Hazebrouck, Bailleul, Aire.
Lillois and Bethune are still in pos
session Of the British.
The German blows are growing more
feeble while the allied resistance is
Strengthening.
The battle has slowed down prac-
tcally to a dead stop, similar to the
Picardy drive after the first week
Though the first phase seemingly has
ended, the fighting continues and un-
doubleday will not cease for some time.
But another critical period has been
put behind the allies, who are awaiting
further onslaughts, undismayed.
Losses Are Enormous.
Part OF Won Arnim's fourth army
and practically all Of Won Quast's sixth
army, comprising more than 20 divi-
sions (290,000 men) have been bloodily
checked.
The British were the first to admit
the seriousness of the German assault,
but scattered over the 100 square miles
Of the Lys battlefield, the German dead
reveal the price.
Dead men and horses and smashed
transports litter the approaches to Be
thune, ST. Venant. Merville, Bailleau
and Neuve-Eglise. as proof of the
prowess Of the British artillery, ma
chine guns and low flying airplanes
smashing roads and bridges as fast as
the German engineers could rebuild
them. Paved and macadamized roads
are so shell pitted, prisoners say, as to
render the difficulties in bringing up
guns and ammunition almost in
superable. The enemy troops are sub
sisting on iron rations" Gin the Ameri
can army this celsists of bacon, hard
tack and coffee). kitchen carts having
days.
Cold Wind Sweeps Field.
Won Stattin's divisions today, after
the stiffest struggle, Won q few hundred
yards in the region of Meteren. Won
Eberhardts storm troops broke down
under hot British fire west of Neuve-
Eglise after a slight advance. Won
KraewePs attempt to retake positions
north Of Festubert failed with heavy
losses. Northeast of Robecq. the Brit
ish recaptured position on the Clar-
ence river.
The battle has thus been reduced
to patchy struggle. The sky is over
cast and there is a high biting wind
London, April 15.--Seven attacks by
the Germans in the Merville sector of
the Northern battle front have been re-
pulsed by the British who inflicted
heavy losses on the enemy, 1t is an
nounced officially today.
The British have lost Nenve Eglise
Southwest Of Bailleul the Germans
temporarily penetrated the British
positions. but were driven out by q
counter attack.
Severe fighting continued nj! day
yesterday around Neuve Eglise. After
beating Off numerous attacks ou-
troops were in the end compelled to
withdraw second time from the VII
lage.
Strong attacks were made yrstcr-
day afternoon at a number of csner
points on the battle front. Northwest
OF Neville fierce fighting took place rs
q result OF which the attacking Ger
man infantry was driven back with
great loss. The hostile infantry., ad-
vancing along the northern banker the