The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-20
Elsewhere an Ominous Quiet
Prevails Over Front.
All German Attacks Are Re-
pulsed Signally.
DRIVE MAY Be SHIFTED SOON
Lull Before the Breaking OF
Another Storm.
Germans May Be Shifting Their
Forces Elsewhere.

Field Marsha Haig's troops took
the aggressive last night on the
southern side of the Lys battle front
with quick and decisive results. They
compelled the Germans to give up the
small otis of ground in the Gfvenchy
ard Festubert sections which were
all the enemy had to show for his
costly all-day attacks of Thursday on
this front.
The British counter blow resulted
If the attainment of all the objectives
sought and in the complete re-estab-
lishment of the British line as it ex-
listed before the Germans struck on
Thursday
The only offensive action on the
German side reported from the Brit
ish front was in the Robecq region
salient, southwest of Merville. The
enemy met no success in this local
operation, the British driving him
back to his positions.
There is possible significance in
raiding operations carried out by the
British south along the line below
the Scarpe river, just to the south
east of Arras. Apparently it was a
feelingout operation to develop what
forces the Germans have ready for
ar attack in this region. 1t resulted
il. the taking of prisoners and a col
roortars A German counter attack
was repulsed.
1t seems not improbable that the
enemy will again assay drive arc nd
Arras. altho he failed signa1ly there
in the early stages of the battle. Some
way the Germans have got to force
back the British line between Arras
and Albert before they can go much
further ahead in their push on the
Somme battle front, as their right
! f1or to- n1d for 1,yr p,-i4 tet,
Vimy to Albert and has not been able
to keep pace with their left south of
the sSomme.
Vimy Stands Against Huns.
The British anchor point on this
line is Nimy ridge, north of Arras, the
been assumed to be one of the Ger
man detectives in driving in the sa-
( lent along the Lys, whence they APP
parently hoped to work southwark.
| Stopped in this attempt by the Brit
ish in the fighting Thursday and yes
| again or attack with a similar pur-
pose elsewhere if Vimy and the line
it supports is not still to stand in the
way of their southerly drive.
| In the sectors of the southern bat
tie front held by the French, there
was a continuation of the heavy ar
! tillery fighting between Lassigny and
! Noyon toward the French right flank
The only infantry operation was a
raiding attempt by the Germans near
| Hangard. southeast of Amiens, in
which the advantage was with the
French. who took prisoners, including
/ an officer.
! Are Making Readjustments.
Washington, April 20.-Compara-
tive quiet on the western battle line
was regarded here today as merely a
temporary hull before another great
! storm.
! Both sides are undergoing read
| justments. and the battle has been sc
severe and so telling on both sides that
a let down az this time was antici-
| pated.
In this period of transition. rein
| forcements are being brought up tc
| the British and the Germans to re-
form some of their shattered battal-
| ions or to relieve them entirely. The
! battle is by no means ended.
The British are holding firmly and
/ will continue to check the boche, it is
| felt
italian aid on the right wing will
further relieve seasoned troops from
| that region for fighting further north
| and it is likely that Foch has plans for
! use of the reserve at an opportune
moment. American and British au-
ttorities here rely absolutely on his
wisdom His plan is pot even being
trusted to the cables in military codes
Germans Arc Stalking All.
The German is stalking everything
and tho baked and halted now, he is
| going on with the conflict, all authori-
ties a agree. This means more and more
American troops must be sent across.
Secretary of War Baker Is now Civ
i ing the most serious consideration to
| the man-power problem He has con-
suited congressional military leaders
and talked several times with Lord
Reading. British amba ssador.
| These conferences may be a fore
runner of plans to increase the United
! States army beyond the 100000 mer
which it is estimated will be in the
field or in training here az the close
of the year.
! A Lull Thruout West Front.
London April 2O.-For the frs
/ time since the German drive begar
in Flanders. April 9, there is a lu1l or
both the Flanders and Picardy fronts
All official statements last night agreed
| there were no infantry actions, altht
artillery firing continued at som,
points.
Field Marshal Haig said the British
positions north of Merville wert
heavily shelled yesterday morning, blu
no attack followed.
| The French war office reported the
German artillery active in the region
the right bank of the Meuse, between
Verdun and st Mihiel
There is nothing new to repor
from the battle front" the German
war office said in its night report The
day communique claimed the capture
of ], 500 prisoners in minor operation:
around Festubert and Givenchy
4 British in Local Successes.
Nine machine guns. trench mortal