The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-03-19
(BY ASSOCIATED PRESS)


AS the allied world has, day after
day, read the official reports from the
allied and Teuton war Offices in the
hope that some nkling Of the real Sit
uatiOn would present itself, the real
iZatiOn has come home that the AM
orleans, French, British, Belgian and
Portuguese troops are maintaining
their control over the front running
from the North Sea to Switzerland.
Artillery fire, at some points growing
in intensity, is reported due to al
lies have held their own and their
raiding parties are everywhere busy
in the enemys trenches. The long eX-
pected German drive has not mater
ialized and the. allies threaten to start
an offensive of their own at various
points against the Teutonic legions.
Verdun, Vosqes Battle Center
There is hardly sector on the
western battle line which is not be-
ing marked by spirited actions, but
Verdun and the Vosges regions are
apparently storm centers where big
events may develop. At Verdun the
opposing artilleries have been thun-
dering for several days and on Mon
day the road of the guns was kept up
especially on the right bank of the
Meuse.
In the Vosges mountains the artil-
lery fighting is reported to be very
heavy, no infantry actions have been
mentioned in the war office statement
issued at Paris and Berlin
Belgian "Come Back"
One of the most encouraging feat
ures of the war news may be found
in the fact that the Belgian army,
re-organized and ready for battle, has
taken over the important coast sec.
tor in Flanders This part of the west
ern front has heretofore been held by
the French( although British troops
have made their appearance there at
various periods. That the Belgian
army. which is said to be excellent in
morale, has freed the French and
British forces for action elsewhere on
the front demonstrates that the past
winter has been one of constructive
work on the part of the Belgian and
allied army stats. The latest official
report said that attacks by German
shock troops have been repulsed by
the Belgians.
Americans Holding Their Own
Heavy guns are batering the Am
erican sectors along the front. and
many shells of large calbre have fal.
len. Here, however, the American
guns have replied with good effect and
the excellent weather Of the past few
days has given American airmen an
opportunity to take pictures of the
terrain back of the German trenches.
Apparatus installed preparatory to
another gas raid on the Americans
have been destroyed by American ar
tillery fire, while American raiding
parties, following out their tradition
al Indian fighting tactics, have kept
absolute control of the territory be-
tween the hostile lines.
Spoilers Sweep On
In spite of the fact that the all
Russian congress of Soviets has rati-
fed the treaty of peace forced by the
OF the Teutons, especially in southern
Russia, continues. In southern Uk-
raine the capture of important city OF
Nikolavey, where stores of grain were
reported to have been piled up, has
been officially announced by the Ger.
mans who have also followed up their
aggressive tactics in the province OF
Tcharnigov and Orel, in the south
central regions Of Russia.
On the Italian front there have been
raiding operations from the mountain
to the sea and attempts have been
made by the Austrians to cross the
river Pave have been frustrated.