The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-03-23
ERMANS SLAUGHTERED FOR SLIGHT VICTORY
||nSH ARE FORCED To FALL BACK
BEFORE POWERFUL ATTACK BY GERMANS

Is the enormous slaughter Of Ger
mans that the present operations
make inevitable. 1t would even be
strategically worth while for the Brit
ish to make other small retirements
along the front II by this means
Hindenburg could be enticed into
continuing the killing Of his men.
The Germans have not succeeded
IN pinching off the Cambria salient,
as yet, which is the principal purpose
OF their attack. The small gain at
ance to the operations west OF Cam
brai. 1t may be that the st. Quen.
tin concentration was ordered by
Hdndenburg so that trifling victory
might be shown to the German peo-
pie in place of the expected Cambria
success.
The Versailles war council has now
under its command a reserve force
composed of French, British and
probably American troops, for use In
an emergency at any part OF the
west front There is as yet no tndi-
cation that these special reserves
are needed by the British.
But If sudden danger should threat
en- any part of the British front,
there is this force under the supreme
allied command to come to the rescue
Aerial Activity Of Allies.
[By Henry Wood, United Press Staff
Correspondent
WITH THE FRENCH ARMIES IN
THE FIELD, March S-(by maiD-
Throughout the long winter months in
which the Germans have been concen-
trating their troops on the west front
and assembling their artillery, muni-
tions and materials for an offensive,
allied aviators not only have kept up
an unceasing reconnaissance OF every
step taken, but have bonn barded their
concentration centers and communi-
cation lines to such an extent as to
delay seriously the date Of attack.
From December 1, 1917, to February
Is. 1918, comprising period OF sew
enty-seven days covering the Germans
most intense preparations. French air
forces made no less than 22,51S flights.
The French fighting planes brought
down 104 German machines, Of which
only twenty-nine fell within the
French lines. showing to what an ex-
tent the French are able to keep the
German planes over their own lines.
In addition, ninety-three other Ger
back Of the German lines that 1t was
impossible for their complete destruc-
ton to be confirmed officially.
Against this total of 1877 victories
in seventy-seven days, only thirty
eight French machines were brought
down by the Germans.
While the French fighting planes
were thus maintaining the mastery Of
A. 81, @hca 1nn
1899 flights over the German lines.
In these flights, 21,32s photographs
were taken.
Meantime. huge bombing squadrons
flying both by night and day, rained
two hundred tons Of explosives on
centers Of concentration, lines Of
communication and munitions depots.
Among the points bombarded with
exceptional frequency were the IA
nous German chemical works at Lud-
wigshaven, the mineral bases at Briey,
and of the Sarre and the railway sta
ttons and war material warehouses; at
Metz-Sablons. Thionville, Treves, Sar-
rebruck and Fribourg.
The French observation balloons
kept up an equally intense but neces-
sarily more limited action. Despite
the constant attacks by German air
planes and anti air craft guns. French
"sausages" made a total Of 1888 hours
OF observation in the seventy-seven
day period.
Slaughter is Appalling.
LONDON, March % French
forces to the right of the British
lines are now engaged, dispatches
from the British front declared to-
day.
The slaughter at Roiseltincourt Is
appalling.
Every available gun has been con-
centrated against the solid masses OF
the enemy.
Germany's Last Battle.
COPENHAGEN, March s3.-Ger-
man newspapers, received here today
declare the present battle on the
west front is final and decisive.
They characterize it as the last
exertion of strength before peace
Germany only needs to hold Il
short time to obtain victory" it was
declared. ''The army leaders prob