The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-04-02
Losses in Attempt to Regain
Vimy Ridge Prove to BE
Enormous.
USED ELEVEN DIVISIONS
When British Took 1t a Year
ago They Employed
Only Three.
Nv PERRY ROBINSON.
Sp,cidi Cab'e bespoicd 70 THE SIS from ne
JspGon J,n,sA

Special fab'e Dtspuirh 70 THE 81 y rom ne
london T.n,ee.
Copyrighi. 1915; al riyhtS restrrs'
BRITISH HEADQUARTERS IN FRANCE
April Again there is no material
change 10 report In tHe situation. Since
the complete and costly failure Of their
attempt al Arrss last THURSDAY the GER
mars have shown no disposition to try
again. with any eagnes;ness. on that por-
tlon OF the battle field.
ON Easter MONDAY year ago We began
the battle OF Arras. We celebrated the
anniversary by holding VIGOROUSLY not
only all the ground then won in the first
attack but. with few exceptions. all won
up to the lates, stages Of the battle.
The more one learns the more certain
1t is that the German losses in the en-
deavor 10 regain Nimy Ridge were very
great. After the enemy shock troops
had been shattered and the following di-
visions had failed TO get through. other
divisions. consisting OF guards who had
been held in reserve to improve the
victory" We're not put in Before our
machine guns and rifles the wide. slop-
ing plain Of Ba!lleul was covered with
German dead. This would not he a COM
for,ing sight to other troops coming 10
the same attack. and il is not to be
wondered at IL the higher command
hesitated TO send the guards In here.
As il was, the enemy used, on both
sides the Scarpe. more than eleven di-
visions although II IL worth remarking
that We won the whole of Nimy Ridge
las; year with three divisions All the
German divisions IN the recen. attack
seem TO have suffered terribly.
some spies Captured.
No. a few undoubtei spies have been
taken. ! saw one Yesterday who had
lust been arrested. He was a harmless
looking. pale eyed youth who wore a
British uniform. II is poss! ble that he
was not q spy in the ordinary aCcepta-
ton OF the term. but only weak minded
and chicken hearted. But his knowledge
OF his unit was cur!ously vague, Three
persons already had testified that he
urged the necessity for instant tight.
Every chance was given him to eXcul-
pate himself. but with pale eyes and
! norchalant manner I've evidently had
made up his mind that he was to die
spy's death and did not care or else
did not understand.
Whatever excuse the hysterical may
have had Tor the pa OF tnOse nrst
days there is none now. The situation
! in the last two days has hardly changed.
| The enemy has made no progress OF
| importance and has failed in several
| minor enterprises and one effort of real
, Importance. namely. the attempt upon
! Arras and Nimy ridge which was Of
n magnitude that becomes more evident
i the more we hear of IT,
| Of the hGnt'ng at Demuin ! happened
! 10 see something. From the top of
a ruined building ! could oversee the
/ battlefield c,ose at hand. though rain
was falling and mist obscured every
thing more than a mile away, our field
guns were working on ground the enemy
| had overrun few hours before. Little
pa rites OF stretCher bearers moved hore
! and there In the omen. From the edge
! of the wood, sheltered in spots. our ina
chine guns spattered necessarily and
other machine guns, further away
! talked back,
( HOrsemen Wait NotiOnIcAS.
\ squadron OF mounted troops went al
, a canter across the open ard along dir
| In the ground TO take cover behind a
shelter throu,h which the enemy hat
made his way once during the day an
might come again. When loft those
horsemen still waited motionless arc
guns banged and shattered and shells