American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-05-28
GREAT GERMAN OFFENSIVE
RENEWED MONDAY MORNING
Teutons Striking at New Points To-
ward Paris, Meet With Some Sue
eesses-Too Early TO Know How
Battle Is Terminating.

Germany's great offensive on the
western front was resumed Monday.
With only brief artillery prepara-
ton. two blows have been struck by
the Teuton armies. which have been
-reorganized since disastrous losses
were inflicted on them by the French
and British during the Picardy and
Flanders battles In March and April.
One attack was on the line from
Voormezeele 10 Locre, southwest OF
fpres; the other on a 35-mile front
from PinOn. north OF Scissors to
Rheims. This Is known as the Aisne
sector.
In Flanders the Germans have gain
ed virtually nothing, but further south
the Berlin official statement claims
that the German crown princes
troops have carried the whole ridge
OF the Chemin des Danes aud now are
fighting on the Aisne river.
The attack in Flanders is against
positions taken by the French May 20,
when they r%ecaptured Bruloose and
Locre and strengthened their line on
each side OF Hill A, which they had
retaken a few days before.
On the Aisne front the present battle
recalls the fearful lighting Of last
summer along the Chemin des Danes,
where for weeks the German crown
prince hurled his men against the
French positions. only 10 see them
crushed and beaten. Last year rs d.
visions we're engaged In the German
attacks along this line.
The attack here Is really I'm the ma
ture OF a line Strengthening operation.
II is being launched from Laon as a
center, and is aimed at the elbow in
the line formed during the fighting in
Picardy ia March and April. Here.
however, the Germans must face per
manent works which have been occu-
pied by the French for long periods,
and which can be defended easily.
Evidence that the allied supreme
command was forwarned Of the at
tack ma be found in the fact that
British troops are fighting there. II
had been believed that the British
forces did not hold positions much
south Of the SOmmc. east Of Amiens.
Crown Prince Is In Command.
The German crown prince is in
command In this sector, and this may
indicate a serious effort to break the
allied line. Crown Prince Rupprecht
OF Bavaria Is the nominal commander
In Artins and Picardy. and the Ger
iran crow prince, for dynastic rea
sons. will strive TO outdo whatever
success was achieved by his colleague
further north.
II Is probable that American troops
are engaged in the lighting in both
the battles on the French front. 1t
is known that American troops are
close behind the allied lines in Elan
ders. while some time ago IL was re-
ported that they wera near Rheims.
The latest reports not sever fight
ing in the Apramont forest, whore
Americans are known to be holding
positions. The reports say that the
Germans were repulsed.
II is officially reported from Wash
ington that American positions In the
Picardy sector near Cantigny and
M%ontdidier have been subjected to at
tack and that at places the Germans
penetrated them. The enemy. how
ever. was driven out later.
While II Is too early for the true
German intention to be disclosed, the
effort apparently Is simultaneously to
push through to the channel ports in
the north. thus breaking up the Brit
ish front. and to strike for Paris In
the south. in an effort aimed mainly
a. the French.