The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-22
Victory Is Complete in First
Real Big Engagement.
All Attacks Previously Have
Been Mere "FeeIerS."
HINDENBURG PURPOSE FAILED
Perhaps 1873 Yanks Were Lost
Because Too Bold.
American Military Leaders Are
Pleased Over Result.

New York. April 22.-American
troops have fought at Seicheprey their
first real battle of the war and have
come thru the engagement with VIC
tory.
All previous attacks by the Germans
against the American positions in east
ern France have been raids or recon-
naissances for the purpose of securing
information for Won Hindenburg. The
assault this week end at Seicheprey,
however, was not of this character. 1t
shows every evidence of having been
an attempt by Hindenburg to seize
permanently the village held by the
Americans and to improve the Ger
man positions opposite that part of
General Pershing's line.
Failure to accomplish this purpose
was complete. The official Berlin re-
port that the Germans destroyed
enemy works in the American posi-
tions is unimportant in view of the
fact that the Germans were forced
back to their own lines. The purpose
American-he1d sector with the Ger
man front is sufficiently indicated by
the action of the Germans in remain
ing over night in the American posi-
tions they had temporarily occupied.
RetiI iIement Followed by Counter.
It is apparent that the Americans
made a strategic retirement before
the initial rush of the Germans, either
because the German force was largely
superior in numbers, or because Ger
man barrage fire gave indications of
cutting off the Americans. The cOun-
ter-attack of Pershing's fighters dem
onStrateS concluSively that the original
retirement however, was we'll devised
and succeeded in its purpose of con-
serving the American forces for
more favorable assault.
The German claim of 1873 Americans
being captured may be true The
Americans very probably would be re-
luctant to obey orders to fall back in
their first serious encounter with the
enemy. Hesitancy on the part of an
advanced unit to retire may well have
caused its isolation by barrage fire and
its necessary capitulation. Americans
have certain quality of recklessness
which may cause occasional mistakes
like this but which in the end means
victory.
Stubborn Fighting.
Washington, April 22.-German
smashes at the American troops in the
Toul sector have been met with all the
stubborn, gallant fighting spirit that
| has always characterized American
| fighters American military men here
said today that accounts of the week
end struggle proved that the Ameri-
cans can be counted on.
AS for the entire west front situa-
ton. the war department weekly sum-
mary, published today, expressed the
view that the present lull will be fol-
| lowed by fresh German offensive on
| forts, perhaps at a new point.
With the offensive now on its sec
ond month, the German finds himself
checked in obtaining major offensives
Allies to Finland.
The fact that Berlin alone made
claim of / SO American prisoners in the
! fighting Saturday and that there was
no American communique on the sub
! ject served to emphasize here the
need of an American daily official
statement
/ In addition to the west front situa-
ton, the experts are following devel-
opments in the Finland fight closely
Cooperation between allied forces and
J Bolsheviki. following landing of added
| forces on the Murman coast, is to pro-
! tect vital stores at KoIa