Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-04-20
COMPARATIVE QUIET
ON MOST OF FRONT
Germans Have Not Vet Renewed
Drive ard Evidently Are Recuperat.
ing From Severe Reverse of Thurs.
day--AIlies Believe Germans Will
Next Strike in Vicinity Of Arras,
Where Advance Made No Progress.

southern SIDE OF the IyS pattte
front, with quick and decisive re-
suits. They compelled the Germans
ito give UP the small bits Of ground
in the G:venehy.Festubent sector
which were all the enemy had to
show for his costly all! day at
taeks Of Thursday on this front.
The British counter blow resulted
in the attainment Of all objsetives
sought and the re-establishment Of
the British line as it existed be.
fore Thursday.
The only German offensive strike
was in the Robeeq region, near
the westerly tip of the Lys SALIENT,
southwest Of MervilIe. The enemy
met no success in this local opeA-
alton, the British. driving him
back to his positions.
There 10 probable significance
in raidins operations carried out
by the British on the Scarpe river,
southeast Of Arras. Apparently it
Was feeling out operation to de-
-veiop what forces the Germars
had ready for an attack in this re-
gion. u resulted in the taking of
] prisoners and machine guns.
II seems not improbable that the
ssnerty again will essay a drive
around Arras, aItho he failed sig
nslly there in the early stages Of
the battle. The German forces
must get back Of the British near
Albert before N,ey can get ahead
in their push on the Somms battle
front, as their right flank is held
fast by the British from Vimy to
Albert and, has not been able to
keep pace with the left side.
The British anchor point on this
line is vimy ridge, north Of Arras.
the turning Of which from the
north has been assumed to be one
Of the German objeetives in driv-
ing in the salient along the left.
Stopped in their attempt by the
British in the fighting on Thurs
day and yesterday, the Germans
must either strike mere again or
attack with similar purpose else
where If vimy and the line it sup
ports is not to stand in the way Of
their southerly drive.
In the sectors Of the southern
battle front held by the French
there was continuation Of heavy
artillery activity between Lassig-
nv and Noyon. The only infantry
activity was a raidins operation
attempted by the Germans near
HanaaPd, southeast Of Amiens, in
which tho advantage was with the
French.
UnfavorabIe weather has settled
down on tho northern battle front,
but up to the present the Germans
have selected mist and rain and
cold periods as oprortune for
striking and the IuII in their at
taeks is due more probably to their
appalling losses, which, in the past
ten days have caused such de.
pIetions IN organizations that Of
fensive t1etics must await the ar.
rival Of new troops.
Germany probably still has many
reserve divisions, and there is
little doubt that her masters will
use their iast divisions in an eff,
fort to crush the British or
French.
London, April 20.-Nine machir.
alns, a trench mortar and prisoner
yere taken by the British in a. loca
peration yesterday south Of tn
,carpe river, the war office announce.
I German counter attack was re
,,ilsed.i
on the south end Of the F1ander
attle front the British Elected tn
Germans from positions gained b
hem Thursday near Givenchy.
The British gained all their OBJ
ectives in the counter attack in Elan
ers. advancing their defenses a
and Festubert and re-estab
shing their positions.
In sharp hghting southeast Of 70
eco the British drove back Germal
ttacking parties. The statement fol
ows:
s"As a result of successful mino
nterprise, carried out by us, yesterda;
outh Of the Scarpe river in tn
egion ofNArras, we captured a fey
IFsoners, nine machine guns and
rench mortar. Early in the night tn
ncmy launched a counter attack il
his locality and was repulsed. Duripi
he night successful counter attacl
" the first division threw out tn
nerny from points in our advance
eefnses around Givenchy and Festu