The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-04-08
DEAL HUNS
HARD BLOW
Repulse Foe and Take Some Prisoners. Is
Report in Dispatches to Washington.
French In Position to Take Germans
On Left Flank---Tide of Battle Flows
Backward and Forward With VARYING
Advantage

washington, April While believing that fighting of the
s desperate nature will continue for the present
ocahy OF the conflict the front allied officers on
DUTY mere are convinced that the battle of Pieard SMELLS m,
other Verdun for the German legions
stan officers admit that there is grave menace to
anu Ihe Anens-P ars railroad in the present position
o Inc herman armies But they declare their faith in the
OF the aed forces to repeat the words and the deeds
mat saved Verdun-"They shall not pass
The successful British counter attack in tho AIher+ -
IN winch hundred prisoners were captured and the bod
g ana small successes of the Germans left bank of
e lse ABOUT Chauny and Barss reported in todavs dis
~ 10 washington are regarded but part of the pendn
unlike struggle that will until the German striking
power Is utterly exhausted. s
The attack the French posit;ons .pna.~as A,
formidable the Germans have undertaken in several dav r.
oea OUT however that at this point the French can rive
way to attacks taking toll of German lives for eve fs
ground just the British did the great retreat t tb;
present positions. ~ ~ 'A'a
Officers here regard the most critical mint of b ill., 49,
JUST south OF the Somme where the Germans are neares
only TWO miles awayo the ParisAmiens railroad Rut 81
TINS point the Germans themselves tactical position
worse THAN almost other the whole battle front
Their advanced positions this point are renored IN b
between the Avre river and the railway embannen They
exposed to grng gunre and if attacked would be a.
almost hopeless condition for defense
Inc possibilities OF French retreat of the Disc arc
united by the point at which the battle line crosses that
1t is not believed that the French will give more
ground than that To do would deprive them of the most
favorable point for counter attack which day is e1
pcted to bite deep into the German between Novon and
Montdde forcing the rout of the and the capture
Of supplies which Germany has hurried up the
fields to her foremost western line before Amiens
The time of this offensive as we'll as anv measures
for the relief of portions of the allied line subjected to German
pressure lies IN the hands of General Foch believed that
he VIII not throw IN his of help in defen-
slve action unless the need desperate He will is believed
this army of which the Americans form such consider
able part for the offense.
Confidence in the situation as whole is notably strength
eung here by recent adves the amplitude of General
Fochs powers The Austrian drive still menaces italy Adj
received by the Italian embassy here today
centrahons OF Austrian forces The Italians believe that
blow will be launched at their lines weather in
the mountains at its western end permits the free
of troops and guns
But the Italian confidence is particularly high that there
will be repetition of the Isonzo disaster The coordina
ton of the allied armies with those of Italy brought about
through the extension of General Foch powers has made
such event impossible the Italians observe They declare
that if General Foch should determine that Italy will to
meet the Austrian assault alone, Italy will So IT, on the
other hand his information indicates that they will need some
of their placed under General Fochs disposal
France they will get them promptly They believe that
der the scheme of command they will further reinforce
mens of French British troops with promptness