The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-27
GERMAN DRIVE
IS FALLING FAR
SHORT OF COAL
Zone of Open Warfare Con-
tinues To Grow Larger.
Germans Used Reserves More
Rapidly Than Intended.
LOSSES NOW FIFTY PER CENT
More Than 100000 Casualties
in a Weeks Fighting.
Trying To Break Thru and Roll
Up in Either Direction.

London. March 27.-The zone of
open warfare is continuing to enlarge
as the entente forces fall back fighting
under the enormous weight of the
German numbers, says Reuters cor
respondent at British headquarters in
his dispatch today.
1t is now clearly established, he
adds. that the present offensive is the
great main effort of the Germans. and
that it has ot been as successful as
they anticipated, the enemy being
a long way behind his time table and
having failed to break thru and begin
rolling up tactics.
The Germans are now pushing
against the British line with the full
pressure of their masses. They have
thrown in their reserves more rapidly
than they intended. it is declared, and
are, therefore, wearing themselves
down, altho they are naturally tiring
the defense in the process.
The general feeling, the correspond
ent reports, is that the days of trench
warfare are definitely passed.
Big Smash on Roye Front.
British Army Headquarters in
France, March 27-By the Associated
Press.-The Germans last night
continued their furious onslaught
southwestward from Ham against the
and Noyon, having slowed down in
their patent attempt to cut thru the
British line further north, where such
desperate resistance was offered.
Hard fighting occurred last night
about the town of Albert. Large
enemy forces pushed forward toward
the place but at last accounts the Brit
ish were holding them doggedly at this
possible gateway to Amiens.
The conflict in the sector around
Roye and Noyon appears to be of
great Importance from the many indi-
cations that the German higher com
mand is attempting to split the allied
front there and start a rolling up proc
eSS either way.
Has Lost Half His Men.
From the average of casualties in
the various German units as given by
prisoners, one arrives at the conclu-
sion that the German emperor has
lost so PEI cent of these men since
he gave the signal for the advance.
The official British statement of
yesterday said it had been established
that more than seventy German di-
visions had beer engaged in the bat
tie. The usual estimate of the pres
ent strength of a German division is
1900 men, so that loss of so per
cent would mean casualties in excess
of 100000 for the Germans in less
than week of fighting.
Inc GeTIIldnS nave now reclaimed
virtually all the territory they held
at the beginning of the battle of the
Somme in 1916 At some places they
have not retaken all the old ground,
but at other points they have over
1tepPed it somewhat.
Is Most Sanguinary Struggle
Fresh enemy forces were flung into
the southern phase of the offensive
late yesterday These reinforcements
with other picked troops, including the
famous Prussian guards were sent for
ward in dense wave against the al
lied defenders. The latest reports
from this fighting zone merely chron-
out indicating any change in the sit
uation.
"At the latest reports the Germans
had made no further attack against
Bray North of Albert, however. they
attacked in considera BILE strength to-
ward Aveluy Wood. The assault
broke at the British line and recoiled
North of this point the situation is
unchanged
Try To Split British.
Heavy fighting occurred late yester-
day just south of Albert about
Meaulte At the same time the Brit
ish drove off an attack north of AL
bert. at Auchonvillers. The enemy's
gains further north have been large,
but the elasticity of the defending
line thus far has defeated his inten-
ton of brea king thru here and di-
viding the British forces 1t is prob
able this elasticity has resulted in the
development of the vicious drive
which the enemy is now making to
the south
Prisoners Tell of Slaughter.
The resistance which has been Of
tered by the allied troops to the Ger
man advance constitutes one of the
finest pa ges in the annals of the war.
The gallant sacrifice which those
ha rdy warriors made in covering the
withdrawal and delaying the German
sweep forward undoubtedly will have
an important effect on the final out
come of this greatest of all battles.
The appalling slaughter of the at
tacking ma sses has continued since
the first day. All -he prisoners have
much the same story to tell of the
great losses suffered Undoubte
the Germans expected some such re-
suit and il IS probabl all their cards
have not yet been played.