Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-07
GERMANS CONTINUE
PLUNG|NG TACTICS
Operations Rapidly Developing
Into Greatly Magniied Bat
tie of Vcrdun.
HURLING MASSES OF TROOPS
Main Attack on Saturday Was
Delivered on the Allied
Center.
HURLING MASSES OF TROOPS
IBy Associated Pr.s..l


The Germans are continuing their
plungng tactics in the Amicns bat
tic area, with their operations rapidly
developing into a greatly magniticd
Verdun.
The similarity with the classic OK
ample Of Il German attempt to beat
down an enemy by sheer force is daily
growing. This development obtrudcs
itself not only because of the mar
rowing OF tho area involved in the
attack and the practice of hurling
great masses OF troops at the defend
crs OF narrow front, regardless OF
sacrifices. but by reason of the newly
developed tendency to alternate the
attacks. with rest periods for one Sec
tor while the other Is in action.
Thus, Saturday the main attack was
delivered on the allied center, after
the blow launched south Of the Somne
on Thursday and thatsdriven into the
north of the river on Friday had spent
themselves.
Saturdays big plunge appears to
have had it's starting point just to
the south OF the Somme, where the
British right flank Is near the junction
point with the French. Apparently
aiming at the Albert-Amiens railway
In the vicinity OF Corbic. about ten
miles east OF Amiens, the enemy threw
heavy masses OF troops toward the op-
posing line from Narie wood. east of
Corb!e. The battle here seemed likely
TO develop into one OF Importance as
affecting the tenure of what remained
to the entente allies Of the wedge
shaped piece OF ground In the angle
formed here by the Sommc and the
Ancre
The Germans did not renew their at
tack against the French south of the
Sommo Friday night after they had
been held 10 small gains achieved at
terrible cost and had even been forced
backward in places in the lighting OF
the preceding thirty-six hours. The
attack launched against the British in
the region of Albert and northward
on Friday, however was kept UP we'll
into tho evening, but its continuation
save the enemy little, ic any, addi-
tional advantage. His gains here ap-
pear to have been largely limited
to slight rush forward along the
hncre near pcrnancour,
The weather on the battle front was
reported improving Saturday, but tho
aviator5 were still handica pped by low
visibility.
CLEMIJNCEAU
CONFIDENT or ARMY
Premier Clcmcnccau has added to
French confidence in the outcome OF
the great battle b. AN explanation OF
the situation 20 the parliamentary
military committee, in which he told
them the situation might safely be left
in the hands OF Frances admirable
army. His statement supplements
49,
his remarks on the state OF affairs in
the battle area.
The anniversary OF the entry OF the
United States into the war was made
the occasion abroad OF celcbrative
functions in London. Paris and Rome
and the sending OF numerous messages
or felicitation by allied leaders. a
notabl utterance was that by Pre-
micr Lloyd George, in which he pre-
dictcd that during ''the next few
weeks" tho United States would give
the Prussian military junta the sur
prise OF their lives"
ENEMY THROWN BACK AT
MOYENNEVILLE; LOSSES HEAVY
AT Moycnneviile the enemy was
thrown back with loss. Between this
point and Albert in the region Of Mes
nil, the Germans were unable to dis
lodge the British from their dcfenses.
Southeast Of Gommecourt. in the re-
gion OF Scrre. north OF Mcsnil, the
British launched an attack and cap
tured 1c0 prisoners.
In vigorous countcrattacks the
French have driven the Germans from
! positions north of Montdidicr. At
Mailly-Eaneval, where he made gains
before. the enemy was driven back.
| Further south, ct Cantigny, the French
attackers gained and held the north
crn and western outskirts OF the town.
| On the LnssignyNoyon sector the
French also made Il slight advance
north OF Mount Rcnaud. There has
been lively artillery activity here as
well as around Verdun.
| AMERICA HAS MILLION AND
| HALF MEN UNDER ARMS
| The end of Americas first war year
! finds more than 1.500,000 soldiers un-
| der arms. many thousands OF whom are
| in France. On several sectors of the
| lighting front, American troops are
facing the enemy and learning how to
| fight and overcome cunning and ruth
| less foe. The war expenditure has
! been $4,000. 100000 for the first year.
| Uncle Sans navy, greatly enlarged,
! continues to aid the allied fleets in
keeping the vital sea lanes open against
| the submarines. and TO hold the enemy
navy within its harbors
Japanese naval forces have hccn
landed at Vladivostok. Eastern Siberia,
to protect Japanese citizens and prop
erty. The landing is declared to have
no connection with the possibility Of
armed Japanese Intervention in ST.
| IBERIA.