The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-04-08
BIC ATTACK
BY GERMANS
BELIEVED TO
BE imminent
Intense Artillery Work Pro-
ceeding Against Allied
Lines North of River Scarpe
and South of Somme.
BRITISH MAKE GAINS
ASSOCIATED Press.)

ASSOCIATED Press)
WASHINGTON, April 8.-Every day
finds the allies in better position to
resist with definite success the Ger.
man offensive according to an oficia1
review today by the British military
attache here. French, British and
American reserves are pouring in
daily TO defend Amiens the review de-
clares.
Germany apparently is preparing for
another effort on the wide battle front
in northern France. Heavy drum fire,
such as usually precedes an attack
is reported along extensive sectors
held by the British while the Paris
war office also announced violent artil.
lery action along the French front.
The most intensive German fire
seems to be in progress south Of the
Somme where the direct drive toward
Amiens is on, and north Of the Scarpe
river, towards the British left flank.
In the Somme sector the British have
evidently been trying to better their
positions in anticipation Of the next
German push and Field Marshal Haie
reports today a slight advance OF his
line on the south bank of the Somme,
east of Vaire-Souss-Corbie.
The increase in the artillery fire
north of the Scarpe river may mean
a renewal by the Germans of theft
thrust towards Arras which broke
down utterly earlier in the battle
against the southern approaches to
Vimy ridge. They have shown their
intense anxiety to push forward their
lines in the north part Of the battle
area to diminish the danger to their
salient to the south In an allied coun.
ter blow, but have found the British
line virtually immovable all along the
front from Albert northward.
A still further extension of the bat
tie northward may be indicated as we'll
in the beginning of heavy attack
with gas shells upon the British lines,
on the six-mile front between Lens and
LaBassee canal and east Of Armenti.
eres, a dozen miles north of LaBassee.
The Germans are likewise pounding
the French lines south of the Disc,
the extreme allied right on the present
activity fighting front.
British Advance.
On the southern bank of the Som
me the British last night made small
advance. it is announced officially.
The statement follows:
I'VE advanced our line slightly dur
ing the night on the south bank OF
the Somme. east of Vaire-Souss-C Corbie
North of the Somme few prison
ers and machine gun were captured
by us in the neighborhood of Neuville-
Vitasse.
"The enemy's artillery has shown
increased activity during the night on
the whole British battle front. Heavy
hostile gas shelling has taken place
also between Lens and La Bassee
canal and east of Armentieres."
VIOLENT ARTILLERY FIRE
PARIS, April S.-Violent artillery
engagements occurred last night, es-
pecially on the left bank of the Disc
river, says today's official report.
No infantry actions on the princi-
pal battle front are reported. The
statement follows:
'The night was marked by violent
artillery actions. especially on the
left bank of the Disc.
French patrols were very active,
bringing in prisoners.
"On the left bank of the Meuse in
tlic AISDuuS HeImdH IdluS were re-
pulsed.
Enemy Efforts Fail.
Enemy efforts north of the Somme
recently have been solely in an en-
deavor to capture artillery positions,
but the Germans have not gained their
objectives.
Aerial fighting continues heavily.
French and British aviators have
brought down thirty-one enemy ma
chimes while Berlin reports the de-
struction of Is entente airplanes
From Arras to the Somme the Brit
ish line still stands as it did ten days
ago. The latest enemy attempt to at
tack was made in the region of Buc-
quoy. 90 miles north Of the Somme.
but both efforts were broken up by
the British artillery fire. Immediately
south of the Somme there has been
only local fighting with no change in
the position of the battle front
General Petafn's men still maintain
(rnpfiDuod On Ton