The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-04-06
A|N|ENS WILL De
HELD At EVERY
COST BY F OCH
ENTENTE ARMIES HAVE
MADE LAST RETREAT
Fighting Near Albert Shows
German Attempt to Out
flank the Allies.

In a renewed battle which has
lasted since Thursday and which
probably is still continuing with the
utmost fury. the Germans have been
hurting massed divisions against the
British and French lines from far
north Of Albert to a short distance
north Of Montdidier. Probably there
has not been a more sanguinary bat
tie fought since the beginning OF the
Teutonic offensive. March 81. than
this, which has for its objective the
driving Of a wedge between the Brit
ish and French armies, the cutting of
the Paris-AIniens railroad. south OF,
Amiens, and the capture Of that city.
But. in spite OF the power Of the
attack and the desperation OF the
fshting, the entente allied legions
have stood firm over the most Of their
front. At only two points have they
been forced to give ground. and these
are seen on the map 10 be only minor
successes, when compared with the
sacrifice Of lives which they have
cost. Just to the southwest OF Al
bert, the British have withdrawn q
short distance, and the French have
given UP the village Of Castel, west
Of Moreuil. which has been the storm
center Of the German assaults for the
last fewi days. At this point the
Teu:ons are within three miles Of the
Parls-Amiens road.
The German official statement
claims that successes both north and
south Of the Somme have been won.
and that the number OF prisoners
taken since the beginning OF the drive
has Increased to 10000 and the guns
captured now to:al 1900.
It seems probable that the entente
allies have abandoned their Fabian
tactics and now arc prepared to give
battle to the Gernan$. They have
fixed their lines about twelve miles
east Of the city Of Amiens, and IT Is
evident that here they have turned at
bay against the invaders. The con.
tour Of tho country back Of the allied
lines lends itself to defensive tactics
1t is quito high and Is Of . character
which compels attacking forces to
expose themselves to concentrations
OF fire from artillery and infantry.
1t ID necessary for the Germans to
BREAK through the British and French
lines In this region or to outflank the
allies by q drive to tho north and
south of It. Tho fighting near Albert
and north Of Montdidier seems to
have for its object the turning OF the
allied positions. That the Albert and
Moreuil sectors arc vital to the allied
defense Is shown by the stern resist
ance maintained there In the Last two
days.
The daHnins Of the first anniver-
sary Of the entry of the United States
into the war finds General Pcrshing's
veterans somewhere In the
zone. How many there are:
units have been chosen for the -.
and where they will make their FIRST
appearance is not known 1t Is prob
able. however. that an American army
Of some proportions is either actually
in the struggle or is held In reserve
Immediately behind the lines.
In spite Of the terrific strain to
which they have been subjected. the
allies have struck back at the Ger
mans and have regained some ground.
One Of these points is near Givesnes.
a short distance northwest Of Mont
didier. another near Hebuserne and
another between Montdidicr and
Noyon, near the village Of Orvillers-
(conti1asd on HAgs Honxess1>