Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-03-22

nCtly 20 months after the Germans
began the historic battle of Nerdun,
the thunder Of their guns deepaned
into n tempest OF fire along the urit-
ish front IN northern France ana
they began what may be the greatest
battle OF .he wEr. "A struggle which
may lead TO results which wi,l ahnpe
the destinies OF millions OF people
In coming centuries,
Official reports are very brief but
correspondents at the scene tell of
the terrific storm OF artillery fire
that burst over the lines held by
Field Marshal Haig's men, the
bombardmept began NJ ) o'clock on
Thursday morning, Just before the
early spring dawn was breaking over
eastern France. Shells OF large ana
small catibrcs were rained on the
lines held by tho british for about
five hours 1hen perman infantry
storrhcd out TO mako the first gress
assault. The Germans, favored by
the wind, moved forward under cover
OF a pail OF smoke which hid the as
Aaultlng columns from the eyes OF
tho British holding the front lines.
No Need for Alarm.
Describing tho battle, Andrew Bo-
mar Law informed the house OF COM
mons that lightly held portions OF
the British lines had been Withdrawn
but said there was No need for alarm
ou the part Of tho country The
Associated Press correspondent az
itns british front reports that M nt-
tack had been expected and great
preparations had been made 70 meet
IL. The Berlin official report says
that the Germans have penetrated
into some British positions.
Nor were tho German efforts CON
centrated on the front held by the
british. Early ThurNdny morning
the Germans assaulted the French
,Ines near the village OF Ornss, TO
the northeast of verdnn and claim
TO have penetrated q considerable
distance. Near Hhoims, too, the
French were subjected To all assault
hut here the artillery bore the bur-
den Of the f,Ehtira.
Ths attacks at Verdun and Rheims,
however, may be considered for the
t,ue heing hs mere dlvsrSions 10 the
nrincipel attack. which has been
inrsed aaainst the Rrltirh, They
Wouid serve 20 keep French forces
a, Verdun and Rheims from being
,ransferred to the British sector, II
that part of the battle line should
show any signs OF bending back.
Nothing from Americans.
Nothing has been reported m to
attacka on tho lines held by the
Americans. u had been expected
that the Germans would mako an
asaault on tho AmaricRn-teld trench
es I'm tho Lorraine ana Toul sectors
THE theory that the troops which
hnvo not had experience IN engage
ments In the first degree NAV be
ha,tar than tho veterans. An attack
may vet be launched and with only
slight artillery preparation IL within
tho possibilities
The activity In tho American sec
tors during the past throe weeks
would Indicate that tho Germans
have been concerned with the dis
nosition ~ General pershinF's
iegions their probable strength and
tho locations NJ tho batteries sup
porting the infantry holding tho
lines.
The Germans have called upon
the Austrian army for assistance IN
their effort TO carry tho battle 10
the entente allies. for the official
reports from berlin say that Austro-
Hungarian artillery IN engaged
along the western front II is prob
able that the great Austrian how
tiers or skodhs have been used
against the stronger sectors OF tho
British lines.
The French official reports state
that the Germans have been sangui-
narily ropulsed IN n number ot en-
FaTements. notably on the Nerdun.
The city of Kherson. % miles
northeast ~ odessa, has been cap
turel by the TeutOuio forces. This
is an important commercial town
and Possesses fine hArhor.
Naval victory.
Two German destroyers and two
torpedo boats are believed 10 have
been destroyed In a naval hattie on
Dunklrk The Germans came Oh,
of one OF their bases N Belgium
and commenced an attack on the
city ot DunNrk French and Britlsh
torpedo boats trapped The enemy
warshlps and visited Hounn punish
NEST urou them. one British boat
was damaged IN the fight. Ostend
was bomharded nv British monitors
on Thursday ana British scaplanef
dropped shells ON Helgoland.
The British embassy At Washing
ton has announced that since thC
beginning of the war ii.s27,572 tons
of British shipping have bcsa de-.
stroycd During the year 81 1917
10. 723.623 tons. or over half the
/ total loss during the conflict were
{ lost