The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-04-08
SECOND STAGE
 GREAT BATTLE
 IS VERY NEAR
British Improve Positions, Strengthen Weaker Places--Both Sides Pre- pairing for Renewal of Ci-
 gandc Struggle
Associated Press)

2-Ihe British yesterday improved their position Dy an al tack delivered against the enemy lines south o Hangard which restored their former lines and pushed the Germans back from commanding elevations. Two German assaults epulsed which essayed order to restore the enemy positions South of Hebuerne the British conducted successful local attack and repused an enemy counter assault.
 Prisoners captured by the British tell of awful losses inflicted by the British fire. They say that German d lost seventy per of its fighting strength, others fifty, forty thirty and twenty while the average com pany strength of one division was reduced to forty men,
 RESTING AT PICARDY
 DATELESS-The large scale infantry operations on the plains of Pcardy have died down. Both sides ev deltly preparing for the next move.
 The Germans checked in their attempt to advance to- ward Amens are bringing up artillery. The French and British forces have made small gains between the So,nme river and Demun The Germans have apparently learned that infantry attacks without great artillery prepa ratons costly and ruitless. German artieying IS weak indicating that they have been unable to the big guns yet Seventyseven German divisions in line waiting for the arrival of the before attempting another gigantic effort to reach Amiens.
 In the meantime the allies not only preparing to German offensive but also to launch of their It is reported that the enemy massng great forces at Albert The British look for heavy attacks north of the Somme river within short time.
 LULU IN FIGHTING
 LONDON April 2:-The day passed quietly along the entire British front with few engagements of minor char which involved great number of extended any great portion of the front. There has been serious fighting along the French front Both sides a parenty gathering up all their for the resumpo
 
 BERLIN OFFICIAL
 BERLIN, April 2-A series ot strong enemy attacks Hebuterne and against the heights between the Luce and Avre rivers broken down today by the German forces and heavy losses inflicted upon the enemy No heavy fighting of any importance is reported by the of flee today.
 ARTILLERYING BEGINS
 PARIS, April 2.-Ohcia-The official communiqle that spirited arlleryng between Montddier and Las sigy has been for several hours. East of Cangney the French batteries caught the enemy concentration and sr fboo pEc
 Strong German reconnaissance parties on the lett bank of the Disc river repulsed Similar enemy activities upper Woevre and upper Alsace also broken up
 BRITISH STORM WOOD
 BRITISH HEADQUARTERS IN FRANCE, April 2 -OAcial-Large British forces this afternoon stormed number of strongly held German positions in dense wood the enemy forces withdrew, leaving the ground cred with dead Germans The British forces still press ing against the enemy with some success.
 MASSING FORCES
 LONDON April 2.-A Reuters dispatch from the British front received this afternoon says that the Germans mobilizing great of and guns between the Some river and Mondidier with the evident intention of making another great drive against Amiens It the prob able aim of the enemy pierce the allied front here and proach the British center of communications from the south Slde
 BULGARs NOT FIGHTING
 WASHINGTON, D. C., April 2-The American con- su answering inquiry from the state department today wires from Sofia that troops have been moved the front for in the German offensive stated yesterday is believed here that the reports prev ously received in
 ALLIES ADVANCED
 PARIS, April 2-OAcial- 1.-The office announces this morning that the combined forces of the British and French advanced last night between the Somme river and Demuin All activity between the Disc river and the Somme at a standsll last night.
 BRITISH TAKE PRISONERS
 LONDON, April 2-The office states that the British took fifty prisoners between the Luce and Avre r Hebuterne this morning. The British made cesful stand here, capturing number of machine guns and repulsing strong German counter attack.
 MECHANICS FIRST IN FIGHT
 WITH THE AMERICANS IN FRANCE, April D. large number of American mechanics have arrived the British front and cooperating with the British flyers This force is the first arrive from the American training