The sun., 1918-03-24
considerable Part of British Army
Beaten" Asserts Berlin-"Stin
Heavily Engaged" Is General
Haig's Laconic Report
FIGHTING is HAND TO HAND AT
MANY POINTS ON SIXTY MILE LINE
Enemy's Drive at Junction With the French
May Force Also Retirement of the Latter
to Avert a Break---T Terrific Cannonad-
ing Plainly Heard in London

LONDON, March 2a-The first stage of the great battle
France in which at least 100000 perhaps 100000
involved in the most desperate fighting of the
front of nearly sixty miles, finished with the Germans
claiming the advantage all along the line from Mcnchy
Arras the north La Fere the SOUTH where British
sector ends and the French begins "A considerable part of
the British BEATEN Berlin The Germans assert
also that they have taken 5000 prisoners addition
400 field and 800 machine The casualties for the
three days fighting estimated at 100000 German and
100000 British.
The greatest penetration of the British line by the
just below St. Quentin where nine miles, Late
yesterday the German attack, which its
the northern end of the line just of Cambria shifted
suddenly to the extreme southern end Here such
of men and metal concentrated that the British
could not withstand it.
Enemy Seeking to Drive Wedge.
The line broke and the Germans poured through the gap
the British rereaed positions the region devas-
taed by the Germans in their retreat last spring The Ger
followed up promptly and the heaviest fighting is
tonight before the position which Ham,
about eleven miles southwest of ST. Quentin.
is believed that the plan of the Germans to drive
wedge here between the British and French armies at their
junction. always weak point and if they break through
push the Somme Canal toward Compegn and Paris
1t is clear that they making supreme this
point they have put their cavalry in the field follow up
the victory which they expect their infantry VIM
In the north where the fighting intense up to
yesterday evening" the British holding WELL At Mory,
northwest of Cambria the Germans attained their greatest
penetration in this section, about four miles Terrific fighting
in there and Mory already has changed hands
several times.
Roar of Guns Heard in London.
Although erocous hand to hand fighting is in progress
all along the ne particularly the south and north
there no let in the artillery fire, which by
tremendous that has been guns
distinctly heard tonight in London, than 1870 miles
direct line from ST. Quentin. In the high places in London
continuous throbbng is audible and many persons tonight
went to the housetops to listen.
Field Marshal aig, the British Commander in Chief re-
ports tonight that the British have taken positions
south and of ST. Quentin and heavily engaged with
the enemy. This retirement would imply with
drawal of the French aso but report such movement
has been received although is rumored that the were
under attack to-day the junction with the British the
Disc River.
Vienna announces tonight that great has been
in the west Neither this that of Berlin
that considerable of the British beaten
is borne out by the facts far they known
ure by the Germans of 5000 is regarded not i'm
probable that number would not be the
circumstances and in view of the number men engaged
The Berlin statement reports tn" and Morche,
capture two villages the ron two
Noeure 'front.' nnN \hucouTt behind