Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-26
'PERSH|NG'S ARMY
|. PLAYING A PART
IN BIG STRUGGLE
German Attacks in Amiens
Region Fail, Except at
Hangard-en-Santerre.
CHURCHILL SAYS BRITAIN
CAN FIGHT UNTIL WINTER
Situation Between Germany and
Holland Is Admittedly
Quite Serious.
BRITISH TAKE 600 PRISONERS
Allied Troops Withdraw Slightly on
Line Between BailIcul and
Wytschaetc.
CHURCHILL SAYS BRITAIN
CAN FIGHT UNTIL WINTER
BRITISH TAKE 600 PRISONERS
Allied Troops Withdraw Slightly on
Line Between Baillcul and
WytSchaetc.
INV Assoc.a,ed pr.ss1

by Associated spreSSI
The great double German drive in
the Sommc and Armentiercs sectors,
which began "Wednesday morning. has
developed into terrific struggle. The
tide OF battle has surged to and fro
during the last two days. with tho
decision still In the balance. The Brit
ish, having been forced back out or
lers-BrctonncuS, launched coun-
tcrattack and swept the Germans back
almost to the lines which were held
before the present lighting began. The
French have been driven back out Of
lIanGard -cn -Santcrre, but are holding
their positions close by, while on tho
limo southwest CT ipres the British
have been compelled 10 Withdrew
slightly before furious attacks along
the Metercn- -Baillcul- -Wytschaetc line
Wounded Americans are arriving at
a hospital behind the French lines in
the Somme sector. showing that Gen
eral Pershing's men are bearing their
share Of the burden of the great battle.
Notwithstanding tho frantic prepar-
ations made by the Germans for a con-
tinuance of their drive toward Amiens
and the extreme violence of the Fight
ing, their gains thus far In that ire
Sion nave been very small. Along the
line from Albert south to Castc,, cy.
cept at iansard- -cn -Santerrc. the Ger.
man assaults have been hurled Back
by the allied forces, which are strongly
posted on the higher ground to wt1irh
they retired during the last days OF
the German drive in Picardy.
Loss or MONT KEMMEL ~ ~
uN0FFICIALLY REPORTED
1t is unonicially reported that four
to six German divisions. or from, $4,000
TO 1000 men. have been hurled at the
British and French lines near Ypre..
The retirement OF the British in this
sector must have been small, for there
arc no great gains reported by Eerlin
so far II was rumored Thursda ytthat
Mont kcmmci, dominating hcigfft
north of WulverEhem. had been ,xlian
by the enemy, bIt this has not been
confirmed.
That only slight gains have been
Inad2 anywhere along the two fronts
which have been subjected 10 attack
Is proof that The allies are preparel
TO defend their positions. In tho last
'hrce weeks. the Germans have hur
ried UP heavy cannon to the old Sorrtmc
oattie ground and have marched MANY
iresh divisions to tho points where they
''A> oecH Heio TOT the moment offat.
tack Their failure TO do more ,by,,
gain almost insignificant bits Of -roi;Tns,,
Is one of the most encouraging fs,,
lures of the lighting that now is go. go.
ing on and which may be looked unon
as tho third phase of the -.ca, go
man offensive ~:
Raiding operations arc repor,ed a,nn-
inc French lines east OF Montdidier
DuTCH-GERMAN CRISIS
ADMITTEDLY Is GRAVE
1t is officially announced at Tb.
Hague that the negotiations between
Germany and Holland arc mot pro.
crossing satisfactorily" The Dutch
Foreign Minister has declined to give
the details Of the situation between
the two countries, which is admittedty
qGitc delicate.
winston Spencer Churchill. British
Minister of Munitions speaking in the
House OF Commons said that notwith-
standing the strain on production. and
inc losses in arms and materiar dir
ing the great battles of the last montn.
the losses had been made good almost
twicc over. and that so we'll had plans
been made that the British can continue
tho tight at its great intensity untfl
next winter