Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1918-04-25
BY Associated Press.

Field Marshal Haig's troops took the
aggressive last night On the southern
side of the Lys battle front with quick
and decisive results. They compelled
the Germans to give up small bits OF
ground in the Givenchy- Festubert sec
tor which We're oil the enemy had to
show for his costly all-day attacks OF
Thursday.
The British counter blow resulted in
the attainment of all the detectives
sought and in the complete reestab-
lishmcnt of the British line as 1t ex-
listed before the Germans struck on
Thursday.
The only offensive action on the Ger
man side reported from the British
front was in the Robecq region near
the westerly tip of the Lys salient. The
enemy met no success here. the Brit
ish driving him back to his positions.
Fee! Out Hun Strength.
There is possible significance in raid
ing operations carried out by the Brit
lsh south along the line below tho
Scarpe river, just to the southeast Of
Arras. Apparently 1t was intended to.
develop what forces the Germans ave
ready for an attack in this region. II
resulted in the taking OF prisoners,
machine guns and trench mortars. A
German ounter attack was repulsed.
Germany probably still has many re-
serve divisions and there is little doubt
that her masters will use up the last
division in their attempts to crush eth
er the British or the French. The Brit
ish have borne the brunt of the present
campaign. which will end it's first month
today, and their line Is still unbroken.
The enemy a not been able to pierce
it n roll up n side as he apparently
intended.
Facing them today on the western
front the Germans find British. French,
American, Belgian, Portuguese and
Italian troops. The number is i~ncreas-
ing constantly, while the Germans un-
doubtedly have used up their veteran
divisions in the battles Of the past
month.
Cannot Stop Now.
The Germans cannot halt now IL they
would attempt to crush the allies while
they themselves yet have. strength.
Field Marshal Haig's FABIAN tactics
have been moro h a match for tho
strong head on PUSHES of the Germans
In q month of the heaviest fighting
of the war the Germans have gained
nothing the allies could not afford to
lose. when at he same time they could
inflict losses more han commensurate
with the value Of the positions ssacri-
llCcu. vi lACl, lIlS EAlllCS llOW are In
a better position for an overpowering
offensive move than they were on
March 81.
Hope to outflank vimy.
II seems not improbable that the en-
envy will again essay a drive around
Arras, although he failed signally there
In the carly stages OF the battle some
weeks ago, the Germans rave got to
force back the British lines between
ATras and Albert before they can 20
much further ahead In their push on
the Somme battle front. as their right
flank Is held fast by the British from
Vimy to Albert, and has not been able
to keep pace with their left. south OF
the Somme.
The British anchor point on this lire
| is Vimy ridge, north OF Arras, the turn.
ing of which from the north has been
| assumed to be one Of the German obs
| jectiyess in driving in the salient along
| the Lys, whence they apparently hoped
to work southwark. Stopped in this at
tempt by the British in the fighting
On Thursday and yesterday, they must
either strike here again or attack with
@ similar purpos elsewhere, ff Why
II the line it supports is not stifl to
stand i'll the Way of their scutherly
drive.
In tho sectors of the southern battN
froI.t::sald by the French. there was a
| CONTINUATION Of the heavy artillery duel
between Lassigny and Noyon, toward:
the French right flank. The only in
fantry operation was a raiding attempt
blythe Germans near Hangard, snuth-1
east OF Amiens. In which the advAnt-3
age was with the French, who took
prisoners, including An officer