Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-03-27

New York, March 2I.---E Exactly %
months after the Germans began the
historic battle Of Vcrdun, the thun-
der of their guns decpened into a
tempest of fire along the British
front In Northern France, and they
began what may be tho greatest bat
tie of the war, Il struggle which may
lead to results which will shape the
lcstinics OF millions of people over
coming centuries.
The attack was made on a scale
hitherto unknown during this war Of
major offcnsivcs. 1t was over a
front Of 80 miles. Omcial 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.
Field Marshal IIaig, in his report
OF the attack, states that the German
casualties were extremely heavy and
that at no point did the Tentons at
tain their objcctivcs, although the
British lines were penetrated at some
places.
The bombardmcnt began at 3
o'clock Thursday morning. just be-
fore the early spring dawn was
breaking over Eastern France. Shells
Of large and small calibre were rain
ed upon the lines held by tho British
for about five hours. Then German
infantry stornled out to make the
first great assault. The Germans.
favored by the wind, moved Toward
under cover Of pail Of smoke which
hid the assaulting columns from the
eyes Of the British holding the front
lines.
Some British Lines Drawn In.
Describing tho battle, Andrew Bo-
mar Law informed the House OF Com
mons that lightly held portions OF
the British line had been withdrawn,
but said that there was no need for
alarm on the part Of the country.
The Associated Press correspond
Gnt Mt the British front reports that
an attack there had been expected
and. that great preparations had been
made to meet it. The Berlin official
report says that the Germans have
penetrated into some British posi-
tons.
Nor we're the German efforts con-
centratcd on the front held by the
British. Early Thursday morning
the Germans assaulted the French
lines near the village Of Ornes, to
the northeast Of Ncrdun, and claim
to have penetrated considerabl bic
distance. Near Rheims, too, the
French were subjected to an assault,
but here the artillery bore the bur
den OF the lighting.
Only Diversions.
The attacks at Nerdun and
Rheims, however, may be considered
for the time being as mere diversions
to tho principal attack, which has
been loosed against the British. They
would serve to keep French forces at
Verdun and Rheims from being
transferred to the British sector, If
that part OF the battle line should
show any signs Of bending back.
Nothing has been reported as 10
attacks on the lines held by Ameri-
cans. 1t had been expected that tho
Germans would make an assault on
tho Americana held trenches IN the
Lorraine and Toul sectors, acting on
the theory that troops which have
not had experience in engagements
of the first degree might be found to
yield easier than veterans. That
such an attack may yet be launched,
and with only slight artillery prepa-
ration. is within the possibilities.
The activity in the American sec
tors during the past three weeks
would indicate that the Germans
have been concerned with the diSpO-
eition OF Gen. Pershing's legions,
their probable strength and the loca-
tons Of the batteries supporting the
infantry holding the lines.
The Germans have called upon tho