Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-04-19
Correspondent at Front
Reviews Conditions Up
to Today.
NO WEAK SPOT IN
HAIG'S DEFENSES
Germans Must Widen Salient in Order
to Hold Gains Already Made and
Allies Have Thus Far Blocked Ef-
fort - Germans Moved Down.
French General Says Battle viii
Last Another Month.

Ottawa, Ont. April 19!-"The Brit
ish battle line is more secure than 1T
has been for days" says a Reuter- dis
patch received here from London to-
day.
The change OF front of the German
attack to the region between Givenchy
and east Of Robecq found no weak spot
in the British resistance at the close
Of yesterdays fighting. There was only
one point in the new battle area where
the enemy gained anything. This was
opposite the Hill of Hinges. where ne
succeeded in bridging La Bassee canal
but the only Germans who crossed
came as prisoners.
Must Widen Salient to Progress.
This new German attack in the di-
rection of Bethune.' the dispatch con-
tinues, is obviously intended to pro-
tect his fianks II he wishes to drive
farther .northward. The enemy is try
ing to secure LaBassee canal with tho
object Of safeguarding his. troops
around Bailleul and imperil the British
in the French coal fields near Bethune.
The arrival OF the French support is
regarded as most important. They are
described as splendidly seasoned men.
The sight OF the long blue lines march
Ing up the roads heastehed the British.
The British withdrawal east Of Ypres
was due to the German advance from
the south along the Lys valley. threat
enine communications of the Ypres
army. Thus the distance this army
would have to retreat If the enemy
looked like breaking thru the Lys
KENNEL line has been reduced.
"The results of yesterdays fighting
shows the enemy. less likely to break
thru than heretofore.
Germans Moved Down.
Before Mount KENNEL the rugged
enemy so dearly their masses are ad
vancing openly and are moved down.
The enemy here are tying to break q
way thru Metteren. Altho we aban-
doned Metteren and Wytschaete the
enemy's position Is uncomfortable.
THE German outposts were unable
to advance beyond the north side OF
Metteren. 1t can not be said that the
general situation is less anxious but
there is increasing confidence in the
unity of command. Further thrusts at
Amiens are expected.
France ls Confident.
One of the foremost Of French gem
erals, who commanded the three
French divisions in heavy fighting
prior to April I. declared unreservedly
to Reuters correspondent with the
French army that there was nothing
disquieting. in the present battle sitia
ton, but bn the contrary, I'VE have
every good ground for confidence both
in Picarly and Flanders"
I'm 1.-The course OF This battle" the
general said, "each side would con-
tinue to ply blow and counter blow.
endeavoring By weight Of numbers or
superior skill to find the weak point
ir the enemy's armor.
After four years we are now only
within sight scf this decisive point.
The Germans still have In France un-
used reserves and fresh divisions. The
battle may continue month or more,
but the entente will continue until the
enemy reserves are gone. Then our
turn will come, with the help Of Amer
ican divisions