The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-03-30

the uftn or SlXlu uay ol euS oiACA'is %
cutting the Calais-Paris railway. Yet
Amiens still stands.
Similarity Aras which was yester-
days immediate object, with V1my,
remains in the hands of the British.
The kaisers storm troops were
checked by the whitening fire from
machine guns and artillery.
Further cyclonic fighting Is expect
ed along the whole line. The first
flush of the enemy 5 enthusiasm is
past. Prisoners say the offensive is
! not going as well as was expected.
While their losses are high, German
discipline will undoubtedly continue
| the offensive, though their spirits are
much lower than at the start.
About eighty divisions (960,O00
mem have already participated.
Many of these We're badly mauled
and are unfit to return to the firing
line. Before the tide definitely turns,
fresh divisions are being hurried to-
ward the battle, while the enemy
though tired, is trying to advance
everywhere possible, particularly
south of the Somme in an effort to
reach the Amiens-Paris railway.
Against the British alone. forty
one divisions were hurled the first
day of the battle; eleven more the
second; four more the third; nine
more the fourth: six more the fifth;
six more the seventh: one more the
eighth and about five thereafter.
Slowly, but surely. the enemy is
steadily losing Roadway. On the
contrary, Hindenburg was expected
to gain momentum as the first strong
lly entrenched positions; were passed.
Meantime the enemy's main thrusts
are in the southwark, where the Ger
mans are trying to drive wedge
between the French and British.
Cavalry Taking Part
LONDON, March 30.-We were
pressed back at Demuin and Mezieres,
south OF the Somme, but at the latte
village we counter attacked and took
a number of prisoners, Field Marsha.
Haig reported today.
only local actions have taken place
north of the Somme during the past
week.
Our cavalry has fought with grea.
gallantry, both mounted and dis
mounted, and has repulsed the en-
envy with heavy losses in numerous
enga gements."
[By Henry Wood. United Press STAFF
Correspondent
WITH THE FRENCH ARMIES IN
THE FIELD, March 2S.-Since Gen
eral French, at Ypres, prevented the
Germans from turning the British
flank by stretching out his little
army until 1t reached the North sea,
no more brilliant movement has been
executed on the west front than the
manner in which the French general
staff night and day kept up contact
with the British armies doggedly re-
treating to the northward. The
French steadily extended their lines
from the region of LaFere TO beyond
Montdidier. This successful operation
has definitely broken up what is now
known to have been the original
German plan, namely, following the
Bavarian crown prince expected rup-
ture of the British front, for the Ger
man crown princes army to pass
through the breach and march on
Paris by way of the Disc valley.
While barring the latter movement
by holding the Disc line solidly. the
French kept up contact with the
British. This was accomplished only
by masterfui handling of the French |
reseryes-throwtng in infantry divi- |!
sions when they arrived in time, |
otherwise using cavalry divisions
when quick action was necessary,
while artillery was rushed rapidly |
along the entire front
Meantime. every French division
was resisting heroically. necessitat- |!
ing often fifteen German attacks to
dislodge them.
Prisoners declare they were driven |.
to the attack by officers welding |
whips.
British Casualties.
LONDON, March 30.-British cast
alties published during March totalei !
1858, according to computations !
made today from official lists.
This is the smallest British casual. |
ty list since last August and obvious |
ly does not include the total losses in !
the present German drive