South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-31
BY Frank n. SimondS.
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&c by the amos o. desrueon OF Brltsh forees

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BY almost total destruction Of British forces
between the Somme and the Disc
Tuesday we discern any real improve
ment Of the British prospects BY this British
been driven clear across the old somme battle
field and are standing from Arras to Albert almost
the lines from which they began great attack
o. July /, 1916 they have lost the famous Albert
ridge. they have lost all ground north and south
Of the Somme, which was the prize six months of
battle. But north Of the Somme the German advance
has begun to slow down and the dangerous wedge
which had been driven in the British lines west OF
the Bapaume road has been Strengthened by Brit
ish retirement behind the Ancre.
SITUATION IMPROVES TO SOUTH
South Of the somme the situation is still bad but
improving. More French troops are coming
and the along the Disc is being held
firmly. although Noyon evacuated The sector
OF greatest German activity now is in the plain OF
santerre where Caselnau great victory about
Roye and Chaulnes in September. 1914 Roye and
Chaulnes destined and the German push
directly toward Amers goes forward on this day with
sackening pace, but with material gain
Wednesday the Germans stopped north OF the
somme with the single gain Of Albert which was inside
British lines when the somme battle began. Thence
northward the British hold tie bank of the Ancre
20 the bend thence high ground which
formed part Of their original on this day Cen
Maurice, British director OF military operations. de-
clares that the German north Of the Somme has
been definitely checked
Far the the other end of the battle front
the French defense has sfened and the hills above
Noyon being held beyond the hills and north of
Iassgny the German advance is continuing and is
well beyond Roye ChauInes and breaking into
ground which held the French when the somn,e
attack began in 1916.
GERMAN FRONT Is NARROWED.
And this is the situation that exists this review
is closed Friday night attacking front has
been narrowed from so TO less than 20 miles and is
becoming dangerous salient open from the
northern and southern hanks. On more than half the
front the German has practically ceased and
only in front Of Amiens. than 20 miles away
does the German push remain dangerous and I'M
checked Accordingly the simple problem now posed IS
whether by delaying engagements or by counter at
tacks the allies can either halt throw back the
German point which driving into their lines
We can see roughly what the Germans have and
have not accomplished in this week. They have
broken through. they have the greatest sue
in fierce warfare captured thousands Of
prisoners, hundreds Of guns almost ncalculabie
amount OF material. They have advanced moro
than G5 miles wide front. They have in week
regained ground which the British and French a
year of campaigning and exceedingly heavy costs in
casualties They have restored a war of movement
and they have demonstrated the war OF position
at least temporarily, he interrupted provided the
assaiant IS willing to spend the and the munition
Further than this there blinking the fact thst
many the Germans have been on the edge
of supreme success, which would follow from a
breaking OF the British lines and the driving OF a
wedge either between portions the British army OF
between the British and French armies. Maurice con-
cedes that there deadly peril OF this Saturday
and again Monday north of the Somme while south
of the somme the peril has been it not
yet quite abolished.
GERMAN PACE SLOWS DOWN.
Now the single thing the Germans have not vet
succeeded in doing breaking continuity Of
the line destroying the forces on his front by
the weight OF his blow. French troops who
holding the line in front Verdun hung on un-
I'll Petain arrived with his army. giving up
ground but holding back the food the British have
hung striking and ing the week. and
the last half OF the week has seen slowing down Of
German pace. due perhaps part O difficulties
and the growing WEAKNESS of their men, but
part the arrival British reserves and
the stinening Of British resistance
The Germans have. then won great battle and
there is still the possibility the of the first
week that they will a decisive battle which has so
far eNcaped them But the chances Of this are now
beginning diminish The allies have reserve armies
they have put these reserve armies in yet and
they would put them in until favorable moment
they had choice The situation although it has been
desperate. has improved and the absence the
would Indicate the waiting for the
best moment for time have been allowed FOR
concentration Of the armies Petans first troops got