Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-29

! office reports today. Despite heavy
German attacks the French held to
| positions taken yesterday in this
! region.
Monchel was taken by French troops.
North Of Montidldier French and
British troops held up the German
thrus. The German losses have been
extremely heavy. The statement fol-
lows:
"The battle was continued violently
last night in the region Of Montdidier.
Notwithstanding repeated counter at
! tacks the enemy was not able to dis
lodge the French from villages capt
ured yesterday. The French took Mon
che. after violent fighting. In front on
Plessier- de- Roye there has been viol-
ent fiahting. All the German attacks
against this village broke before the
/ indominitable resistance Of the French
troops. Prisoners declare the losses by
the German are extremely heavy. The
number Of corpses found near Montdi-
der and Plessier- e-Roye also con-
firm this statement.
'To the north of Montdidier Franco
British troops continue to hold the
line along the Avre rive and in front
of Neuville, Siere Bernard, Mexieres,
Marcelcavc and Hame1.
| German columns of German infant
ry and conveys reported on the road
| between Laon and LaFere were
| brought under the fire Of our long
range artillery and dispersed. There
has been notable artillery activity
along the remainder of the 'front.'
French Reports Encouraging.
Reports Of yesterdays operations
| are encouraging in two particulars
| reinforcing the calm confidence which
| is felt here.
! The first was the plainly marked
check in the attempt Of the Germans
| to extend the battle north Of Arras.
The second feature is the effective
and increasing reaction on the part OF
the allies resulting in important sue
! cesses, particularly in the region OF
Montdidier
1 In thes chamber Of deputies 5Premie,
Clemenceau said:
! II slept last night and slept well.
had not done that for some time"
Louis Loucheur, minister of muni
tions, who also came back from the
front, spoke Of the situation in the
most hopeful way.
New Method Of Attack.
The Germans are employing a new
| method of attack. the most conspicu-
Gus feature Of which is smoke clouds
OF camouflage, behind which the at
hackers advance. After short artil-
| lery preparation, the first wave, made
up of infantry and machine guns and
small cannon, is sent forward firing al
range Of 1000 yards.
1t is ordered to fire on the reserves
| disregarding Of the opposing forces
right at hand, which the succeeding
wave must meet.
| 1t is tended thus to paralyze counter
attacks by reserves. AS a result the
first waves almost entirely are wiped
! out. The second wave then passes
ahead, to be- followed by third and
SO on. Thus the onooming waves have
| succeeded one another in the eight
days of the conflict.
Says Situation Improves.
Marcel Sembat, former minister OF
| public works, in L'Heur writes:
"The situation is improving for ue
and is improving rapidly. The German
attack in the Montdidier region is
likely to prove a formidable failure
Toward Amiens their attacks are
| meeting with a stubborn defense. They
must have Amiens to cut off the Brit
ish. They must reach the sea. to at
tempt an enveloping movement
Nothing will be spared to defend
AmierS 70 tho 1asto