American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-05-31
II HUNS DRIVE.


Although the experts assured us
that the Germans we're about to renew
their drive in Picardy. we took the
liberty OF suggesting that the next
blow would be at the heart OF France
and that II might be struck in the
Champagne country. What appears to
be a major offensive has just been
launched In that region. but IL IS a
little too early TO say that II Is the
chief offensive planned by the German
general staff. AT this time the indi-
cations are that Il will be pressed
with the utmost energy TO a conclu-
sion and yet there Is some slight war
rant for the opinion that the enemy
might suddenly shift his attack and
strike toward Amiens or southwark
toward Paris on the old Picardy battle
ground.
The central position which the Ger
mans occupy has made IL difficult for
the allies 10 determine whether the
enemy would strike to the west or 10
the south. Preparations for either Of
fensiye might go forward In the same
localities, for a titanic offensive Is
prepared many miles behind the lines
as we'll as at the front. At the last
moment guns pointing south In ser
ried ranks might suddenly be pointed
west and the legions which had given
every appearance Of being sent for
ward 10 the Aisne might rush west
ward into Picardy. That is about
what happened in March. At that
time the allied observers thought they
had ample proof OF the enemy's in
tention to begin his offensive between
scissors and Rheims. On March IL
after a bombardment of 1--WE hours. the
enemy moved west instead OF south
and pierced the allied lines between
La Fere and Arras.
Since the battle OF Picardy has sub
sided the enemy has concentrated his
new and repaired divisions in the same
zones In which he concentrated for
the offensive OF March 81.
The dispatches seem to show that
General Foch was not taken by sur
prise. Four or five British divisions
we're uncovered in the Aisne-Cham-
payne sector as soon as the enemy
commenced his attacks. Evidently an
entire British army Is In that region
assisting the French.
InN INnnllh VI tnt D. WV -
lighting are not decisive. although
the allies have been badly worsted.
While the Franco-Brltish line was not
pierced, as In the Picardy drive, IL
was bent back quickly a distance OF
four miles 10 the Aisne river and on
a considerable frontage the British
we're forced across and beyond that
stream. They must have lost some
thousands of prisoners and 8 stores,
hut they we're able 10 inflict heavy
LOSSES upon the Huns. On the second
day the French and British appear TO
have been forced back seven to ten
miles from the points they held Nhen
the offensive started.
Only a sweeping triumph can JUS
tify an offensive of great magnitude
II he Germans fail to achieve their
objective. they Will have sacrihced
their man power in vain. and II Is on
ly a question Of time when their num-
erlcal superiority will have been over
TONED by the allies. Already they
have expended a large part OF the man
mower they brought from the Russian
front and before the year ends all of II
will have been accounted for. II the
Germans continue on the offensive anu
continue TO fail.
The French and British quickly LOST
the celebrated OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OIL
the "Hogback" north of the Alsne
The counter-attack reported TUESDAY
was not in this sector. but In Fland-
ers on the Aisne the Franco-Brit
ish forces have not recovered from th'
initial enemy stroke and are lighting
desperatcly on the defensive to pre-
vent the Zoe from developing his sue
cess Salt Lake Tribune.