Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-04-23
NO INFANTRY ACTION ON FRONTS
ARTILLERY DUEL ON AT ALBERT

Events along the battle line in
France and Belgium seem to be shap-
ing themselves for a resumption of
the great German offensive Since
the savage attack on the American
forces at Seicheprey on SATURDAY
there has ben no fighting of an extra
ordinary nature along the front, but
there have been indications that the
Tcutons are almost ready to resume
the sledge blow they have been aim
ing at the allied armies.
Unless recent operations have been
feints it is probable that the coming
week will witness two great turning
movements by the Germans. one
probably will pivot on the village OF
Robecqu northwest of Bethune, on
the southern side Of the salient driv-
en- into the allied lines back of Az
mentieres. The other is expected 10
develop at or near Mcsnil. north Of
Albert on the north side Of the
Somme salient.
The purpose of these movements
will be to cut deep into the allied
lines on each side of the promontoly
that projects out into German-he.!
territory and terminates on the Oh
lArras-Lens front. The Germans have
ATTEMPTED two great frontal attacks
on the defense of Lens and Arras, but
they have been repulsed with teri
lie losses. These losses were iniilcted
upon the enemy before he reached th@
stronger allied positions in that St.
tor. and since the second defeat at
Festubert and Givenchy the Germans
have not cared to take up the task
of driving the Canadians from thelS
positions along Nimy Ridge and on
each end of that great natural bull
wark before Arras.
If successful attacks were to be
launched by the Germans at no
ibecu and Mesnil, the British might
be forced to withdraw from ArraS
without having chance TO delehc
their positions there. Heavy artillery
fire at both places has been reporter
and a local attack at Mesnils showed
that the Germans were capable at
mat point of resuming offensive OPP
erations.
Along the line of the Lys, southwest
Of WIRES on the northern front, there
has not been any notable fighting, nor
have the Germans again eSsayed the
breaking Of the Belgian line north OF
Ypres since King Aloerts men smashed
a great assault on that part or me
front. South OF Albert at Nlllers-Bre-
tonneux, there has been a continuous
artillery duel for the past couple OF
DAVIS and a German attack there may
be expected soon.
on the line held by the French from
Albert south to Montdidier and thence
east to the old battle line there has
been lively artillery fighting.
The attack on. the Americans AT
Seicheprey east of st. Mihiel now APP
pears to have been a carefully planned
operation which had as its objective the
piercing of the American line, perhaps
the splitting Of the American and
French forces which are holding ada
cent positions there. IT met with de
feat however, and the line, which was
denied by the fury Of the Teuton at
tack. has again been restored.
| Andrew Bonar Law, chancellor Of the
i British exchequer, has introduced in
! Parliament the budget bill for the COM
ing year. Great Britain's expenditures
for the period covered by the measure
are estimated at about 81, $50 9S5 900, Of
which approximately 81, 30, 600 will be
raised by taxation, leaving a balance of
nearly SO, $4,000 to be borrowed At
the end of the present year the national
debt of Great Britain will be about $50,
@ooodN,ooo, of which IS, 160, 100000 will be
due her from the Allies.