Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-04-16
FORCE OF DRIVE
ON THE WANE,
EXPERTS SAY
British Obey Call of Field
Marshal Haig to Stand
as Wall

Washington, April 16.-Hope that
ward the Channel ports has largely
spent itself grew here yesterday as
the British lines stood fast under re-
peated shocks. The days advices in
dicated again that Field Marshal
Haig's men were obeying to the let
ter his call for unyielding resistance.
The weekly review published by
the War Department. although it car
ried operations only up to last Sat-
urday, showed that War College
opinion saw, then Indications that the
German wave was reaching it's crest
In Allied diplomatic and military cir
cles the same impression prevailed
yesterday, strengthened by more re
cent reports from the front.
Dispatches indicate that the fiercest
lighting is on the northern line OF
the new salient driven into the Brit
ish front north of Arras. The
struggle for possession of Neuve
Eglise and towns in that region
looks to observers here like an ef-
fort by the enemy to force way
behind Ypres and the consequent
abandonment of that place and a
withdrawal of a large section of the
British line.
The Germans were in possession of
Neuve Eglise by last accounts, but
they had previously captured it, only
to be driven out again. The stua-
tion had not stabilized on this par
ticular front further than to show
that the enemy is meeting with stub
horn resistance to his effort to widen
his fighting front to the north.
Time Helps Allies
Every hour gained by the British
in holding this ground means in
creased probability that they will
hold it permanently. Time allows the
assembling of supporting forces in
sufficient strength to meet any
shock. Or should a withdrawal and
realignment on better positions be
judged desirable, time will give OPP
portunity for the preparation of these
positions.
1t is possible that the plans of
General Foch, commander-in-ch chief of
the Allied and American armies in
France, hinge upon developments in
this narrow sector of the broad bat
tlefront Such moves as he may be
&C ntemplating may well depend. it is
said. upon the stabiliZation of the
Allied left flank. On the right the
French appear to have succeeded in
effecting such a stabilization. Pre-
sumably any plans for a counter
Offensive would be dependent upon
these two positions
There is no question that many Of
ficers here view the situation as Sc
rious They do not all share the
hopeful outlook indicated by the War
College review for last week. Even
If the present thrust toward Bethune
is checked, they believe a third as
aault at so ne other portion of the
British front is to be expected, COM
ing with the suddenness of a storm
from a clear sky.
Expect Drive by Austria
There have been many reports in
dicating. that the Austro- Hungarian
forces were preparing for a drive
against the Italians. When it will
be started cannot be foretold, but
some observers think that in case of
a definite check TO the German move
ment the Austrians would launch
their effort.
In that case the scene of opera
tions on the west front might SHIFT
far to the south to the area where
American troops are on the front
The railway junction through which
French or British forces sent to
italy naturally would pass lies be-
hind that sector. 1t is believed pos
sible that the Germans might throw
their weight in that direction in an
effort to prevent any support reach
ing Italy