New-York tribune., 1918-04-16
Ludendorf Centres
Heaviest Guns on
The British Left
By Arthur S. Draper
I Tribune Cable .Serrice1

LONDON, April 15.-Though the
British are fighting brilliantly and
gallantly, the ever increasing German
masses have forced them back slightly
and again the situation around the
Ypres bastion is gravely serious.
Haig reports the enemy has taken
Neuve Eglise second time, and con-
scquently the British hold on Balleul
is precarious. The loss of Bailleul is
a secondary matter now, however, for
the town has been under the enemy's
direct fire for four days, and is Of
little consequence as a railway centre.
But Baillcul even now means much
TO the British, who have their backs
to the we'll. 1t is at the foot of a
series Of heights which guard the
plains OF Flanders, and any enemy ad
vance in this direction cmbarrasses the
whole British army in the North
Foe Rushes Up More Guns
Ludendorff has collected divisions
from every quarter, he has brought up
more guns. and ne seems determined
to press against the British left flank
until it breaks or exhaustion over
powers his forces
On this side Of the line every weak
spot is being reinforced, every opening
closed, by the Anglo-French reserves.
In the centre and the southern portions
of the battlefront their presence -
shown by the counter thrusts in the
ighborhood Of Merville and Robecq.
From Mont KENNEL and Schcrpcn-
berg the British are able to shell Nueve
Eglise, which is about five miles from
Dickcbusch, the first place on the plain
Of Ypres to the north. That is the
width Of the natural defences behind
the British.
Bailleul is almost pockctcd, it's pres
ent position greatly resembling that
of Armentiercs at this time last week.
The direction Of the German attacks is
from the east. south and southwest, the
latter waiting on the developments in
the neighborhood of Ncuve Eglise.
AS illustrating the enemy's dctermi-
nation, it is only necessary to turn to
Haig's report where he states the Ger
mans made seven attacks near Mer-
vile. Though he does not mention the
number around Neuve Eglise, it is
known that division after division was
thrown in there and at. Wulvcrghcm.
Such fighting means Unprecedented
losses, and there comes in the qucs-
tlon OF the size or the reserves
Counter attacks are also costly 1t
is unreasonable to expect the Allied
reserves to be thrown into a big coun-
ter thrust, because the enemy holds the
initiative and has men to strike in
two or possible three places gimultanc-
ously.
British Not Weakening
Plumcr has handled his army with
great skill and the loss Of Ncuye
Eglisc has not weakened in the least
confidence in his ability to block the
way provided the supply Of renerves is
adequate. The bull rushcs OF the
enemy on ths front cannot continue
indefinitely, and though there still are
no signs OF pausc, the pace is likely
70 slacken soon not, however, until
inc enemy's progresa IL checked def
nite!y for two or three days.
The Germans hitherto have made no
attempts TO penetrate the considerable
forsst Of Nieppc, covering the south ,
eastcrn approaches 10 Hazcbrouck and
protecting Are. II they develop their
success al Ncuye Eglsc n circling
movement toward Hazcbrouck may bn
expected,
Summarizing the situation in the
north, it might be raid the tide is still