Republican farmer., 1918-04-19

North of St. Mhiel on Sunday night says Wolff bureau dispatch from Berlin the main part of the American posi- tons to the eastward and souheasward of MaZey the right bank of the Mouse river, taken by storm.
 large section of the main enemy lines of defense the high road from St. Mhe to Rouvrois the dispatch adds was rolled up despite the brave resistance of the enemy who suffered the severest casualties in addition to the loss of prisoners.
 Tremendous pressure by picked troops desperate German effort to drive the British from Messnes ridge has compelled slight retirement of the British line the northern side of the Lys battle field The town of Baeu has been evacuated and the British front has been withdrawn line running north of that town the north verghem and thence to Wytschaete.
 Wytschaete occupied the highest point of the easterly ridge system and the British have been firmly established there the early days of the offensive The Germans through their push into tho southwest apparently in advanta position to attack it and their expected reported developing this morning. As it forms the pivot the British line which bends north extremely determined defense of it is looked for.
 DECIDED SETBACK FOR BRITISH
 Although the less of Baeu and Of the comparative y high ground around it. such Mount de Lille and Reve burg represents setback the British British line it has been withdrawn still is ground much higher occpy The British artillery thus possesses numerous vantage points from which continue to pour in devastating fire the attacking columns Chief among these high spots Mount Kenme which towers up than the lower ground about Wuverghem miles to the southeast. Apparently Hags forces still have firm hold on all this hill region
 The present cenered the north- side of the Lys battle field mporan fighting being
 
 There indications that the Germans will start drive the southern side of the salient effort to reach Behune. The enemy artillery fire along 10 mile front from obecq Gvenchy is increasing intensity and large bodies of troops have discovered behind the German lines The British line here about mile parallel the La Bassee canal Gvenchy held by the British has not been attacked since the repuse of strong enemy efforts last week
 RENEW DRIVE ON ST. MIHIEL
 Like the Picardy the offensive Artois have itself out in the first week. The Germans have ceased their attacks along the entire front and confning their efforts to endeavor to outan the Messnes ridge
 Around Wulverghem between Neuve Egise and the Mes sines ridge heavy fighting also going The British have strengthened out their line Egse by retiring to the northwest Berlin claims to have gained the British lines northeast of Wuverghem which would bring them the Messnes ridge the eastern slope.
 In Pcardy the German attacks around Hangard have died down. British have dispersed German infantry trying advance from Demu On the rest of the French front there has been artillery fighting The Germans facing the Ameri north and east of St. Mhel have not renewed their tacks. ,o,u
 'f' GERMANS TOOK SHAMELESS *
 The Germans occupied a shambes when they took Neuve Egise The conendng forces who had battling bitterly here for days had been asking and giving quarter
 Several times the shell torn village changed hands On each occasion struggle the death with bayones the troops swred in mad melee through the crnsoned streets
 The British and the alike thought as the red heat of conflict got into their boodto fight finish and accept the fate that was in store for them.
 Aer the British recaptured the place Saturday morning they continued hold with hollow square of troops hrowr around it. The massed Germans kept flngng themselves against this thin but determined line of defenders The bat went until late last night when the pressure from whemng forces became too great and the weary dissolved to reform positions northwest of the town
 Even then the Germans found themselves in nasty sit uaon, for the British artillery immediately oened tremend ous bombardment and began pling German dead witt those that had gone before
 The London office announces today the capture o Baileul, the northern battle front by the enemy
 The British fallen positions north of Bail leu and Wulverghem. German attack southwest of Veu Ber1Iin repulsed.
 The official statement reads:
 Yesterday evening" preceded by intense bombardmen he enemy launched very heavy attacks against position between Baieu and Neuve Egise The delvere by three picked German divisions which had prev ousy engaged in the battle and it succeeded after bitter struggle carrying the high ground southeast and of Baileul known Mount de Lille and Revetsberg Gu troops this front have fallen back to positions north of Baleul and Wuverghem Baleul into enemys hands.
 "Tnis morning fresh German attacks are developing the neghborhood of Wytschaete
 Early today the enemy also attacked southwest of Vfeu