Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-03-25
Americans Aid In Defense By Heavy ArtiI-
lery Assault On Germans On The Toul
Line--Amercan Officers Declare
That Situation Is Still Critical
(By international News Service.)

(By international News Seryce)
With the American Army in France, March rs 60
m)-American batteries the Toul front subjected
the advanced positions of the Germans to intense and
destructive fire at intervals during the night. There
infantry action. German batteries replied with
gas shells and high explosives, specializing in counter
battery work At daybreak American observers in
French aerOpanes penetrated the enemy lines pho
f0graphing the German positions that had been bonn
harded.
PRESENT SITUATION is CRITICAL,
DECLARE AMERICAN ARMY OFFICERS
With the American Army in France, March Is
American army officers declared today that the present
situation the western front is the most critical
fronting the allies since the battle of the Marine They
do not except Verun These officers pointed out the
necessity for plain speaking now, that the people at
home can realize every effort necessary on their part
in order that the foe may be beaten. .
The German announcement of the capture of Peronne
and Ham received by the Americans yesterday aft
Coupled with the announcement that the esc-
my again bombardng Paris, it felt that the kai
making his effort to end the conflict be-
fore the United States could actually get huge force
into the field
American officers pointed out that the Germans
ready to sacrifice enormous numbers of troops IN order
ed is trying to batter down the morale of the populace in
The of the British line with his air raids and long
range bOmbardment at the time that he is trying
TO break through the front.
AMERICAN NAVY MAY PLAY PART -
IN THE FINAL DESPERATE BATTLE
Washington, March 25-Whether the navy will play
any part in the situation resulting from the German Of
fensve now in progress on the west front was topic
of general discussion military and naval circles today
The majority of officials believe that it will They be-
eve that the German high fleet is about ready TO-
try dash to the open sea- To attain that end 1t VIII
be necessary outwit check the British grand fleet
Whether this is possible is something which naval men
here will not discuss However, should the German feel
Get to sea- it will find the American navy prepared to de-
fend the American coast Secretary Daniels has made
it plain that the fleet is ready for action The dspOSi
lions which have been made believed to be sufficient
to meet any emergency which may arise
1t is fully realized here that the German navy is
sidered in the light of division Of the German army 1t
will be brought into play when certain strategic Sta7
ion is reached American and British naval experts
know this They believe that they have figured out
when this point will develop and when it does there will
be naval battle possibly series of them; which VIII
make history Reports that certain German vessels have
been armed with mysterious new guns which viii out
range anything that CT be brought against them have
been current in naval circles but have caused serious
alarm here Everything is possible in war; it is pointed
out but the weight of metal that can be mounted
warship limited officials say by the buoyancy Of such
craft. "A.