The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-04-22
MIGHTY GERMAN
 EFFORTS FORCE BRITISH RETIRE
Germans Capture Important Positions Along Messines--Bri Probably Forced to Make Strong
 Counter Attack Now
Associated Press)

Associated Press)
 ASSOCIATED PRESS SUMMARY, April 16-After days of heavy fighting during which thousands of Germans killed and more thousands were wounded, the Huns mighty efforts have the important strategic towns ot Baileu Wulverghem and Whytschaee What is still more important, they have carried larger part of the Messnes Ridge.
 From all indications the Germans making any attempts advance the wedge further into the British lines They devotng their whole attention the work of wd enng the salient and striking Messnes Ridge and the rail road running six miles north of Baile leading into the important Hazebrouck
 Messines Ridge is the key the Ypres Its pos session gives the Germans commanding position for the starting of entirely drive from superior position So important the German captures that the British forces must be expected counter attack at and with all the force their command This movement must be made gardess of losses and the Messnes Ridge positions taken and held if it be at all possible.
 BATTLES RACING FIERCELY
 LONDON, April 16.-Genera Haig reports severe fighting in progress the front from Meteren Why schaete with the enemy massng divisions for continual ton of the terrific struggle which has ragged throughout the day He reports: At dawn the enemy renewed his attacks n the ghborood of Whtschaete and SpanbrooeIunolen Supported by heavy bobardnen the Germans approached the British positions under of dense mist and after prolonged struggle gained possession of both localities
 At Meteren the enemy succeeded in securing footing where intense fighting is still in progress tonight with the British subbony resisting the enemy efforts to advance Elsewhere along this front the Germans heavily re- pulsed
  attacks upon positions opposite Boyee south of Arra The fighting here has been all day and continues to- night This may later develop into extended effort to widen the salient driven in the allied lines between rrae and La Fere.
 IMPORTANT TOWNS FALL
 LONDON, April 1o-The Reuters correspondent al the British front in northern France tonight reports tha the Germans by using greatly superior forces, have ceeded Tn capturing tschaete and the greater part of the Messines Ridge positions The enemy has also succeed ed in establishing himself in Spanbrooekmolen
 Although driven from strong positions, the British are still fighting desperately and endeavoring to hold the Ger man tide back On the slopes of the Messnes Ridge in tense fighting in progress with the British battling des peratey to repe attacks by overwhelming German forces
 The loss of these positions is admitted be serious The British forces had been in possession of Whychaete since the early days of the and has been the rock upon which many German assaults have been broken
 BA1LLEUL CAPTURED
 LONDON, April 1o.-Oicial-The Germans late last night captured the important of Baieul and Wuver ghem where fighting has been in progress since Saturday. Fighting ot the intense has been raging around these positions all week
 Fresh German attacks developing Whytschaee where enormous enemy forces are massed This is of great strategcal importance the British heavy Ger man attack southwest of Vex Berqun has been repused
 LOSS NOT UNEXPECTED
 WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN FLANDERS, Apr l6-The loss of Baeu has been expected for several days since it's sraegca value such that would compen for the lives would have have retained it for longer time It held long possible without ser losses but its evacuation forecast by the heavy massng of troops determined to take any It apparent that the Germans trying reach the important railway center of Hazebrouck Six miles north of Bailleu road leading into Hazebrouck which is southwest of Ypres and about eighteen miles almost due of Armentieres.
 PAYING HEAVY PRICE
 WASHINGTON, D. C. April 16.-The heavy prices that the Germans paying for the advance which they are making on the western front told in dispatches ceived today by the state department These state that twenty-five trains loaded capacity with wounded Germans passing through Ax La Chapele every night
 POSITIONS ADVANTAGEOUS