The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-03-25
BRITISH LIE
BENDS BUT HOLDS
Germans Take PerOnne and
Boast Of Victory.
AMERICANS IN BIG BATTLE
v. S. Troops Join Allies as Teuton
Hosts Strive to Break Through-At-
tackers Have Crossed the Somme.

London, March 25-Intense fighting
throughout yesterday. the fourth day
Of the second battle OF the Somme,
brought little material change, the
British announced.
German attacks were pushed with
great strength. Berlin announced
the capture of Peronne and Ham,
and the crossing of the SOmme river
between these points. London re-
ported that these troops were being
dealt with.
American troops, together with the
French and English reinforcements,
were thrown into the battle at Chau
ny, but Berlin said they were repuls-
ed.
The number of prisoners claimed
by Germany increased to 10000, and
the guns captured to 500. The kaiser
telegraphed to the empress: The
battle has been won. The Lord has
gloriously aided"
Fresh hostile attacks developed in
great strength on the whole battle
'front.'" says Field Marshal Haig's re-
port from headquarters, land they
have continued throughout the day.
South of Peronne the enemy succeed
ed after heavy fighting in crossing the
river Somme at certain points. These
are being dealt with"
Copies of the German plan of often
sive from prisoners, according to
Reuters correspondent at British
headquarters, show the enemy's OBJ
jeCtiyes were as follows:
First day average penetration
along the whole front of attack, eight
kilometers second day, twelve kilo-
meters, and on the third day, beyond
which the scheme does not appear to
be carried, twenty kilometers.
The success attained thus far falls
much short of these detectives, the
despatch states.
The correspondent reports that
among the captured machine guns are
some that were identified as having
been used in the Balkans last year.
All the roads in the rear of the
German advance, the despatch con-
tinues, are blocked by columns of
troops, guns and transport vehicles,
furnishing targets upon which the
British artillery is making deadly
play. Rough estimates of the casu-
alties inflicted vary between 80 and
80 per cent of all the enemy divis-
ions identified
q give these figures for what they
are WORTH" the correspondent adds.
They are probably based mainly
upon statements made by prisoners"
The Canadian war correspondents
despatch from the Franco-Belgian
front says that while the English
were battling with the GcSmans fur
ther south, the Canadians ION Friday
night launched the greatest gas bonn
bardment in the worlds history be-
tween Lens and Hill 70.
1t is now believed in London that
Hindenburg's objective is the chan
mel ports. but he purposes to take
the first step toward them by break
ing through the allies line near the
junction of the French and British
armies.
The attack thus far has shown no
new strategy. but appears to be sim
ply a colossal blow with masses of
guns and men hitherto never used to-
gether on any battlefield. There is no
surprise that the British line has been
forced back. Lines of defense have
bent before all great offensives in this
war. What the British people look to
the army for is that it shall not break.
With usual caution, the German Of
fetal reports of the first days fight
ing did not reveal to their own people
the extent of Importance of their eff
fort. Only when a partial success had
been recorded was Emperor William
designated as commander-in- chief
and the crown prince mentioned