The sun., 1918-04-27
BRITISH LINEIN
GRAVE DANGER
If Mont KENNEL Cannot BE
Rctaken Further Retreat -....
Is Probable.
SDeria1 Despafrh TO THE STU.

WASH NGroN, April 2S-With the cap
ture of Mont KENNEL by the Germans
the military situation has taken a de-
cided turn for the worse IN the opinion
OF army experts here. who have been
closely following each succeeding phase
OF the fighting. The menacing plan of
the Germans to gain control OF the chain
OF hills dominating the Ypres sector Is
admittedly brought perilously near fulfil
ment by the tactical success at Mont Kem-
mel, and II the Ypres sector becomes un-
tenablc general withdrawal Of the
British line running nor,hward TO the
coast is regarded as next TO certain.
Military men here point out that this
withdrawal might become necessary TO
obviate the risk OF the British armies
being cut off by overwhelming Gerlnan
forces and driven northwestward to the
coast. where they might have no alter
native but 10 face the enemy in greatly
superior numbers without hope of sup
port from the French. Such move
ment based on the German plan OF roll
ing UP the British armies would be so
serious. Il is explained, that abandon
ment Of territory. even Channel ports.
might be accepted as the lesser of two
evils
The importance Of Mont KENNEL is
obviously realized by Gen. Ecea, and
latest reports show that the French and
British have lost no time In s;rilIng
back Nallantiy for its possession The
battle Is now Seeth.NG. and the most vel
come news that could reach here within
the next for,y-cight hours would he the
Announcement that the Germans had been
nrlF'h from the vantage point on this
terrain.
II Is understood in army circles here
that the German assault winch gave
them control OF the crest Of Mont KEN
mel involved driving the F!cuch AID
British back for a distance Of scarcely
more than mile over front of less
than mile The particular terrall
which the Germans have sought TO WI
at whatever sacrifice gives the troops
possessing 1t the advantage Of being or
high ground overlooking the country to-
! ward the Ypres sector,
In this sense Mont kemme. is the
key TO the positions on the sector which
includes Ypres Mont Rouge Ia on hlgh
/
and British, but II is of secondary I'M
portance as compared to Mont KEN
mel.
1t Is noted here that the British War
Ofhce makes 40 attempt to minimize the
tactical advantage which will accrue to
the Germans II they maintain their posi-
tion on Mont KENNEL The British as.
ser, they may he able to hold on the
Ypres sector even with the Germans on
Mont KENNEL, but this view is not gen
orally shared here,
Army men were encouraged tonight
however. by reports that English and
Australian troops had recaptured VII
lers- Bretonneux, situated on the higf
plateau which overlooks the terrain
where the fighting near Amiens now
RACES. The advantage to the Germans
OF maintaining their tactical gain hert
| is generally recognized and the success
OF the British counter attack is viewed
! as eliminating serious factor which
otherwise would have been very embar
RAISING TO the Allies defensive plans.
/ II the Allies were able to dlslodge thu
Germans from this important vantage
point Will they not be able to retak.
Mont KENNEL? This was the question
! asked here in military circles to-niGh
as the reports Of the brilliant counter
attack at Villers-Brstonneux came in.