The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1918-04-15
BATTLE REACHES
THE TURNING POINT,
SAYS WASHINGTON
War Department Asserts That
Germans Have Failed in
Their Purpose.

WASHINGTON, April 15.--Turnlng
point in the battle on the west front
is being reached, says the War De-
partments review Of the military
situation for the week ending April
10, published to-day. The Germans
have falled in their purpose TO achieve
victory in tho field.
I'VE must bear In mind" the re-
view says. "thnt the enemy Is waging
a battle with the cole aim OF an
initiating the British armies. Thus,
Terrain conquered counts for little.
while It must bo admitted that
German operations since the begin
ming OF the present offensive have
resulted in more than n mere plough
ing up OF part OF the allied trench
system and the capture Of local OBJ
jectives along wide front nevertbe-
less the aim OF the German higher
command to obtain a decisive IRA
tegic success by these assaults has
not been attained.
"The turning point in the west Is
being reached. The Germans have
scored a distinct advantage which
II would be unwise 10 endea-
vor TO belittle. Yet they have failed
In their great purpose to achieve
victory In the field and will soon be
forced 70 resume their old tactics.
seeking 10 gain limited objectlves.
striking first at ono point, then at
another in order to render the Allied
position untenable and give them
selves greater security.
In the offensive In Plcardy the
Germans sought for n rift in the line
where the French and British forces
definite far-reaching results from
this operation they promptly return
to the assault OF elsewhere and
plunge forward hoping that by drlv-
| ing n wedge into the sector along the
| front held by Portuguese and British
units they may be able to roll the
British towards the sea and effect
break through.
This Is the operation attempted
this week In the region of the famous
battle-ground OF the early days OF
the war IN front OF Lille.
Here on a frontage OF 5000 yards
stretching from Armentleres to the
La Bassee Canal. the segment held
by the Portuguese troops flanked on
either side by British divisions. was
penetrated after an intense bonn.
bardment.
"Tho hostile attack was favored By
a thick mist and in spite Of the fact
that the British fought tenacIously
they were compelled to give grounS
after the Portuguese positions haC
been broken through and have sine,
retired, abandoning Armentieres an,
other points.
IN the sector where our owJ
forces are lighting considerable ac
tivity prevailed. After protected ar
tllery preparation the Germans
launched an attack against ou
positions northwest OF Toul. ou
artillery was able to disperse IN,
assaulting columns and checked III
/ attack before our lines were reached
! Our own Infantry counter-attack cke,
! and drove OF the remnants OF IN
h enemy units, A number OF prison
ers were taken. Our casualties wer
relatively slight
r "The enemy also executed a mlno
J, raid against one OF our outposts Il
the Woevre. Hostile artillery ha
? been active throughout the week bot
}, IN the Woevre and along our position
Q In the Meuse hills and in the VosEe,
Il "Our counter battery work wa
j. very efficient and We replied vigor
ously TO the hostile shelling."