Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-04-12
Brilliant Defense of British
On Northern Sector Tell
ing on Attackers.
HEAVY FORCES
ARE MOVED DOWN
Bitter Fighting Still in Progress AItho
Huns Have Been Slowed Up Mate
rially-lmportant Strategic Object
9 ives Still Held and Stoutly Defended
by Haig's Army = Bicycle Corps
Saves Portuguese Army From Rout.

HaNn9 puShed the 6rltiSn posi-
tions on point twenty-five miles
north and south of Armentieres
to an average Of little more than
two miles, the Germans are strug-
Cling desperately to increase their
gains.
The brilliant defense Of Field
Marshal Haie's men, however is
beginning to tell and the enemy's
attaeks~are slowing up materially.
Messines ridge and Wytschaete
are the vital points on the battle
field and the Germans in two
days have not been able to reach
the crest Of the, hills. Repulsed on
the hills from tho tip to Wyt-
chaete tho enemy has thrown
heavy forces against HoIIebeke,
whore the ridge declines and the
+ Ypres -Menin railroad and the
Ypres Confines canal cut thru.
At Hollebeke and Wytschaete
however, the British Ninth divi-
sion has repuIsed the ehemy with
heavy loss. On the southern ap-
proaeh TO the ridge about Ploeg-
stsert the Germans have made
ANAL oairs.
" abandoning Armentieres the
1riSisE have straightened out
their line. Evidently the Germans
have not yet occupisd the town.
The British Withdrew Wednesday
afternoon, their position having
become untenable.
West Of Armentieres the Ger
mans have pushed back the Brit
ish several hundred yards north
Of Stenwerek.
With the British hanging erimly
TO the great bulk Of >Messines
ridge, their buIwark in Flanders,
the Germans to the south are
pushing their wedge deeper into
the British lines north and north
east Of Bethune, one Of the Brit
ish advanced bases.
The point of>the wedge was
driven last night along the Lys
canal to MereviIle, two miles west
Of Lestrem, which the British held
up to yesterday. The salient was
extended also slightly to the norts, \
near. its tip, to vicinity of Neuf,
berquin, two miles northwest OF
Estaires, another point whore the
British have been making stand.
The Germans today were con-
4inuins what appeared to be their
heaviest pressure in this region
and had made some progress.
The southern end Of the salient,
"a .,oe ean&hoact arH
Givenchy, is being strongly held by
the British. They were standing
firm today at Loisne, three miles
northeast Of Bethune. and along
the lines northwest to the Mere
Vile region. Farther southeast,
likewise, they repeIled German
attempt to advance northwest of
Givenehy, on the high ground
which protects the British right
flank before Bethune.
The British task here patiently
is to prevent the sides Of this
salient from being materially wild
ened out, as the tip can not be
pushed in much farther without
great danger. to the attacking
forces from flank attack unless
they succeed in broadening their
advanced front.
4 Northwest Of Armentieres the
limo was straightened out by the
withdrawal Of the British to the
vicinity Of Neuve EgIise, close to
the, southerIy edge Of Messines
ridge, which protects their new
positions.
The British lines apparently are
being maintained along the hiuh
around, near Messines and to the
north toward Ypres. No material
change in tho situation is reported
here.
on the Picardy battle field there ,
has been no change. The British
front is quiet and the French have
repuIsed two German attacks :
near Noyon.
1 American marines have landed
In Vladivostok with the British
and Japanese and their presence
q expected to have reassuring
effect on Russian feelings Petro-
urad 10 said TO view the situation
more calmly.
\ London. April 12.-Attacking yes
erday il the neighborhood of Ploeg
teert the Germans pressed back th'
British to near Neuve Eglise, it is an,
officially.
Last night the Germans capturet
dereville. Heavy fighting is continu
ng IN the neighborhood of Merevill'
md Neufbarauin.
On the remainder of. the northern
,attle front there is little change
Worth of Festubert the British re.