Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-04-13
SITUATION GRAVE
OFFICIALS ADMIT
British Dare Not Retreat
Further: Attack Is
Not Lcssening
WIDE FRONT EFFECTED
Germans Attempting TO
Wear Out Line by
Sheer Force

LONDON, April l2.--Ficld
Marshal Hsig's report from
headquarters in France to-
night says;
"Strong pressure has been
maintained by the enemy all
day south and southwest of
Bailleil. Constant attacks in
great force were made In this
area and are continuing.
Our troops have been
pushed back slowly in con-
tinuous fighting to positions
in the neighborhood of the
Bsilleil railroad, where they
are heavily engaged with the
enemy"
LONDON, April 12.--Great
Britain's armies stand at bay
in France and Flanders. After
three weeks Of a combat which
has eclipsed anything that
has ragged during the entire
four years of warfare, Field
Marshal Haig has issued a
command to his men TO hold
their ground at whatever cost
and fight with the knowledge
that their blows are struck
"for the safety Of their homes
and the freedom of mankind"
The end Of the first phase
of this giant struggle now
may be considered az passed.
There must be no retire
ment," Is Haig's admonition,
which adds that the British
now are fighting with their
backs to the wall" The with
drawal in Picardy was Off
cially reported to have been
a part of allied strategy, but
the period for such tactics
seemingly has gone into his
tory.
About to Strike Back.
The order issued by the
field marshal contains an
other sentence which may be
pregnant with significance.
"The French Amy is moving
rapidly and in great force to
our support" he said, and
this is the first official init
nation that the allies are
) ready to strike back at the
German invaders. This blow
may not necessarily fall In
Flanders. nor yet in Picardy,
but may be aimed at some
part Of the line where Cen
eralissimo Foch may believe
he can cut thru the German
front and compel the Teu-
tons to relax their pressure
against the British.
Line Strong.
The allies stand today on a
. front which has been dented
and battered but which is
very strong thruout.
TICiug this hhD from The south
10 s- found 10 lrI,r the old battle
front It p.aucourl west of lauu.
From this point 30 Iurs tu the west
sHeV Juth of tuury- chateau
and curves north until n reaches the
Oi.o river, which 10 follows until iJ
reaches q point south " Noyon,
Here tho line cfpssus over some high
hills and runs just north OF west 10
Ncanll. west of Montdidier whore IL
turns 10 M" north. This line B.
continued az f1r az taNel. where it
turns northeast 10 iIangArd, and
then bv crooked liuc thru Albert
.tp point east Of llebuterne. Here
the line runs Of Go the northeast
. 'hIu EucuIuy and iIoisicuN 70 Fam
= puuF east ~ Arras
A. this point n turns north to he
Nuud l.ors ana then turns sharply
tn tho north Sest past Bethune. cu-
tHriur che scene ~ the most bittrr
nlutlnE If continues us far MS Myr.
VILE. which marks the farthcst at
d. -auCe of tho Germans IN their pres
tIt offensive operation auud thsf
bends To- the unr'hrert to russchrn
v, da,lo. norh and east of lVres Here
= 10 curves to the northwest tu Merck
' "m and thence north over the !uV
IrHs og U"laiuu 'u N.ouport Co. I'M
p. .Hot
r The capture ~ MeyHle feature
20 tnD lrhNu. during Jhe last day. hH