Republican farmer., 1918-08-09
(By The Associated Press)

British and French troops attacked this morning from AL bert northeast of Amens Montdder the Avre southeast of Amiens the of attack being approximately 28 miles
 Meagre reports from the field indicates that the Allies have advanced to depth of about two miles south of the Somme and probably have taken the villages of Marcecave and LaMoe- en -Senterre.
 It reported from Washington that it not believed American forces engaged in the present fighting Ameri holding the line at Canigny time ago, but withdrawn and sent to the AsneMarne salient where they participate in the recent victory the Germans
 This attack launched just three weeks after Field Marshal Foch master counter offensive against the western side the Soissons salient has been expected since the Germans driven back the Aisne and the Vese not believed the Allied commanders would permit the initiative pass the enemy after the stunning defeat administered to him along the Marne Foch is known to be offensive fighter and has been predicted that new blow would fall on the before they had time reorganze their shate ed divisions behind the Vesle and the Aisne.
 The Germans to have had knowledge of the plans of the Allied chief for during the ten days they have carried out three local reremen in the northern sectors of their ne-wo of these withdrawals being the Pcardy salient each side of Albert along the Ancre and the other along the Avre river north o Montdder In each the retired to positions before which form partial protection.
 The fighting in Picardy recall the great offensives carried out there by the British and French in 916 and the German srateg retreat the Hndenbug line February March 9l7 The British had forced their way during the fall ward from Albert to the neghbohood of Grand Court west of Bapaume and the French before Noyan almost directly to the south the early months of 91 the dis covered that the Allies had massed guns materials for offensive They then retreaed to the Cambrai Fere ne which they occupied until March 2 1918 and from which they launched their first great offensive of the present
 The field which the British fighting today fa- mar ground to them but the south the French force the back from territory newly occupied during the March offensive Six miles to the eastward they will the old battle ground of Picardy
 When the Germans withdrew February March 197 they destroyed every house and building the cut down every tree and in the words of military critic prepared the ground for future operations It this battlefield that the again the lies successful in their present attack.
 Viewed the map, the front which the attack is being made chosen because of it's strategic relation to the German positions to the north and south.
 If the assault is successful the Germans to the north must drop back the ground they cost lives in March To the south their positions southeast of Montdider taken by them the terrible early in June when they foied in their effort Compegne will be in jeopardy >..
 Indirectly allied victory from Mondidier northvard would weaken the line along the Asne which the Germans able to retire after their defeat north of the Marne