Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1918-05-09
CANADIANS WIN
On ARRRI|AS FRONT
Take Prisoners in Raid Near Neu-
viIle-VitasSe.
GERMAN LINES ARE SHELLED
Allied Artillery Sweeps Troop Assem-
blage Points as Huns Prepare for
New BIow-French Take
CaptiVes.

London, May S-The British made
a successful raid near Neuville-NitaSse,
southeast of Arras, the war office re-
ports. Three machine guns were cap
tured. The statement follows:
I'VE carried out a successful raid
at night in the neighborhood of Neu-
vflle-Nitasse {on the front recently
taken over by the Canadians) and
captured 4 few prisoners and three
machine guns, with slight casualties
to our troops. A raid attempted by
the enemy near Boyeles was repulsed.
There is nothing further to report"
German lines of communication and
troop assemblage points are being
ceaselessly swept by French and Brit
ish heavy guns, both in Flanders and
in Picardy
While Won Hindenburg is preparing,
from all indications, renewal of his
mighty onslaught, his preliminary op-
eratiOns are being carried out under
difficulties.
This is indicated by both the French
and British reports, both OF which tell
of artillery exchanges, nearly all along
the battle line in northern France. At
some points this big gun dueling, dis
patches say, reaches the proportions
of pitched general engagement.
Reciprocal raiding activity in the Ar
ras region is looked on with interest
here as showing both sides on their
toes at this point. Both the Cana
dians in their sOrtie near St Vitassee
and the Germans at Boyelles probably
were seeking to feel out their Oppo-
nentS strength and local dispositions.
Some observers here consequently be-
lieve that the enemy's next blow may
be delivered against the Canadians at
Arras and northward along the Yimy
ridge.
Believe Blow at Hand.
There is a feeling here that re-
sealssg of the greaf oat - only
hours off, and might have come sooner
had not spring rains made transport
and artillery and troop movement most
difficult. This is forecast by the Gus
tomary signs in German press reports.
In this connection the following dis
patch from Amsterdam is cited:
THE German press declares the re-
sumption of the west frent offensive
will be aided by a huge offensive on
the italian front, it was learned here
"The combined effort will thus
bring the lOnged-for German success
the German newspapers say"
Furious Cannon DueIs.
With the British Army in France,
May 8.-The artillerymen continue to
carry the weight of the conflict on
their shoulders and had a busy time of
it at numerous points along the battle
front.
There was no infantry action in this
period, but from the furious gun duels
Waged south of Arras during the early
part Of the night one might easily have
drawn the conclusion that a grand at
tack was in progress.
The Germans kept up a considerable
bOmbardment of the back areas in
Flanders with high-velOcity guns. The
allies, on the OtheE hand, were busy
hammering the enemy's roads and con
centratiOn points.
1t rained again, making the Flanders
battle-ground still more difficult for the
enemy to work over in carrying out
preparations for a further attack.
French Fight on Avre.
Paris, May 8.-Active artillery fight
dng occurred at night on both sides of
'the Avre on the front southeast Of
iAmiens, the war office announces. The
statement follows:
"The artillery on both sides was
active north and south Of the Avre.
a German raid against a small French
post near Hangard was repulsed. In
the same region we carried out To-
cal operation and brought back pris-
Oners.
There is nothing to report else
where on the front"
Berlin Admits Loss.
Berlin, May 8.-AustraIian cOntin-
gents in a night attack between the
Ancre and the SOmme succeeded in
reaching the foremost German lines
south of the COrbie-Bray road, the war
office admitted in its official statement.
Otherwise the report asserts, the at
tack ''brOke down before our posts
with heavy losses" On the north
bank of the Lys English advances
failed, it is stated. A German raid
across lhe Aisne canal also is re-
ported.