The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-18
INTENSE BATTLE

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wave of attackers against the Franco
British defense. but did not falter
and the Germans gained nothing in
payment for sanguinary losses
Sentimental Regrets.
Altho the retirement east of Ypres
was to be expected for strategical rea-
sons, the fact that it has been carried
Langemarck, Passchendaele and Peel
capellc. which Berlin reports the Ger
mans have occupied, were scenes of
desperate encounters in the hard won
British advance of last summer and
fall when they gained tbs entire Mes
nes-Passch endaele ridge.
Correspondents report the British
are retiring to prepared positions
along or close to the line from which
the offensive was launched in 1917.
This would place the new line proba-
bly, near Boesinghe, Wiettje. HODGE
and Hill so. southeast of zillebeke
and about two miles east of Ypres.
Berlin's official communication at
tempts to make it appear that the
Germans gained towns on the old
Flanders battlefield after fighting.
No New Ground to Huns.
Wednesday the Germans gained no
new ground from east of Merville to
Wytschaete but were compelled to use
large forces in recapturing Wytschaete
and Meteren. The German pressure
east of Hazebrouck shows the enemy
still desires the capture of this base
in the probable hope of forcing a
further retirement in the Ypres re-
gion.
How large the French forces are
that have come to help the British has
not been disclosed. Field Marshal
Haig said last week that heavy French
the battlefield.
On the remainder of the British
front and on the Picardy battle front
and French sectors. there has been no
infantry activity Belgian troops north
of Ypres have repulsed German at
tacks and captured 500 prisoners in
ejecting the enemy from trenches he
had occupied.
On the Lorraine sector American
troops have penetrated to the third
German line and are in unmolested
possession of No Mans Land.
Another Bombardment. Opens.
The Germans opened a heavy bonn
bardment of the British positions on
the southwestern part of the Lys bat
the front between LOGON and Robecq
during the night, the bombardment
was still in progress at dawn today.
Southeast of KENNEL Iii on the
northern battle front the Germans
pressed back the British line SLIGHTLY
but the situation was restored by a
counter attack the war office an
nounces.
During the night there was no
change in the British front.
In the Bailleul sector the Germans
made three attacks before noon yes
terday, and in each case suffered a
complete repulse.
British Forces Inferior.
London, April 1S.-Newspapers to-
day are discussing the situation with
the greatest freedom. The war cabi-
net is being criticised sharply by
some military experts and editors.
Colone! Repington in the Morning
Post says the British forces are
greatly inferior in number to the
Germans and says this inferiority is
to acI on the advice of the general
staff and the French staff for an in
crease in manpower given months
ago
Several newspapers are calling for
the return OF Sir William Robertson.
former chief of the imperial general
staff The retirement of General
past week by that of General TRENCH
ard chief of the air staff General
TrenchaFd was appointed only three
months ago and was regarded gen.
orally as the one man for the work.
He now goes because of differences
with Lord Rothermere, the civilian
head of the air establishment. as
have gone after differences with the
premier.
Bring back Robertson" is the ap-
peal with which the weekly paper
John Bull, having great circulation
among the masses. has placarded the
country today. 1t would be no sur
prise if that became general demand