The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-03-25
GERMANS FORCED
TOMAKE SUPREME
ATTEMPT. OF WAR

The German offensive. says the
War Departments weekly eommu-
nique issued yesterday, proves that
the German milftarists, no longer
able to control the German people
by political maneuyer. have been
forced to attempt a gigantic feat OF
arms TO maintain their domination.
While the great attack has been
able to make headway, no definite
envelopinE movement has been out
lined. the communicate says, and IL
would be premature to express opin-
ions on the tactical phases with q
combat situation inevitably changing
in a battle OF such magnitude.
The assault launched by the Ger
mans against the British front has
reopened the fighting season in the
west" says the communique.
Forced To start Drive.
This operation confirms to us that
the German higher command, unable
to control the strategic situation
through political agencies, as has
been increasingly attempted during
the past four months has been forced
to engage in a desperte military ven
ture in an effort to retain It's domi-
nation over the peoples OF the CEN
trail empires and. II possible. force a
victorious peace by the fortune OF
arms.
The German attack began with q
brief but overwhelming artillery bonn
bardment with high explosive and
gas shells. at dawn on March 81, IN
the rolling country north of the Disc,
ninety-four miles northeast OF Paris.
From Crolsilles, south to Ven
deuiI, a distance OF forty-seven miles,
the Germans concentrated this pre-
IIminary barrage in which a number
OF Austrian batteries participated.
Attack Is Launched.
AT the same time hostile artillery
was active in the Ypres-La Bassee
region.
THE German infantry divisions
thereupon advanced to the attack
along the TANKS OF the salient in
front of Cambria. Furious fighting
continues on tho northeastern flank
between Croisilles. Bullecourt and
Lagnicourt on the southern, along
the line GouZeaucourt-H argicourt-Le
Verguier, and extending across the
Crozat canal to beyond La Fere.
"The British forces are heavily en-
gagged. While the Germans have been
able to make Roadway, no definite en-
veIoping movement Is as yet outlined.
cit would be premature to express
an opinion regarding the tactical
phases OF the operations now taking
place. We must expect further
changes IN the combat situation.
which are inevitable in battle OF
such magnitude.
enemy casualties have been ex-
.ceedingly heavy.
Hattie Front May He Extended.
ARTILLERY duels are reported In Ar
tots and Flanders. and tho extension
of the battle front is possible.
"PrIor to the German attack, great
activity prevailed along the entire
british front. Tho British troops
were successful in a number OF raids.
strongly driven into the enemy lines.
proving their n4ertness and initla-
tive.
"Our own forces in training In Lor-
rains arc still holding on to the
trenches northeast of Badonviller.
which were captured last week. In
this region our artillery Is continuing
to batter the German lines and num-
Der OF scouting parties, which have
penetrated the German positions, re-
port that enemy works have been con-
siderably damaged.
"In our sector north OF TouL our
artillery has successfully bombarded
enemy works and billets behind their
lines. During a raid one OF our pa
trolls reached the German second line
and returned without suffering any
casualties. In this area the enemy
made thrust against the French
forces On our flank. Our own forces
became engaged. The Germans were
driven of.
SamRIes RepulSe Raid.
- hostile raid was also attempted
against our forces at another point.
This operation was preceded by a
stFenE barraEa- Our infantry. we'll