The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-04-08
Germans Sacrifice Flower of Armies in Desperate, Vain Efforts to Break Through Lines and Cut Off
 Communicating System
Associated Press)

ASSOOlAlED PRESS SOMMAR4.-Nhat prop ably the sangunay battle of the present offensive progress It has for its object driving wedge be- the British and French armies but far it has with success for the Germans
 While of the front the allies have stood firmly it is admitted that the Germans have taken Castel which is within three miles of the ParsAmiens railroad of the main lines of communication between the French capital and the British supply point West ot Caste the French holding strong positions from which they have broken up and thrown back several heavy enemy assaults
 It probable that the allies prepared to give battle the invaders for the first time since the ncep tion of the present On fixed line which ap proxnatey twelve miles of Aiens they have turned upon the enemy and standing bay against the nvad It is not believed that the enemy will be able pass this line.
 While there has been reference made to the arrival of any American forces the battlefield it probable that American army of some proportions is either actually engaged in the struggle being held in awaiting the to launch vital attack upon the lines of the enemy. It is doubted that the Americans have arrived the plains of Picardy
 FIGHTING NEAR ALBERT
 WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN FRANCE, April 5Extremey hard fighting is in progress both north and south of Albert where the enemy has massed large forces As result of heavy German attacks launched along a 9OOO-yard front between Aveuy and Dernancourt the northern wing of the saient the Germans have ceeded in gaining oohod in small triangular bit of ritory the southwest of Albert This brings them the Abert-Aniens railway which they trying reach off communication with Aniens from the north
 The fighting in this section today the Ger heavily in and material Thousands of Germans slaughtered by the direct fire of the British guns which had the range perfectly and swept great stretches which the opposing infantry forced to advance Fresh of German infantry being broug up tonight to continue the attack here
 REFUSE ANOTHER ATTACK
 LONDON, April 5.-Ofdcal-Genera Haig wires to- night that strong German attacks which launched this afternoon between the Somme river and the vicinity of Bucquoy held off and repused with heavy losses the invaders Virtually gained by the in vaders.
 FRENCH IMPROVE POSITIONS
 ADr1 - +l,a;r pulses last night during which they lost thousands of killed and wounded the Germans today failed to renew their attacks north of Montdder but contented themselves with heavy artileryng
 The French immediately launched vigorous counter at tacks which resulted in the improvement of French posi- tons at several points, notably in the regions of Mally Ramevar and Cantgny The outskirts of the latter place were wrested from the enemy and in French hands
 9OOOO PRISONERS TAKEN
 BERLIN April 5.-Ohhcal-More than 9OOOO pris- oners and 1900 guns have been captured thus far during ment made tonight by the office The statement also declares that the German assaults both sides of Moreu have been successful and that large numbers of British and French reserves were defeated in todays fighting
 NOON SUMMARY
 DATELESS TO ASSOCIATED PRESS MEMBERS With doggd persistence the French forces have held fast to their lines and blocked all efforts of the Germans to reac the Cermon Amiens railway Below Amiens the Germans defeated with heavy losses in what probably const ted their desperate effort yet to break in and cut the Amiens communication from the south The British the Qe1enSe Of AmenS from the east The battle has ragged with unceasng violence since early yesterday, continuing throughout the night
 Today the Germans switched their efforts to north of the Somme launching attack along seventeen-mile front They have been unable advance except at one point the river Somme As whole is considered that the allied line has held its entirety.
 ENEMY SWITCHES ATTACK
 LONDON, April 5.-The Germans today attacked the British lines on wide front from Dernancourt says the Evening Standard The chief points in the new attack Dernancourt Menn, Beaumont, Hamel and Moyonnevlle
 Heavy bodies of fresh forces launched against these points with terrific driving forces The shock of the accompanying artillery firing terrific The enemy repulsed everywhere with heavy losses except Dernan court, where they were able to make slight gains