Evening star., 1918-05-20
Amiens Would Be Menaced.

The reduction of the Arras salient
by mighty blow would carry the
Germans far toward Doulens, eight
cen miles north Of Amiens and about
fighting line. Capture of this valua-
BILE junction point would badly dis
rupt the allied communicating lines,
and such an operation would almost
inevitably carry Amiens also into
enemy possession.
Against such a stroke the allies
are reported to have forces heavily
massed and to be confidently await
ing the result of a possible attack in
this quarter.
the front at all points occupied by
American troops. except that the air
forces were active.
Heavier Artillery Action.
By the Associated Press.
LONDON. May 20.-The German ar
tillery developed increased activity
last night along the front between Al
bert and Bucquoy, the war ONCE an
nounces.
The statement follows:
I'VE captured few prisoners yes
terday as result of a successful raid
carried out in the Albert sector
"A raid attempted by the enemy
north of Hinges was repulsed with
heavy loss to the hostile raiding party,
THE hostile artillery activity in
creased considerably last night on the
Albert-BucQuoy front"
LONDON: May 1s.-The village Of
court. has been recaptured by the
British. the Australian troops making
4 successful raid during the night, in
which they took $50 prisoners and 20
machine guns. According to Field
Marshal Haig's report tonight, the
casualties on the British side in this
operation were light.
Increased Aerial Activity,
PARIS. May 2o.-Pronounced aerial
activity Is reported. On May II and Is
the French destroyed twelve airpianes
and forced down twenty-thr others
in a damaged condition. Four captive
balloons were destroyed. In addition
three German planes were downed by
artillery fire. one of them by Ameri-
cans.
French airplanes dropped $4,000
Kilograms tmore than forty eight tons)
of explosives on barracks and rail-
plosions and fires resulted. causing
great damage.
Await Offensive Spirit.
WITH THE FRENCH ARMY IN
mans apparently are awaiting the re-
turn of offensive spirit among some of
their best divisions, severely tried
during the first stages of the offensive.
before reponing operations.
Large numbers of their units lost a
considerable portion Of their effective
Tess in the heavy fighting in Picardy and
Flanders. and despite the fact that the
ranks have been filled Immediately from
depots IN the rear; strong impressions
passed are still retained by them. Most
Of these shattered division Z have en-
joyed only three or four weeks rest
Eince. which experience has demon
strated Is hardly sufficient time in which
to restore fighting qualities.
The German command knows this per.
= fectly well. and therefore is holding back
AZ long as possible before attacking &c
as to have more recuperated units avail
able to add to those which have not par
ticipated In the fighting up to this time
Probable German Objective.
It seems to be indicated clearly tha,
the objective Of the Germans when the,
do commence heavy fighting again viii
be desperate effort to divide the allied
armies by assaulting their lines Of com.
munication.
It seems probable. too, that they
may even extend the battle front fur
thor south and east toward the dis
trict lines between Layon and Rheims
where the front is well served by rail
roads which would enable them to at
tempt a surprise upon the allies by
making big demonstration there
I with the intention Of attracting Gen
CONTINUED on Second Page.)