The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-03-22
[EUT0NS big DRIVE COMES TO A HAL 7
[EN EDGED KNIVES AND BAY0NETS
USED IN HAND TO HAND FIGHTING

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This congestion is such that military
men say an offensive cannot succeed
while It exists.
| It Is too soon to determine whether
the German plans series of local at
tacks or hammering blow like that
| which failed at Verdun before the
! valor Of the French. The local attack
would permit of Italian or Macedonian
operations at the same time, 1t is held
here, for the Russian debacle has
freed large number Of Teuton sol
diers to reinforce the west front and
for use elsewhere.
The allied disposition Of forces ap-
parently was planned some time ago
for defense with the chance for quick
smashing counter actions. 1t Is
thought the blow directed against the
British contained partial elements of
surprise, but it is said confidently here
that the allies are ready and will
give more than they take.
Enemy 10 Held.
LONDON, March 22.-"We hold the
enemy in our battle positions" Field
,, Marshal Haig announced today.
Battle positions" are the defenses
directly behind the first line
trenches. Haig's statement would in
dica,e that the German penetration
has been limited.
Decisive Battle.
COPENHAGEN, March 22.-"We
have entered the decisive battle for
a general peace" is the declaration
of the Taglische Rundschau. Ger
man newspaper, copies OF which
were received today. This single
combat between Germany and Eng
land will decide our future position
in the war"
Nut Cracker Tactics.
LONDON, March 22.-British mill
tary officials are confident the big
German drive will be stopped, but
they sounded a note of warning to-
day that the worlds destiny may de-
pend upon the human wall against
which the enemy is hurting its shock
troops.
Correspondents at the front agree
that the enemy is trying Its nut
cracker strategy on the Cambria
salient from the fanks, seeking to
straighten its line and pinch off an
enormous number of the British men
and guns.
More Lively In Italy.
ROME, March 22-Fighting has
increased on the whole Italian front,
the war Office reported today.
Slaughter Trap for Germans.
Mo written FOR the
United Press.]
NEW YORK, March 22.-1f the
German forward movement west OF
Cambria is meant by Won Hindenburg
to be a major offensive, the Ger
man general staff has selected the
very area along the west front where
a break through the allies lines
would count least for Germany.
The district behind the British po
sitions was voluntarily abandoned by
Won Hindenburg exactly a year ago
because he did not consider it WORT
the large number of men its defense
required. The Germans at that time
moved back to the Hindenburg line,
part of which they lost to the British
last November. If Won Hindenburg
is now seriously determined to regain
the territory he surrendered without
blow last year, he has become the
severest critic Of his own strategy.
A purpose such as this. would suS-
gest that Won Hindenburg has become
fatally erratic in his judgments. |
There is no major objective in the
line of the present German move |
ment. The direction taken Is not
toward Paris and it is quite outside |
the region of direct road to Calais. |
The Germans have defensive pur
poses to serve, however, by their at /!
tempted advance. Won Hindenburs |
may we'll believe that the capture Of |
Cambria will be attempted by the |
British when they begin their own |
major offensive this year. Cambrai's !,
fall would seriously menace an i'm !
portant part Of the German lines of
II the British went |
a comparatively small distance be- |
yond Cambria they might even COM |
pei a large German retreat.
The British retain strong positions !
for a Cambria offensive as the re- |
ult Of their tank victory last Novem- |
Der. 1t is very probable, therefore, |
that Won Hindenburg wants to regain |
these positions because he fears their !
menace to Cambria Cambrai's jeop- |
ardy would be sufficient reason for |
a German advance in force. But, |
such an advance would have no OBJ
iective beyond defensive one. III
hat were attained, the advance
would stop before determined enemy
resistance.
While thus taking the initiative 10
defend Cambria, Won Hindenburg
might well desire for sentimental
reasons and reasons of morale, to
win back at the same time the lost
part of the Won Hindenburg line This
inc lies but short distance west of t
he Cambrai front. It's recovery BY
he Germans would add very much to
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