The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-08

lent administration, reJOlneQ oAef
man.
GUNS PULVERIZE
| HUNS ATTEMPTS
| CONTINUED from page ID
humanity serving in some capacity in
| the ranks.
Jockeying continues on the battle
front.
Wherever the Germans occupy low
ground they make local attacks to win
the ridges and other advantageous
"kick-off" positions. Such was the
motive for the Arras-Vimy drive and
the drive for Bucquoy, where they
wanted the high ground around Buc-
ouop. Hebuterne and Auchonvillers.
The enemy is striving for the hills
west of the Ancre valley back OF Al
bert and among the rivers convergfng
on Amiens. The lighting hereabouts
and to the southwark is ION the
cards"
In all this the cavalry, who have
been waiting two years. had their
longed-for chance with their sabres,
galloping down upon advancing imam
try, cutting up pan-c-stricken columns
/ and holding bridgeheads. Further
chances for the horsemen probably
are coming.
| The anniversary of Americas en-
trance into the war was toasted
throughout the British army with gen.
erous speeches commenting the ma
iterial and historical importance of
the event.
| Berlin Claims Advance.
LONDON, April S.-Shifung their
main attack from regions OF Mont
didier and Albert, the Germans have
advanced a maximum Of four miles on
a five mile front at the extreme south
ern flank OF their offensive front.
according to yesterdays statement OF
the Berlin war office.
The German night communiaue
said a continuation of this attack had
brought fresh successes" and that
| Pierremande and Folenbray had been
captured. Pierremande is three miles
south and east of Chauny, on the
| southern bank OF the Creve river,
while Folembray is three miles farth-
er southeast and about two miles
northwest of Coucy.
The day statement said the Ger
mans had reached the line of Bichan-
court, Autreville and Barisis. These
towns are on an east and west line
| through Pierremande, Barisis being
six miles south Of LaFere and three
miles due north of Coucy-
This is the first advance OF any
consequence by the enemy in this
region since the offensive developed.
The German statement further re-
ported the repulse OF British and
! French attacks along the Ancre and
Ayre. On the east bank Of the Meuse
| in the Verdun sector a successful
German raid was reported.
/ The London war office announced
the re-establishment of former posi-
tons in Aveluy wood north OF Albert
opposite Albert and south OF Hebut-
erne.
| A German attack in the region OF
Hangard west of Demuin was broken
up by artillery fire. the French com
munique said.
Won Hindenburs in Danger.
i[By ]. w. T. Mason, Written for the
| United tress.l
NEW YORK, April s.-General Foch
lis threatening to develop a counter
| stroke against Won Hindenburgs
southern flank in the area where the
newly extended German front joins
| the southwestern corner of the old
Hindenburg line.
/ This is the reason why the Ger
mans have begun their sudden ac-
tivity along the Disc. There is no
uncertainty for Won Hindenburg that
General Foch will start a major at
| tack in that region but the threat has
PROFESSIONALLY been made, probably
by a new concentration Of a consider
able force of allied troops.
Won Hindenburg's present moves in
| the Disc district are in reality defen-
sive measures to secure local positions
of tactical value and to feel out Gen
eral Foch's strength.
The situation facing Won linden
burg in this area, contains the threat
to his own armies that he imposed up
on the allies during his advance
through Picardy.
The main strategic purpose OF the
German drive was to separate the
/ British and French armies at their
point of contact and to roll up the
British right wing. throwing the whole
British line into disorganized mass.
This plan failed. But in attempting
it, Won HindenbuTg moved his solth-
ern flank so far to the west that 1t has
I become what for tactical purposes
! is a unit by itself.
/ Just as the French and British
forces were distinct units during the
battle Of Picardy, so now the new
southern front of the Germans, is dis
tirct from the old southern front
which it joins near the Disc.
New supply routes undoubtedly
nave been organized and the lines of
communication cannot be the same.
II, therefore, General Foch can cut
the German southern flank where the
old and new lines unite, he will have
severed Won Hindenburg's armies ex-
actly as Won Hindenburg hoped to
isolate the British from the French.