Republican farmer., 1918-04-12
Earth Quaking From
 Violence Of Shells:
 Rain Hanlpering Foe
WEATHER KEEPS INFANTRY INACTIVE; TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENT THAT IS NOW PREVAILING PRESAGES RE-
 NEWAL OF ENEMYS DRIVE.

In preparation for another heavy infantry attack against the Allied lines in Picardy attempt to Amen the German guns of all cabres roaring in thunderous tones along front of than 100 miles from north of Arra to north Of Soissons The entire countryside said to be rock ing from the heavy detonaons but infantry action has developed
 The sky heavily overcast with low hanging clouds and the earth is blanketed with ground mist Rain is falling casonay it did yesterday and during last night making the battle ground undesirable terrain for operations
 There has been change the situation, according t the latest reports this morning from the battle front.
 UNAVOIDABLE WEATHER PREVAILS
 The Germans have encountered unfavorabe for the big attack they apparently contemplating against the British front and infantry action had developed when the reports dispatched from headquarters this Neither there any movement of infantry along the French front probably because of the
 Especially has been the fire quoy north of Albert south of the and between dider and Noyon Last week the Germans failed in acks to penetrate the British and French deenses north and south of the sectors directly east of Amens and thus of their wedge The tremendous bombardment ing undoubtedly the forunner of heavy attacks prob ably all along the line from Arras to NoyOn.
 HAVE HELD FOE 10 DAYS
 Bucquoy which south of Aras, is the northern end of the sector which the British defended vaany last week. The British here and both the north and south hold strong hill positions, which their artillery guns command all approaches The Germans must widen the head their wedge along the Somme and it is believed that they again will attempt to do by attacks the Bucquoy
 Below Montdider the German line bends. Here the French have held the Germans for nearly 10 days despite were attacks To extend the battle front the south lacking front probably would include the line eastward from Montdider to Noyon.
 REAR GUARDS NFIICT LOSS
 Along the Ancre Somme Luce and Avre rivers where the Germans made strong and fruess attacks during the last 10 days there has been infantry fighting As elsewhere ever the enemy artillery fire has increased greatly
 extreme eastern end of the southern the sa the Germans have checked somewhat their advance southward from Chauney The French still hold part
 forest of Coucy and Monday the French guard3 inflicted heavy losses the Germans whose advance hn dred greatly by the French resistance The enemy has not yet reached the line of the Ailette river
 On the rest of the front there has been little activity On the American northwest of Foul and in Lorraine there have been patrol actions and artillery firing
 BRITISH WAR OFFICE STATEMENT
 "The German artillery developed great activity early to- day the British front the line from LaBassee canal to south of Armenere according to oday British official office announcement.
 Early today the enemys artillery developed great activity the front extending from LaBasee canal to south mentieres
 British front except heavy hostile shelng the neighborhood of Vers Bretonneux court TAbbe there nothing special to report" FRENCH OFFICIAL STATEMENT
 "Vioent artillery fighting occurred during the night at various points north of Mondder and between Mondder and Noyon announced officially by the French office. No infantry action developed
 advanced troops south the with drew to prepared positions southwest of the lower forest ICoucy and south of Coucy le Chateau"
 There great activity the part of the artillery both sides at points along the front north Mont dder and between Mondder and Noyon No infantry action occurred.
 INTERMITTENT COMMANDMENTS
 "On the left bank of the Disc there intermittent bom- bardmens Advanced French troops in conformity or ders which had been given carried out withdrawal led positions southwest of the lower Goucy and southwest of Goucy R Chateau German troops kept stany under the French artillery fire and heavy losses in the of this operation.
 1.-Two German raids northwest of Rheims repused Other German efforts against small French posts Eparges in the sector of Reon and north of Bonhomme achieved no greater success"
 IDnDFDT METQnN mobile imposing fines Ias