Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-04-10

tween Arras and Ypres, the Ger
mans have pushed back the center
Of the allied line on an eleven milo
front. Heavy fighting still goes on,
with tho British and Portuguese
striking hard against the enemy
on tho line Of the river Lys and the
British holding the advance in
check south of Armentieres and at
Givenehy, the extreme ends Of the
battle front.
The purpose Of the German effort
is not yet clear. It has only sue
ceeded in entering foremost posh
tions on the front, but should it
drive beyond Bapaume the strong
positions at Arras and Ypres would
be endangered. The. first on
sIaught, however, did not make any
great gains, aItho the Germans at
tackled in force after most severe
bombardmsnt Of forty-eisht hours.
On a front Of about four miles
between Neuve chappeiIe and Car
donnisrs farm, the Portuguese and
1ritish have been driven back
about q mile, and laventie, west
Of Fauquissart, is in German
hands. The enemy also has oceu-
nisd Rochsbourg- ST. vaas, south Of
sNsuvs chappelIe. On the northern
end the British still hold FIauer-
vaix and have thrown back the
Germans at the LaBassee canal, on
the southern extremity.
For more than eighteen months
there has been no heavy offensive
on this front. Raids and local at
tacks made by the enemy were re-
pulsed by the allied troops. Neuve
chappeIIs, however, was the center
Of severe fighting during 1914,
1915 and 1916.
American troops soon will be in
the thick Of the fighting in the
great western drive. They have
appeared in the British battle zone,
where their presence is expected
to be felt shortly, advices state.
Meanwhile the new German Of
fensive in Flanders appears to be
developing into more than a local
operation. The fighting has
spread to the north Of Armentieres,
south Of which it first broke out,
and drive now is on between Az
mentieres and Messines, behind
which lies the famous ridge, the
taking Of which by the British in
the terrific blasting operations last
year gave them the firm. hold in
the Flanders area.
The new stroke is Of such mag
nitude as to constitute an attempt
to break thru the British line, in
the opinion Of at least one close
observer at the front.
Tho fresh German blow struck
yesterday between Lasassse and
Armentiercs already has driven a
deep salient into the British lines
below Armentieres and the Armen.
there's region was reported under
attack this morning. The infantry
fiehtina is spreading to the north
ward. following heavy lombard.
nent by German guns, extending
to tho Ypres- Confines canal, just
TO the southeast Of Ypres.
Arnentieres, already near the tip
Of a sharp bend in the line, has
been further pocketed and seems
in serious peril from converging
attacks from the north and south.
The British, however, hold the
line Of the river Lys, to the south.
west, and at latest reports had pre-
vented q crossing by the Germans
near Bao Sc. MAR. four miles
southwest Of Arr,entieres. and an.
other at Estaires, still farther to
the southwest.
From the vicinity Of Estaires the
British are holding tho line Of the
river Lave, southwark for a short
distance. the front then curvinq in
a southeastwardIv direction. NcoupI-
ing at or near the line Of Giverehy,
Tho maximum depth Of the Cor.
man penetration was four and one
haIf miles.
Givenchy, at one-time in German.
hands. was retaken by British
counter thrust.
= - 60 A.. j.
The Erench Were more hetIv .n-
aaaed at some points. oiv;,q
ground at one. place but re.e.+ah-
,iishira th.ir position in a counter
attack. No serious attemnt. 40.
pear to have been made Abv the
Germans to advance at other
points.
se On the Franco British bat.Ie
front below Arras and across tine
oomms to the reoion of Coucy
there has been no infantry activity,
altho the artillery dueIs have been
most violent. French artillery
broke up German attempt 70 at
taek nsar Hangard, and west Of
Neyen IN enemy assault was re-i