The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1918-05-17
Airmen onBoth Sides Have
Shown Intense Activity
of Late
FINE WEATHER
FOR TWO DAYS
Official Reports by French,
British and American
Headquarters
rRv Associated rress.1

With the British Army in France,
Thursday, May 16.-The allies are
still waiting for Field Marshal Won
Hindenburg to show his hand. No
more magnificent weather could be
imagined than has favored the west
ern front in the last 48 hours. But
even this has brought no change in
the military situation. The Germans
continue to remain comparatively in
active in their sunbaked defenses and
were it not for the gruubling Of the
guns, the clouds Of dust along the
lines of transport and the fight Of air
planes winging their way across the
battle zone. it would be hard to
realize that a war was going on.
Notwithstanding this there has
been no relaxation of the tension
which has existed along the front
for many days. It is realized that
the enemy may strike at any tine.
Certainly no one doubts that an am
bilious offensive is in preparation and
the time necessary to complete the
plans must have about run its
course.
The delay is in itself an added in
dication that the next German push
is to be one Of great magnitude and
,fierceness. This next battle may
, easily be the crucial one, for the
Germans undoubtedly will attempt
once more to smash entirely through
the allies lines,
If the Germans again fail to
achieve their aim-and all along this
front there is confidence that they
will-the defending forces will feel
easy once more, for they believe that
if the enemy cannot break through
this time he will have played his
last high trump. If he is held again
it will be the beginning Of the end
for the central powers, military eX-
perts say.
"In this connection the assistance
of America, fast coming to the res
cue. is emphasized. It Is felt that
with steadily growing man power
the allies will be able to resume the
offensive and reclaim the land over
run bv the invaders. Dependence Is
being placed out here on the help OF
the United States in delivering the
finishing blow. She holds the bal
ance of power, and the prospects are
being discussed eagerly throughout
the length of the line. Everywhere
there Is the greatest confidence in
America on the part of allied ofn-
GERS and men.
AS the correspondent Of the AS
SOClateQ EreSS travels up SSilu ON"A
the front he is besieged constantly
by friendly inquiries as to how Am
erican preparations are coming
along. Sometimes there is certain
anxiety expressed. to be sure, but
there iss, no impatience. officers are
loud in their praise Of the work they
understand already has been accom-
pIished by America. Such troops as
have been sent from the United
| States have pleased the veterans i'm
| mensely, for the overseas recruits
shape up well. 1t is felt that with
an army Of such material victory is
certain, for the allies will hold the
Germans until that army gets into
action.
While the infantry was compare
lively quiet today the airTnen on both
sides have been extremely busy. At
daybreak this morning Archie" shells
began screaming .skyward toward
hostile planes and ever since German
aviators have been making good use
of the brilliant sun to reconnoiter
to to take photographs. The allied
airmen have been pursuing their
steady and relentless work over the
German lines.
London, May 17.-The German ar
tillery FIRE is increasingly active from
LOGON to Hinges, along the western