Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-04-15
Germans Have Failed in
Purpose to Achieve Vic
tory in Field.
WILL BE FORCED TO
RESUME OLD TACTICS
Purpose Of German Higher Command
to AnnihiIate British Army and Ter
rain Captured Counts LittIe-War
Department Reviews Events Of Past
Week, Seeing in Fighting Of Seven
Days Failure Of German Plan to Gain

Washington, April 15-Turning point
in the battle on the western front
is being reached, says the war depart
ments review for the week ending
April 13. The Germans have failed in
their purpose to achieve victory in the
field, the statement continues, and soon
will be forced to resume their old
tactics.
I'VE must bear in mind" the review
says. that the enemy is Waging bat
tile of annihilation to achieve victory.
is fighting today with the sole aim OF
annihlating the British army, there
fore terrain, conquered counts little.
While it must be admitted that
German operations have resulted in
more than mere plowing up of part
of the allied trench system and capture
of local detectives, nevertheless. the
aims Of the German higher command
have not been attained
"The turning point in the west is
being reached. The Germans have
scored distinctive advantage, yet they
have failed to achieve a victory in the
field. and soon must return to their
old tactics, seeking to gain limited OBJ
jectives. striking at first one point and
then another, making allied positions
untenable and giving themselves great
er security.
Lively shelling took place along the
whole Italian front and the allies ex-
ecuted a number Of raids in the Asiage
region.
while regrouping of forces has been
going on a concentration Of hostile
forces is reported. An enemy offensive
in this area Is an increasing probable
ity."
Huns Seek Weak Spots.
The review of operations says:
"As time passes it becomes evident
that the enemy is striking with re-
newed vigor at the weakest point he
can find.
"In the offensive in Picardy the Ger
mans sought for a rift in the line where
the French and British forces join.
Failing to achieve any definite re
suits they promptly returned to the
assault elsewhere, hoping that by driv-
ing wedge in the sector\held by the
Portuguese and British troops to effect
a break thru. This was the operation
attempted early in the week on the
famous battle front before Lille.
Here on a frontage Of 10000 yards,
from Armentiers to LaBassee canal.
the segment held by the Portuguese
troops, flanked on their side,
by British divisions, VISA pene-
trated after heavy bombardment. The
hostile attack was favored by a heavy
fog and in spite of the fact that the
British fought tenaciously they were
forced to give ground after the Portu-
guese had.
Battle Line Is Extended.
"The front of attacks since has been
further extended and the British have
been forced to abandon positions to the
north and south Of the Lys and west
of the Lave.
"The> enemy has made headway along
the IaBassee canal to within the i'm
mediate vicinity OF Bets1ne. while
other pcISb northwest of the city. OF
considerable tactical importance, have
fallen into the hands of the enemy.
The enemy now finds himself within
forty miles Of Calais. The main lines
Of communication - channel ports
radiate vertically from this battle
front.
Seeks "Annihilation Vivtory.'.
IF the enemy can muster the driving
power he will in all probability con-
tinue his assaults, hoping that by an
enyeloping attack on an oblique front,
to use the classic Prussian definition
he may score a complete annihilation
victory.
There has been less activity on the
southern flank of the Picardy salient.
Here the line taken over by the French
now is fully consolidated.
1.-THE German higher command made
desperate attempts to enlarge gains
from Montdidier to Noyon but they
were everywhere repulsed by the
French.
North of the Sonme the British re-
established their line in the Aveluy
wood and took number of prisoners.
Activities On American Front.
I'm the sectors where our own forces
are fighting. considerable activity pre-
vailed. After protracted artillery
preparations the Germans launched an
attack on our positions northwest OF
Toul. Our artillery was able to dis
perse the assaulting columns And
check the attacks. Our own infantry
counter attacked and drove off the
remnant Of the enemy units. A num-
Der of prisoners were taken. Our
casualties were relatively slight.
1.-THE enemy also executed a minor
raid against one Of our outpoets in the
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