The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-30
BATTLE NOT OVER.
CHIEF OF BRITISH MILITARY OP.
ERAFIONS DECLARES TIME
Is ON SIDE OF ALLIES.
Comments on Big Battle, Stating That
Entente Forces Not Likely 10 Be
FaccG with Another Crisis.

London, March 27.-The Germans
are in possession of the town Of Albert,
1t was announced today by Major
Gen. Maurice, chief director of mill
tary operations at the war. office. The
British are holding the railway en1-
bankmen on the western outskirts OF
the place, he stated. stssy p
There have been two critical mo-
ments thus far in the battle raging IN
France, Major Gen. Maurice said in
an interview today with the Asso-
ciated Press ,,.,ss ve.,.
1.-The first was Saturday, when the
enemy got across the Tortillc river
and ne. " reached the line on the
Somme." Gen. Maurice declared. The
second was Monday, when he took
Courcellutte, and a similar danger OF
breach was present"
"The opposing forces on the whole
front are as nearly equal as possible" :"
the general said. 1.-The enemy, being
the seems first. What we require Is
time to get our forces to the right
place. Every day the enemy In held
Is tremendous advantage to us.
THE battle is far from over end
would NOT like TO say we are not likely
to be faced with another crisis. 3ut
time is on our side. The enemy is get
ting further from his rail heads and
the area behind the line is getting
more congested His supply of men
also is wearing down. Thus far the
Germans have kept their troops in
echelon, throwing in fresh men from
the rear echelons as fast as the
front line is exhausted. Meanwhiis
the men carry full equipment and ex-
ist on iron rations. Their process Of
handling troops is growing difiicult
and meanwhile Anglo French reserves
are getting nearer the battle front.
THE situation today is less critical
than it has been in the last few
days" - ~ >Ss-s-.-- n 2
! .<.sy .se -.--sss,
Gen. Maurice laid a map of tho
western front on the table in head
quarters while making his customary
verbal statement today, blue line
representing the front as outlined in
last nights communique. while q
Bright green lire showed the line at
l O'clock this afternoon.
The changes today include slight
enemy advances along the Somme.
both north and south of the river,
and a similar enemy push further
south, around Erches and EEchelle-
st. Aurin.
During the night" continued Gen.
Maurice, the enemy attacked just
north OF the Somme and drove us
back to Mericourt and Sally. but fresh
Allied troops arrived On the scene this,
morning and counter attached. re-
gaining considerable part of the
ground the Germans had taken. On
the remainder of the northern part Of
the front the line. remained steady"
For the time being the enemy In
definitely checked north OF The
Somme. he fighting la this districc
has been Very severe and the enemy
troops are exhausted.
North of Albert an attack NAV be
eXnpCfld ny,,n mt o,,.l
serves have been seen massing.
THE enemy is now in Albert.
while the British line holds the rail.
way emban Sment on the western out
skirts
South OF the Somme attacks in
the Roye aid Noyon areas are expect.
ed to be renewed. but French reserves
are approaching" t...t
One remarkable feature of the
whoie battle has been the work of the
AIMED airmen." said Gen. Maurice.
we dropped twenty-five and one
half tons of bombs on enemy reserves
around Peronne and Bapaume in one
"ight. During the day low-iying ma
'hines opei ated constantly, and all
without interference on the part of
the enemy from the air. With their
machine guns they inflicted heavy
losses on the enemy and constantly
lnterfered with his preparations"
KILLED RY FIRE OF U.BOAT.