Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-24

al the victor in the greatest conflict in
Che worlds history. should the Ger
mans win. as their leaders have boast
ed they would.
NOiLoSs OF CONFIDENCE
49, On ALLIED SIDE
Despite the advances made by the
Germans. no loss of confidence on tho
allied side in the ultimate outcome Is
apparent. Serious. but not alarming"
js the view London takes Of the stu
ation. Attention is largely conferred
now the st. Quentin thrust. and the
next big DEVELOPMENTS are looked for
TO come from that sector.
THE great battle in the west has
caused all other news to become of
minor importance by comparison, but
considerable interest attaches TO the
announcement of a further British sue
cess in Palestine, whore General Al
lenby's troops have forced crossing
Of the River Jordan and are lighting
their way eastward after successfully
bridging the stream.
Besides the mysterious boniba rdme nt
OF Paris. the city was subjected to its
fret daylight air raid. carried out
shortly after S o'clock Saturday morn
ing. Bombs were dropped at several
points by the few machines. flying at
m extremely high altitude. which sue
cecdcd in penetrating over the city. A
number OF casualties resulted
GERMANS SUCCEED IN
BRINGING ACTION INTO OPEN
After two days terrific battling in
their great offensive on the western
front, tho Germans nave finally sue
eeeded In bringing the action at one
point on the front som ewhat more into
the open.
Field Marshal Haie reports that the
British defensive system west Of ST.
Quentin. near the southern edge OF tho
nfty-mile front under attack. was
broken through by the great weight
Of the enemy Infantry and artillery.
The British here are falling back In
good order.
That tho yielding OF tho limo at this
point had been by no means unex-
pectod and possibly had been foreseen
~ ultimately inevitable, is indicated by
fhs statement that tho retirement is to
prepare positions further west across
tho devastated district. There Is moth
ing IN tho report to indicate that this
retroErade movement will affect the
strong defensive lines to the north in
any way seriously, as it is explicitly
stated that these positions continue to
DO held by the British forces.
lust what tho effect will DO upon the
entente line to the aouth Is not yet
apparent Tho British hold tho front
10 n pSint some fifteen miles south OF
st. Quentin. to the River Disc, at about
the town Of La Fere. where the French
limo begins No reports have been re-
oeived from Paris rs TO whether the
French forces have become involved in
the battle From the nearness Of the
point Of German penetration TO their
lines, however, It would seem prob
able that they soon Will be found taking
part in the struggle.
ALLIES HAVE ARMY OF
MANEUvER IN RESERVE
There is another factor to be consid-
cred also should the German thrust
develop more seriously. There was
created last winter by the supreme war
council at Versailles an entente army
OF maneuver." understood to be made up
OF troops OF all allies. which was de-
signed to be available for action at any
point on the wide front from the North
S.a to the Adriatic where 1t should be
needed.
1t has doubtless not been tho entente
intention to throw this army into &C
tion hastily. but it unquestionably
stands ready for use in any emergency
and might easily prove tho vital factor
In any general engagement which the
western front lighting should develop
The battle is still in progress along
tho British front. with the Germans
Inn nj y,l
the struggle. 1t is estimated that fifty
German divisions are already In
volved. with probably Eve or moro ad-
diuonal divisions IN close reserve. Ad-
vices from correspondents indicate tAat
wherever the British troops are fall
Ing back they are doing so In excel
lent order and with celebration, with
drawing voluntarily at some points In
order to maintain IN unbroRen front
Field Marshal. Haig has deemed Il
Sxpedient not 70 d!vmlge the exact To-
cation OF the British battle limo, but
tho most Intense hghting has been
around Croisilles, on the north and
LeFersucr on the south. In the center
OF the northern half of the ffty-miIe
front near the Bapaune- Cambria high
road. the British have held against The
enemy. Near Croisilles the Germans
used nine divisions in their attack and
south OF St Quentin they used six di.
visions. Here the British retired to The
protection OF the Disc River and the
\aooded ground near it.
+. GERMANS SUFFER HEAVILY
FROM MACHINE-GUS FIRE
Tho initial German efforts were aim
ca at Lagnicourt. at the northern end
OF the sharp Camtrai salient, and at
SouzeaucouEt. at the southern point of
tho salient After the first assa,ilt tha
GeFIhans. hring great quantities of
shells into the British positions, length
ened the attacking fronts severa! miles
at both ends OF the salient. Apparently
ne! gained the iirst-line British posi-
lion on she sectors attacked but sur
feyed severely from British rIne. ma :
chine-guh and artillery IRE against
iheir solid advancing ranks.
Inc IeTHaahs have no; yet taken
advantage OF the concentration O, all