Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 114, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 May 1918 — BRITISH SMASH HUN ATTACK [ARTICLE]

BRITISH SMASH HUN ATTACK

ALLIES CHEERED BY KNOWLEDGE THAT NEW AMERICAN 'LEGIONS ARRIVING. London, May 21.—A heavy German counter attack against the British lines northwest of Merville along a front of about two-thirds of a mile broke down under the strong British resistance, according to Field Marshal Haig’s report tonight from British headquarters in France. The French also repulsed an attack north of Bailleul. Paris, May 21.—At Thenna and Hailles and south of the river Avre on the Amiens front the artillery on both sides was active last night, says the official statement issued today by the war office. French patrols brought in a number of prisoners. Striking viciously at, the enemy at various points along the western battle front; meeting each outburst of German artillery with a thunder of cannon fire and maintaining the mastery of the air in every sector from the North sea to the Swiss frontier, the armies of the entente allies are preventing the Teutonic armies from quietly perfecting their preparations for coming battles. With the knowledge that the passing of each day brings new American legions to help crush the next German offensive, the allies are finding satisfaction in the fact that the Germans have as yet been unable to launch a new blow in the struggle which Berlin had expected to be the decisive one of the war.

For the most part the Cemans have shown but little of their habitual fighting spirit along the line in France. They have been thrust back in four sectors and the allies have succeeded in winning ground which will be of great importance in the future. The Germans have counter attacked in only one instance, and this movement was carried out so slowly and with such a lack of dash that it was easily broken up before the Teutons reached the new allied positions. The attacks by the French, near Locre, on the northern side of the Lys salient and of the Australians before Amiens which have already been reported now appear to have been more successful than was at first understood. Near Locre the French have not only taken strong points, but they have made secure their lines on each side of Hill 44, which they recaptured from the Germans recently. The Australians, too, have won ground which is of great importance along the Amiens sector. They have gained ground which lends itself well to offensive tactics and will be valuable when the time comes for stern battle there. . . . On the American front there has been the usual lively exchange of artillery fire but no infantry fighting has occurred. The same is true of the situation in the .Italian theatre of the war.

Japan and China have come to an understanding relative to the carrying out of joint military operations in Siberia. It was announced some time ago that these operations would be directed only to insuring the security of each country’s interests in Manchuria, Mongolia and the far east.