Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1918 — AMERICANS SUFFER CASUALTIES [ARTICLE]

AMERICANS SUFFER CASUALTIES

In Fierce Onslaughts! By Germans In Toul Sector. DENTED LINE LATER RESTORED With Heavy Losses to Enemy Forces —Germans Claim to Have Taken 188 Prisoners. i Washington, April 22. —General Pershing's first report on the German assault aiipon the American and French forces in the Toul sector (Saturday is understood to indicate that the Americans sustained more than 200 casualties, and to estimate the German losses at between 300 and 400. It was learned tonight that the report had been received, but war dbpartiqent officials refused to make it public or to comment, upon persistent reports about the department concerning its contents. Secretary Baker is understood to be waiting more details before malting an announcement, though Ire probably will lay the information received before the house military committee when he appears tomorrow to tell of his trip abroad. Yankees Regain Positions.

Having withstood a violent German infantry attack in force the American troops on the sector northwest of Toul have driven the enemy from the positions he gained Saturday and have restored the situation completely. The American main positions held out against the enemy, but he occupied advance elements from which he was ejected Sunday by the Americans in a counter-attack. To the east the French lines also have been reestablished. Indications are that the Germans intended to make the attack the start of an effort to separate the American and French troops and. perhaps, wipe out the American sector. General Pershing's men, however, fought desperately and only retired from Seicheprey before overpowering numbers. The enemy was mot able to hold the village and soon evacuated it. After the Americans had driven the Germans, from the occupied advanced posts, the enemy did not attack 1 again and Sunday was cohtparatively quiet east of St. Mihiel. The German offensive, which persisted throughout the day and into the night, was preceded by most violent artillery fire, but the Americans were undismayed and stuck to their guns amd trenches to meet the enemy storming troops. Two German airplanes were brought down by American machine gunners.

Foes’ Resumption of Offensive Near Events along the battle line in France and Belgium seem to be shaping themselves for a resumption of the great German offensive. Since the savage attack on the American forces at Seicheprey on Saturday there has been no fighting of an extraordinary nature along the front, but there have been indications that the Teutons are almost ready to resume the sledge-hammer blows they have been aiming at the allied armies. Unless recent operations have been feipts it is probable that th“ coming week will witness two great turning movements by the Germans. One probably will pivot on the village of Robecq. northwest of j Bethune, on the southern side of the salient driven into the allied lines, back of Armentiers. The other is expected to develop at or near Mesnil, north of Albert, on the north side of the Somme salient. The allied armies are holding all lines intact and have strengthened their positions in many places.