The Detroit times., 1917-11-24

had been sent back OF the lines in
rest bilicts
various parts Of tho whole west
ern tf0Dt have, contributed every
man that could .be spared.
Today the British lines. still forg-
fnx their steel wedge, mcnaced The
entire German salient between Cam
brai and the Sensee valley.
Withdrawal OF British forces from
Fontaine Notre Dame was case
of pure bad luck. The COMPANIES
defending the position were short of
ammunition when they were at
tackled by three battallons.
The position was an important
one. since Il endangered the Ger
man hold on Bourbon wood and the
village nearby. both OF which are
on the high ground and afford a
sweeping view OF the country Ia all
directions.
/ talked with ono mud-coated cou-
pie trundllng a I0-months-old baby.
The child was pulling away at bot
tie. II was German beer bottle,
and II was filed, they told me. with
American condensed milk. A pre-
cious rubber nipple was tied on the
top.
.The Germans were scared when
the tanks approached Cantaine
the couple said In chorus OF excite
ment. "That was Wednesday morn
ing. We had a sergeant and three
other German soldiers billeted with
us. They ran away so scared they
left the coffee pot on the fire anc
a skillet that was steaming away
with cooking.
"The tanks loafed around our vii.
iage until O'Clock In the afternoon.
when the British cavalry came In
"Then the Germans began wildly
Smelling us. There were no casncl
ties among us civilians. When The
infantry came az night we were
evacuated"
I'VE don't know whore we are go
ing" the tired wife nGdod her wan
face lighting up. "but were glad 10
get out OF The clutches of the Boehe
We haven anything bat tho clothes
we are wearing and this basket of
food.
You know" she confessed, 1--WE
NIL cried when we saw the tanks
the men as we'll as the women--we
were so glad.
"The Germans frst treated the
villagers brutally, but after the first
year things got a little better. The
Boches' hatred seemed 20 be directed
more against England
WITH THE ITALIAN ARMIES,
rTr4.- ur-fs lob no
fate Of the Venetian plains may de-
pend was developing ia fury of
concentrated fire today, between
the Brenta and Piave rivers.
Held fast everywhere along the
front by the magnificent Italian de
tense. the German and Austrian
STATS were massing tremendous
forces at this point evidently having
picked II as the key 10 the line
That the German and Austrian
stats are by no means convinced
OF their ability 10 break the line
and are even fearful OF an enforced
retreat when British and French re
infcrcements shall have arrived, was
indicated In reports OF aviators 10.
day showing that the enemy Is al
ready preparing defense line along
the Tagliamento river.
The strongest sort OF defenses are
being constructed here.
Nzw types OF German guns made
their appearance in the pivotal pat
tie between the Brenta and Piave
They are OF large caliber and
mounted on huge motors, givina
them great mobility. The guns
operate in groups
ROME, Nov. 24--Kaiser Wilhelm
OF Germany, Emperor Charles OF
Austria Hungary. and Enver Pasha
OF Turkey were reported In confer
ence on the Italian front today II
Swiss dispatches received here. 4
new Central powers agreement. par
ticularly as 10 Germany and Aus
tria's division OF the spoils OF war
was understood to be behind tht
meeting.
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