Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-05-04
BRITISH FIRMLY
HOLD ALL PLACES
GAINED YESTERDAY
Oppy Line is Pierced at I'm
portant Point-Bloodiest
Battle Known.
NO DEFINITE NEWS
COMES FROM BERLIN
Imperial Chancellor is Hard
Pressed-Disquieting Re-
ports From Russia.
(By Associated Press.)


Furious efforts are being made
by the Germans to stop the Brit
ish smash through the Hinden-
burg line in northern France.
General Haig, however, has
made good the most telling gains
effected in the renewal of the
great drive yesterday. Fresnoy,
three miles east of Vimy, and the
captured lines north and south of
it, are firmly held after the re-
pulse of numerous severe coun-
ter attacks. A deep salient has
been created in the Oppy line
here.
Near Bullecourt, in the Croi-
stiles district southeast of Arras,
the sector of the Hindenburg line
taken yesterday, was also subject
ed to a heavy counter drive, but
this valuable position likewise
remained safely in British hands.
The Germans in Bullecourt are
nearly surrounded and threatened
with capture, correspondents re-
port.
Only on one narrow front was
the British advance negative.
This was in the vicinity of Cher
isy and on the Arras-C Cambria
road just to the north. Here the
advanced positions taken were
,,eYacuated under the German
pressure.
Meanwhile activity developed
and new initial success was
scored in another part of the
fighting front. Northwest of St.
Quentin, a deeper wedge was
driven into the German line and
the Malakoff farm northeast of
Hargicourt was captured.
The French along the Aisne
front and in the Champagne are
continuing to pound the German
lines with their artillery. West
of Mont Cornillet in the Cham
pagne they have made fresh prog
ress in the wooded district.
The British have burst through the
Oppy line and are fighting the blood
lest and sternest battle Of the present
offensive in a great effort to smash
the famous Wotan line before its Or
gantzation is completed. The Hin
denburg line out-danked and pierced
in several places has failed to stop
the forward surge of the British
armies and the Wotan positions are
the last great barrier barring the road
to Douai. Cambrai. and Germany's
richest prize in France the great coal
and iron fields north of Lens.
Closing in on Line.
The Wotan line runs from Dro-
court to Queant. a stretch of Is miles
! running north and south about five
miles west Of Douai and Cambria.
Around Queant. the southern extrem-
| ity of the line. General Haig has
formed a great human nippers and is
striving with all the power at his
| nippers Realizing the menace Of the
| situation the Germans are lighting
with grim determination which
reckons no cost in blood too high IL
it halts their advancing foe.
The renewed fury into which the
diverted attention from the possibly
more significant events which are
shaping behind the battle front.
No Real News From Germany.
The German censorship has lifted
as far as to allow newspapers and
mails from Germany once more to
reach the outer world. but there 10
little information, as yet as to what
has transpired within the borders Of
the German empire during the last
week. The German chancellor IL once
pronouncement on peace before the
reischstag and his hand is apparently
being forced by the Junkers. The
reactionartes. enraged and alarmed by
the apparent dominance Of the So
cialist party. with its program Of
peace without annexation or indemni-
ties. has presented an Interpolation
to the chancellor demanding that he
clarity his position. The Jun1kers are
still clamorinE for the annexation Of
Belgium and all reports indicate that
the government must very shortly
take q definite stand on the question
Of war aims and internal reforms.
Demand Miluko6's Resignation.
DisQuieting reports come from Rus
the soldiers and workmen toward tho
provisional government. Demonstra-
tions are occurring in streets OF Petro-
grad against Paul eAilukpn. the min
lister OF foreign affairs, his re6iGnaticn
being demanded.
Professor MilukoR Is considersd one
Of tho strongest mon In the new Rtle-s
sian rekims and thoroughly a favor
Of An energetic prosecution Of the WAs
4 nv ROaaias IS: Tho radical sAlaSsSAssAa -.