The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1918-05-02
DRIVE RENEWED
DUTCH MAY BREAK

After three weeks of preparation in
the Somme, during which time they
launched an offensive in Flanders, the
Germans have resumed their hammer
Ing at the front door Of Amiens. For
days there has been heavy artillery
firing along the northern sectors of
the Somme salient and finally the Ger.
man infantry began their attempts
to advance on the line passing Villers-
Bretonneaux, Hangard Hailles and
Castel. The first attacks were re.
pulled, but subsequent attacks, en-
tered about Wllers-Bretonnew have
caused a British withdrawal from this
village, according to a report from
Field Marshal Haig. This marks
German gain of about mile.
Villers-Bretonneu is about II miles
directly east of Amiens and is on the
northern end of the latest fighting
front. 1t is situated between the
Somme and Luce Rivers, and, while
It is flanked on the south by low-lying
ground, it is backed by rolling hills
to the west and northwest.
The fighting on the rest Of the front
where the Germans have resumed
their drive toward the Allied base OF
supplies in Northern France has not,
so far as known, resulted in any not.
able retirements on the part of the
Allies. The German official report is.
sued was silent as to events in this
sector of the front.
An attack on this particular part OF
the line in the Somme region had been
expected, and it is probable that prep
arations to meet 1t had ben made. The
British line held in this region during
the last days of the initial drive, while
the Germans were able to forge ahead
south until they reached the village
of Castel, about three miles from the
railroad running to Paris from
Amiens. Recently French counter
offensive at Caste! won back consid-
cradle ground, and it was evident that
unless the line further north could be
advanced materially the Germans had
little chance to make important gains
in their operations to the south Of
Amiens.
This new drive has been made at
the same time that another blow has
been struck at the British and French
lines northwest of Ypres. Savage
fighting is reported at various points
along the line from Bailleul to Mer.
vile, and Berlin claims that heights
to the northeast of Bailleul have been
stormed. Coincident with these at.
tacks, there have been assaults on the
British forces near Bethune, along the
Lave River, but these have been re-
pulsed
The situation between Germany and
Holland is still obscure. 1t has been
reported that virtual ultimatum was
delivered to The Netherlands govern.
ment by Berlin, but this is not as yet
known to be fact. Dispatches from
The Hague insist that Holland will not
depart from her attitude of neutrality.
An unofficial report says that the
Dutch Minister has left for The Hague
and that the German Minister has
started for Berlin.
Congress, which has been consider.
ing a declaration Of state of war
with Bulgaria and Turkey, probably
will not take any action in the face of
opposition on the part Of President
Wilson. 1t is said that the safety OF
Americans in both countries has
caused the President to indicate that
hostilities should not be declared at
the present time.