Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-25

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 German Infantry began their attempts to ad- vance on the line passing Villers- Bretonneux, Ilansard, Hailles and Castel. The first attacks were re- pulsed, but subsequent attacks, cen tered about Nillers- -Bretonneux, have caused British withdrawal from this village, according to a report from Field Marshal Haig. This marks a German gain of about mile.
 Eleven Miles East of Amiens.
 Nillers- -Bretonneux is about eleven miles directly east of Amiens and is on the northern end of the latest lighting front. It is situated between the Somme and Luce rivers and. while Il Is flanked on the south by low lying ground, it is backed by rolling hits to the west and northwest.
 The lighting on the rest of the front where the Germans have resumed their drive toward the allied base of sup plies in northern France has not. So
 
 retirements on the part of the allies. The German official report issued on " ednesday was silent as to events in this sector of the front.
 Attack Had Been Expected.
 An attack on tsis particular part of the line in the Sonme region had been expected, and it is probable that preparations to meet it had been made. The British lines held firm in this region during the last days of the initial drive. while the Germans were able 10 forge ahead further south un- LII they reached the village of Castel, about three miles from the railroad running to Paris from Amiens. Re gently French counter offensive at tastel won back considerable ground and it was evident that unless fine 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 fight ing is reported at various points along the line from Bailleul to MervilIe and Berlin claims that heights to the = ed Coincident with these attacks. there have been assaults on the Brit lsh forces near Bethune. along the Lave river, but these have been re- pulsed.
 Damage at Zeebrugee and ostend.
 Some of the uncertainty as to tba success of the British exploit in at- tempting to seal up the harbors of Zeebrugge and Ostend has been clear ed up by observations carried out hv aNlators. Grave damage was done to the mole at Zeebrugge. while the hulks or sunken steamers are said to at least partially block the channel leading out 10 sea from the port of Ostend.
 On the front in France, with the ex- cepton of the Somme salient. there has been little fighting of an unusual nature.
 The situation between Germany and Holland is stil1 obscure. It has been reported that a virtual ultimatlIm was delivered to the Netherlands govern ment by Berlin, but this is not as vel knoWn to be fact Despatches from me Hague insist that Holland win not depart from her attitude of nen- traiity. An unofficial report says that the Dutch minister has left for The Hague and that the German minigter mas started for Berlin
 Congress. which has been consider ing declaration of a state of war with Bulgaria and Turkey, will prob aoly not take any action in the face of opposition on the part of President Wilson. It is said that the safetv of Americans in both countries has caused the president to indicate that hostiiities should not be declared at the present time.