Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-29

AneInln QeS LANES TO the
Vesle river, which they
succeeded in crossing a. a cost of
fearful massacre, the Germans en-
countered strong reserve armies which
held them like a chain of steel.
General F'och has the situation well
in hand everywhere
The other main features of the war
situation was that Americans are
now upon the Aisne front. forming
part OF the reserve army which is
/ holding the Teutonic hordes in check.
Several of Pershing's troops are now
upon the three big battle fields of
France Flanders. Picardy and the
| Aisne
French war correspondents describe
the part which the Americans played
in the battle north of scissors as
gallant.
They forced parts of the reserve
armies which charged three times
through clouds of poisoned gas.
Although artillery activities were
reported from the southern zone of
combat where the Germans began
their latest drive on Monday morn
ing Fresh details that are coming in
emphasize the brave conduct of the
allied armies along the Aisne Eight
allied divisions alone held out against
the overpowering army of thirty.six
German divisions They yielded
ground only after the fercest strug-
gle
In the violent rear guard struggles
the allied troops fought like Trojans,
hidering the German advance until
the field gray masses had to feel their
/ way forward foot by foot. This delay
enabled the allies to bring up their
! reserves, while the Germans were be.
coming more and more exhausted, BY
their tremendous exertons and terri.
| fc forces.
! The battle of the Aisne has now
reached apparently the same phase as
the battles OF Picardy and Flanders
/ The allied high command allowed the
Germans to advance at the price OF
I appalling losses until they reached the
/ line where they shall not pass"
! Battle weary and with their morale
shaken the Germans will now have
! to pound against an unbroken line
/ The Teutonic forces may achieve
/ further gains, but their advances un.
queslionably will be unimportant.
/ The hills south Of the Vesle river in
/ front Of which the kaiser's army
/ now stands. form strong defensive
/ link for the allies and the Germans
/ viii batter them in vain 1t is a note.
worthy fact that il was only in the
| center that the Germans were able to
make progress The right and left
flank on both of which French and
British troops stand, has held firm
This has given the German lines the
form of a sharp salient against the
/ wings of which the allied forces can
attack with excellent chances of sue
cess.
Germans claim the capture of If
teen thousand prisoners in the Aisne
drive, but whether or not these are
all prisoners OF war is not being re.
/ Yealed, Part Of them may be non
combatants caught in the tide of
struggle
1 This was the seventeen day OF the
German grand oflensiyes which was
first launched against the Amiens on
March 81 and the third day Of the
AiSne drive.
Espouse Czechs Cause.
Washington, May % The cause Of
the oppressed subject peoples Of Aus
tria4'meary was openly espoused by
the I. : sosernmen for the first t'me
today In a formal communication
= the state department dar,ited The
na'ionali,tie aspirations Of the C1echg
SloWks-Slays for freedom has the
earnest sympathy Of this government.
Praises U. s. Troops.
Washington. May 20 sreretary of
War Baker called tho correspondents.
tNe"hrr this afternoon and said tho
va" department "is rec wing constant
reports of the splendid ya!or an sue
j ltHs'ul operations OF the American
tFrops H the lighting of = petrty
The secretary had no comment 10
make on the general battle situation,
but said
Il am very proud Of the na oar
soldiers are playing Details of their
activities will bo given In General
Pershng's communique. This was the
| first nuhlip comment the Serrri lfy