Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-09
TELLS COMMONS OF
PART AMERICA PLAYS
London April 9-The outcome of the gigan-
tic battle now raging on the plains of Picardy may
be decided by American troops premier Lloyd

ternoon in a stirring adj
dress in the House Of
Commons which was prelude to the
introduction of the man-power bill
raising the military age limit. d., ~.
The issue OF the next battle might
very we'll be determined by the action
of President Wilson in placing Ameri-
can troops al the disposal OF the al,
lies. said the prime minister
1T is impossible to overestimate the
offer. he said
The position OF the allies has been
established the speaker added.
He warned the British people that
the Germans are evidently preparing
another and greater blow on the
Picardy battle front and at the same
time he told the people that they
must expect few sacrifices as a result
of the man-power proposal contained
the measure.
THE Germans have greatly exag-
gerated the number OF prisoners and
guns they claim to have captured in
the battle declared the speaker.
I'VE hold reserve guns and ammu-
nition.
The Germans have used ninety
seven divisions SO far in their at.
tacks in the great picardy battle, the
prime minister said
A German division consists OF l2OOU
bayonets and according TO the pre-.
mier's figures they have used l,l64,00O
men on the firing line since their off
ensive was launched against Amiens
on March q
lloyd-George said that the Germans
thad organized their troops so that the
greatest possible number OF divisions
could be used in the fighting.
The operations carried out by the
Germans in their effort to drive
wedge between the British and French
armies and any advance that the Teu
tons might make have been discount
ed in advance the prime minister
said
When the battle developed on the
Somme the total combatant strength
OF the German army on the western
front was about equal to the total
strength of the Entente allies. Mr.
Lloyd-George went on
Extend Battle Line.
Paris, April g,-A lull developed in
the infantry fighting on the French
section of the Picardy battle front
last night, but the Germans continued
to lombard furiously.
The French war Office announced
at noon that heavy artillery duels de
VeIoped on both sides along the front
north of Mondidier and from Montdi.
dicr to Noyon.
In according with orders advanced
French troops on the southern bank
Of the Oise withdrew to previously
prepared positions southeast of Coucy
forest. the statement added
The War in Summary.
Relaxing their direct pressure
against the allied positions east OF
Amiens the Germans have continued
to lombard along the picardy battle
front and in sectors north OF the bat
tie zone with the utmost violence.
concentrated fire is being direct
ed along the British lines between
Lens and the LaBassee canal.
On the southern side Of the salient
where the French are holding the
Ine, the Germans at extreme losses
to themselves forced the French to re.
tire slightly in the sector OF the Oise
and Aiette rivers.
The battle has swung into another
period OF stagnation so tar as the in.
Idhtry nshllng is concerned, but their
IS every indication that the Germans
are preparing for another blow. north
Of Arras which will extend the bat
tie field to- q length more than l2o
miles
Big Guns at Work.
London, Aprl, 3.-While great Ger.
man guns pounded British. French
and Portuguese positions over front
OF more than one hundred miles the
Germans have continued 60 concen.
tAte their infantry pressure against
the French east OF Roytn
Today tthe 2oth OF the German
drive against Auiens) found the Ger
mans claiming fresh gains in thal
sector
Our attack has continued the Ger
man war office stated on Monday
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