Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-16
FRENCH GO AHEAD
NORTH OF KENNEL
AND NEAR HA|LLES
American Aviators Shoot
Down Three German
Planes Near TouI.
NO MAJOR OPERATIONS
REPORTED FROM FRONT
Enemy Artillery Continues a
Heavy Bombardment of Posi-
tons on Allied Lines.
WAR CROSSES FOR OUR FLYERS
Alliance Between Austria. Hungary
and Germany Strengthened by
Conference of Emperors.

"1S'ii di'otiitl udy mas passed without
thc Germans renewing their offensive
IN ianders or Picardy. Nowhere have
tne infantry operations by either side on
these battle fronts, or. for that matter.
III any OF the numerous theatcrs OF the
war. risen in Importance above patrol
engagements.
North of KENNEL, where the Germans
on Tuesday gained footing on Hill
~. one of the bloodicst sectors on the u
western front. the lost vantage points
have been retrieved through the per-
sistent counterattacks of the French
who succeeded in cxpcllinE the enemy
from the shell holes along the slopes
to which he had been consciously hold
ing. Not alone were the Germans
forced to rccedc. but the French ad-
vanced their line and also took prison
crs.
Likewise south OF lIaillcs In the
Amiens region. the French have taken
another bite into the German line and
successfully warded off German couu-
tcrattack launched in an cndcavor to
reca pturo tho lost ground. Tho Ger
mans in these mancuvcrs suffered cas-
ualtics and also lost men made prison
ers. Throughout Wednesday, the British
were left sevcrly alone by the German
infantry.
ENEMY CONTINUES TO a
SHELL. ALLIED POSITIONS
Although the enemy is Keeping his
infantry 10 their trenches. hc continues
to use his artillery vigorously against
salient positions held by tho British
and French along the front especially
against Field MarshaI Haig's front
south of Albert and against the French
north of KENNEL The French north
OF Montdidier and along the curve in
the battle front between Montdidier and
Noyon have been under IN intensive
fire from the German guns.
American aviators on tho battle front
IL the Tou sector are continuing TO
perform notable deeds OF bravery IN
the air against tho enemy nycrs We'd
ncsday Witnessed three additional
planes in this region brought to earth
by American airmcn--.all OF them haV-
ing been shot down. The French. in
recognition of the bravery of the Amer
leans in the aerial combats, decorated
five of them with the French War Cross.
The meeting between the German
ana huStTlau IsUlp'I d. .ticliudtN
headquarters seemingly has been pro-
ductivc of strengthening OF tho re-
lations between Germany and the du;,l
monarchy. which, ii had been rcpcri-
cd unof'iciaily. were somewhat strain
cd. After parting. Emperor William
and Emperor Charles exchanged mes
sages of fclicitation over the accord
arrived at III their discussions and cx-
pressivc OF deep mutual friendship. IL
is asserted that the Emperors not only
reached an agreement on the solution
OF the question of eastern border states,
but that they also selected monarchs
for I.ithuania, Courland. Esthona and
Poland
GUNS OF ALLIES HARASs -
REAR LINES OF ENEMY
The Paris correspondent of the Ip-
terrational News Service sums up re-
liable advices from the British and
French front as indicating that the
allies are now deluging the German
positions and rear communication with
an unprecedented shellfre. The aver
age in this tornado of hot metal Il
fifteen shells 10 one German. All or
tho enemy's roads and cross roads and
villages are smothered with shells day
and night The rear OF the allied cam
mon Is ilcdIu loTtS iulicS DenlHu tn6
front.
German troops concentrations are
continually cut up. the enemy thus
losing heavily before he can even throw
his masses into n new lifc-devourinE
assault. Meanwhile. the allied aircraft
are not losing a moment in harassing
the foe and scattering death and de-
struction behind his lines. French and
british flyers arc dumping tons OF high
explosive projecti!es every hour of the
day and night. Al. This intense and
effective work OF destruction seems
to give the German troops q punch
in the jaw before the bis fight starts.
GREAT MASsING OF
AUSTRIAN TROOPS REPORTED
\ Reuter- dispatch from Rome re-
ports 4 great massing OF Austrian
troops and artillery along the Alpjne
line. and particularly In tho Fruit
plains. Tho Austrians. says the die
patch. are trying to conceal their move
ments. which are undertaken mostly B
at nisht-time. Austrian aIrmcn ass