The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-02

driven back the enemy from pr
The French lines farther
south have stood firm against
savage assault, especially in
the region of Montdidier and
eastward of that place along a
part of the line which was sub
iected to terrific strain for
two days last week. In a
number of sectors the French
have surged forward and taken
hard-earned ground from the
Germans and have established
their line solidly along the Disc
river. The expected allied
counter offensive has not yet
come, but the Germans, who
are reported to be entrenching
along the French front, evil
IDENTIFY expect it there.
The elements have been at work
in delaying the German advance. Rains
are reported along the French and
British fronts. Wet weather, IL con-
tiuued, would handicap further adj
vance of the Germans and be of i'm
finite value to the allies, who are NOV
ing their forces and supplies over solid
earth instead of ground which has
been churned into a condition where
every step is beset by difficulties.
The chief German efforts APP
parently have been In the region
of MoreuiI and Albert. Around
these places there has been stern
fighting, with the Germans huri-
ing their fighting men at the al
lied lines in serried ranks. which
have been moved down by artil-
lery. machine gun and rifle fire.
The effort in the MoreuiI region
is considered as being an attempt
to reach the Paris-Amiens railroad
which is four or five miles distant.
The railroad which was cut Mt
Montdidier was branch of this
Paris-Amiens road, but its posi-
session means little to the Ger
mans.
The beginning Of April, month
whose dates are written large on
The pages Of American history.
finds the soldiers of the United
states fastening to take their
places in the fighting zone. There
have been American troops in
Waived in the struggle in Picardy
since the morning of March 23.
hut General PershinE now is lead
inr more than 100000. OF. his men,
Int lust how many is yet not
known. to a point assigned to them
by General Foch, the leader of
the allied forces in France. These
men may even now be in the bat
tie line, and America awaits news
from them with confidence that
they will compare well with the
veterans Of France and Great
britain.
4 report from General Pershirg
IL the war department states that
the situation along the battle line
Is improved. He did not give any
information regarding the move
ment of his troops.
1t is now probable that the
German EeneTdI
tent with the sit~ation as
stands today. Many believe that
there Is in preparation another
giant blow against Italy. Official
reports from Rome shy that there
has been considerable activity on
the Asiago plateau and along the
Piave river, and that i'm Albania
ON the eastern shore of the Adri-
attic. the Austrians have been re-
pulsed after an attack on po-
siti0n held by the Italians.
British troops In MesOpOtnmfn
have added a new success to their
record. They have progressed to n
point midway between Bagdad and
Aleppo. III these British troops
rcnch Aleppo and there join forces
with General Allenby's army. which
has been fighting it's way north
ward through Palestine. they
would be able to cut off the whole
Arabian peninsula from the Turks
and be In position TO meet any
TuFkish attacks from the troops
of the sultan, which are Mt pres
emit operating In the southern lit
toral OF the Black sea.
The white Star Liner Celtic has
been strpck by torpedo while an
her wayt from Europe to America.
1t IL ndt believed that she had
many Americans ON board.
Russia and Rumania have ne
gotiated u peace by whieA Ru-
manila will evacuate amy occupied
portions az Bessarabin and also
strategic Nerritory near the mouth
of the Danube. Germany has sent
. protest ia Petrograd against the
sending Of Nbolshevik troops into
Finland. and threatening that II
more are sent there she Will take
steps under Eske provisions of the
Brest- Lit realty. IrkutAk IL
reported n# been captured by
z; ! : : : : :
TeutO3 4$ |rs Of war, WIN
have vIms and have been