Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-10

Fifth Army and it's failure to hold the line of the Somme are explained-it would be unfair to cenSure the gen. eral in command of the army, Gen eral Cough. But until those circum- stances are cleared up it is necessary to recall him.
 After the retirement of the Fifth Army the French reserves came up with remarkable rapidity What be- tween the efforts of our soldiers and the loyal assistance given in true spirit of comradeship by the French army, the position is for the moment stabilized. But it is clear that the Germans having gained an initial sue cess, are preparing another and per haps an even greater attack on the allied armies.
 Foe Obtained Initial Success.
 up to the present the enemy has undoubtedly obtained a great initial success. But he has failed so far in his main objects. He failed to capture
 Amiens. He failed to separate the
 French and British armies. But we. lschould be guilty of great, it might
 be fatal. error if we were to under-es-
 innate the gravity of the prospect.
 "The enemy has captured valuable
 ground, which is too near Amienss for lcomfort or security, and he has sue ceeded for the time being in crippling
 one of our great armies.
 "The cabinet took every step to flur-
 " up reinforcements in order to fill
 up the gap in our armies. No such large numbers of men ever passed
 across the channel in so short a time
 Sent Boys of 1e to France.
 There was an understanding that
 boys under nineteen years would only
 be used in case of emergency. We
 felt that the emergency had arisen.
 and insofar as those who were over
 eighteen were concerned, those who
 had already received six months
 training, we felt that it was necessary : they be sent to France. ' "As to the guns and machines which were lost, the numbers were grossly 7 exaggerated by the enemy. I am as- } sured that they have also exaggerated very considerably the number of pris- oners they have taken.
 'I am very glad to be able to say . that the ministry of munitions were ) able not merely to replace those guns } and machine guns. but that they still have got a very substantial reserve. } The same thing applies to ammuni- ton.
 Aircraft Growing in Strength. NOur aircraft strength is greater l nav than before the battle. and we 1 all know what brilliant service our l airmen rendered in this battle. ''The next step to which I would } like to call the attention of the house is the material and dramatic assist
 anee rendered by President Wilson in ' this emergency-one of the most i'm 5 portant decisions in the war In fact, f the issue of the battle might be very l we'll determined by this decision.
 Expects Large American Army. "Tn America there is a very con- siderable number of men in the course , of training and the allies looked for ward to having large American army . in France in the spring. For many reasons, however, it was quite i'm , possible to put into France the num- Der of divisions every one had conf
 dently expected would be there. Under
 the circumstances, we, therefore. sub . mitted proposals to President Wilson l with the strong support of Premier 3 Clemenceau, to enable the combatani ! strength of the American army to come . into action during this battle. inas- : much as there was no hope of it com- ing in as a strong separate army. By e thist decision American battalions will . be brigaded with those of the allies
 President Wilson assented to the pro. e (cortinued on Page Five.)