Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-02

While the advance of the German armies in Picardy has come almost to a halt, there has been savage fighting on the extreme western edge of the battle zone. Encounters in which large forces have been engaged have occurred north of Moreuil but there seems to be no decided advantage gained by the Teutonic invaders. They claim to have taken heights and to have carried a wood in advance of their line near Moreuil, but the Brit ish say that they have driven back the enemy from positions they have occupied elsewhere in this sector.
 French Lines Standing Firm.
 The French lines further south have stood firm against savage assaulta especially in the region of Montdidier and eastward of that place along a part of the line which was subjected 10 a terrific strain for two days late last week In a number of the sec- tors 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 evidently expect it there.
 Weather Handicaps Germans.
 The elements have been at work in delaying the German advance. Rains are reported along the French and British fronts. Wet weather, if con- uuued, would handicap further ad- vance of the Germans and be of in finite value to the allies, who are nov ing their forces and supplies over solid earth instead of ground which has been churned into condition where every step is beset by difficult ies.
 Teutons Aim to Reach Amiens.
 The chief German efforts apparent ly have been in the region of Moreuil and Albert. Around these places there has been stern fighting, with the Ger mans hurling their fighting men at the allied lines in serried ranks, which have been moved down by artillery machine gun and rife fire. The ef- fort in the Moreuil region is consider ed as being an attempt to reach the I'aris-Amiens railroad, which is foui or five miles distant. The railroad which was cut at Montdidier was g branch of this Paris -Amiens road but it's possession means little to the Ger. mans.
 Gsns Pershins Leading 100000 Men.
 The beginning of April, a montt whose dates are written large on the pages of American history, finds tht soldiers of the United States hasten. ing to take their place in the zone O. fiercest fighting. There have been Am. erican troops involved the struggle in Picardy since the morning of Marcf @. but General Pershing is now lead ing over 100000 of his men, just how many is as yet not known, to a poin assigned to them by General Foch, tn, leader of the allied forces in France These men may even now be in tn, battle line. and America awaits new from them with confidence that the! will compare we'll with the veteran Of France and Great Britain.
 Pershing Reports Situation Improved
 A report from General Pershing tl the war department states that tn situation along the battle line is i'm nation regarding the movement oi hi proved. He did not give any infor troops.
 It is not probable that the Germsa general stan will be content with tn situation as 1t stands today. Man believe that there is in preparatio another giant blow against Italy. Of ficial reports from Rome say tha there has been considerable activit on the Asiago plateau and along tn Piave River and that in Albania, o the eastern shore of the Adriatic, tn Austrians have been repulsed after a attack on a position held by the Ital fans.
 British Success In Mesopotamia
 British troops in Mesopotanaia hay added a new success to their recor They have progressed to a point mid way between Bagdad and Aleppo. the British can reach Aieppo and thel join forces with General Alienby army, which has been fighting il way northward through Palestine, the would be able to cut of the 1llo Arabian peninsula from the Turks an be in a position to meet any Turkis attacks from the troops of the sufta which are at present operating in tt southern littoral of the Black Sea
 The White Star liner Celtic has bee struck by a torpedo while on her wa from Europe to America. It is nt believed that she had many American on board.
 Russia RUmsnia Treaty.
 Russia and Rumania have negotia; cd a treaty of peace by which Runs mia will evacuate any occupied pol tions of Besssrabia and also strateg territory near the mouth of the Dar ube Germany has sent a protest Petrograd against the sending of Bo shevfk troops into Finland, and threa- ening that if more are sent there sf will take steps under the provision of the Brest-Litovsk treaty. Irkuts is reported to have been captured ! Teutonic prisoners of war, who ha, obtained arms and have been organ Eed by former officers.