Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-12

tured the village OF lVIef-
vile and advanced their
lines at some points about
two miles.
Merville lies on the Lys river and is
about seven and a half miles from
Hazebrouck towards which point the
Germans seem now TO be driving
from the southeast.
Fighting Of great ferocity in which
huge numbers OF men and guns were
employed has continued Tor us
tance of twenty miles from La Basse
canal to the ypres-Comines canal.
The Germans concentrated their ef-
forts in the zone Immediately south
west OF Armentieres.
In the Ploegsteert district tue
Germans delivered number OF pow
erful thrusts compelling the British
II fan back about a mile and three
quarters.
The Germans attacked repeatedly
a.ong til. front and received numer'
Gus bloody checks.
Nerti oi Sestubert the British de-
liy,rcd q strong counter blow which
cent the Germans reeling from q po-
siti,r they had previously taken
sostrbert is near the southern end
OF ths bGttle zone.
The Only activity reported BY the
british war Office today from the Pic
ardy theatre of operations was the
sheling of British positions on both
l sides of the Somme by German ar
tiilery.
On the French front, especially thai
part along the southern flank OF the
Amiens salient, has continued TO bt
the scene OF violent artillery duels.
Need 100000 Army--Taft.
Albany. ~ Y. April 12.--The Unit
ed States must put an army OF from
five to seven million men fully equip
ped on the western front to win tht
war. 1t viii require two years to dc
his and probably another year tt
smash German militarism.
This was the declaration OF former
President Taft. addressing the New
York state legislature in joint ses
sion this afternoon.
The heart and minds OF everyone
/ in this country are today centered Oh
the west front" Mr. Taft declared
Upon the results seems to hang tht
fate OF the world The crisis is there
Impending the like OF which tht
world has not seen in two or three
ceturies
There William Hohen2ollern anc
the Potsdam gang are tiinging tive
million men against a Seyenty.livt
mile front brayely upheld by tht
French and English and small force
OF our boys.
Charles Offers Peace.
Washington, April l2.~-The diplo
matte side OF the world war today wa,
rampant with sensations that yet ma,
be doWned to the advantage Of th'
entente. The French premlers charge
that Emperor Charles of Austria haS
favored restoration of the French los
provinces has caused a profound sen
3ation In Germany, despite the Aus
trian emporer'S denial,
The very fact that the French pre-
mier made it plain that the assur
tnce Of the Austrian ruler was cou
aimed in an autographed letter III
dicated that France is read yto pf1
duce proof And 1t is very plain fron
information reaching official and din
lomatic sources that Berlin Is incIi1
ed to doubt the solidarity Of Germany
chief ally
10000 Germans Die.
The Hague, April L. Three hul
dred and seventy thousand German
were killed IN the first week Of thei
; offensive on the western front az
eerdng to a report printed IN a Dutc
newspaper today. Ii said that twei
y baskets, measuring 2lXl6 inches I
size full OF German soldiers ident
, iicaton disks have arrived at PEN
TglS IN Belgium, representing 27oo0
men
Fight Hard at Hangard
Paris April - Violent actiyit
was reported from the region Of lIal
gard by The French war Office toda.
The French made successful raid
- lup rouipu of Nnynn and CuunV On,