Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-04-25


After three weeks of preparation on the
Somme. during which time they launched
an offensive in Flanders, the Germans
have resumed their hammering at the
front doors of Amiens. For days there
has been heavy artillery firing along the
northern sectors of the Somme salient.
and finally the German infantry began
their attempts to advance on the line
passing Nillers- Bretonneux. Hangard
Hailes and Castel. The first attacks
were repused but subsequent attacks
centered about Villers- Bretonneux. have
caused a British withdrawal from this
village, according to a report from Field
Marshal Haig. This marks German
gain of about a mile.
Villcrs- Bretonneux is about II miles
directly east of Amiens and is on the
northern end of the latest fighting front
IT is situated between the Somme and
Luce rivers. and. while it is flanl1ed on
the south by low living ground it is
backed by rolling hills to the west and
northwest.
The fighting on the rest of the front
where tho Germans have resumed their
drive toward the allied base Of supplies
in northern France has not, SO far as
known. resulted in any notable retire.
ment on the part Of tho allies. The Ger
man official report issued on Wednesday
was silent as to events In this sector of
the front.
An attack on this particular part Of the
line in the Somme region had been ex-
pected. and IL is probable that prepara-
tions to meet II had been made. The
British lines held firm in this region
during the last days of the initial drive.
while the Germans were able to forge
n1 f,fys sl,n.. fto1. ri, sfl
the village of Castel about three miles
from the railroad running to Paris from
Amiens. Recently. French counter
offensive at Castel won back considerable
ground and it was evident that unless
, the line further north could be advanced
| materially the Germans had little chance
! to make important gains In the opera
tions to the south of Amiens.
This new drive has been made at the
| same time that another blow has beer
struck at the British and French lines
northwest of Ypres. Savage fighting is
| reported at various points along the line
from Bailleul to Merviile and Berlin claims
| that heights to the northeast Of Bailleu
have been stormed. Coincident with these
attacks there have been assaults on tho
British forces near Bethune. along the
| Lave river, but these have been re.
pulsed.
On the front in France, with the ex.
| ception of the Somme salient, there hat
been little fighting Of an unusual nature
| The situation between Germany ant
Holland is still obscure. 1t has been re.
ported that a virtual ultimatum was de.
| livered to the Netherlands government,
| by Berlin, but this is not as vet knowr
to be fact. Dispatches from The Hague
insist that Holland will not depart from
her attitude OF neutrality. An unofil.
cial report says that the Dutch minister
has left for The Hague and that the Ger
man minister has started for Berlin.
London. April 4.-Field Marshal Hail
reports that the Germans have taker
! Villers- -Bretonneux.
| The text of the statement reads:
| about $3.50 this morning, after a violen
bombardment the enemy attacked ou
whole front south Of the Somme and tn,
French on our right and was repulsed.
Later In the morning an attack OF
our positions In this sector was renewed
in strength and. although repulsed will
loss on the southern and northern posi-
tions Of the front. made progress a
illers-Bretonneux, where the fighting
has been severe throughout the day. B!
evening the enemy had gained possession
of the village. and the fight was con
tinuing.
"Other attacks by the enemy this morn