Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-28

ried his troops across the Aisne river.
to the west of the British sector and
compelled the left of our line to fall
back"
Reported by French
Paris, May 2S.-On Monday evening
the Germans succeeded in crossing
the Aishe river between Vailly and
Berry.au-Bac. the French war Office
reported today.
Reinforced by new troops the Ger
mans have crossed the Asne between
Nailly and Berryau-Bac." the official
statement said Although facing
very superior forces the French and
British are drawing back in perfect
order A serious battle is in progress
between the Aisne and Vesle, reserves
having been brought up from the rear
In the Champagne, on the Woevre
plains and ON the right bank Of the
Meuse, heavy shelling Is in progress
The War in Summary.
SO far there has been no slackcn
ing in the German pressure against
the Franco-British lines on the Aisne
river front, where the Germans launch
ed there surprise offensive on Mon
day morning but the allied lines are
/ holding intact.
There has been retirements by both
4 the French and British but they were
/ carried out in perfect order despite
the frantic efforts Of the Germans to
break through
BY a series of powerful, but costly
assaults west of the British sector the
Germans have succeeded in forcing a
crossing of the Aisen river.
New battles are developing all
along the thirty-three mile front 1t
seems, however, that the Germans are
eXerting their strongest pressure
south OF the Chemin des DANES at
the point where their battle lines lie
nearest The Aisne river.
Evidently the Germans are at
tempting a Ranking operation against
the British army, which reinforced
the French in this new theatre of
combat in the hope of separating the
allied forces
/ In view of the tremendous effort
which the Germans nave been max
/ ing ON the Aisne front there is lit
( tie doubt that the Germans intend
to carry out drive no less yigor.
ously than those launched on the Pic.
ardy and Flanders battle fronts.
Al the same time It is believed that
another great stroke is impending in
Flanders The British war office re.
ported today that there have been
renewal of local operations in the
hill country east of Lake Dickebush
The German crown prince is en-
ploying enormous numbers OF men
and is sacrificing his soldiers with
characteristic German brutality
Americans Lead Air Fight.
with the American troops IN France
May p Cdelayedl Five American
pursuit airpanes cooperating with
French planes successfully engaged
a German air squadron this after.
noon The Americans flying low drove
of attacking enemy planes and in
conjunction with the French used
their machine guns with telling st.
feet
The resumption OF the German off
: eusive was marked by increased ar.
. tillery fire and infantry activities on
alI sectors held by The American
troops
Italians Begin Offensive.
Rome. May Is The Italians have
begun an offensive against the Austro.
German armies on the southwestern
italian front
The war office announced today that
on sunday nigh the Italians broke
through The Austro.German 0ffeusives
, In the Caposile sector OF the lower
pave river to depth Of $50 yards
2, Seven officers aud l35 prisoners were
A.. taken.
a Note II Is possible that the Italians
may have beat the AustroHungarians
. to it by launching drive TO tighten
pressure against the allies on the
# western front
X Try to Raid Paris.
raris, May 2S Ten or twelve air