Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-08-23
FRENCH CLOSE IN ON
BAPAuME, A HUN KEY
General Foch has driven his spearhead several
miles further in his efforts to split the armies of
the German crown prince and General Won

NAAoAAANAoA ~
ports from the battle
front north of Scissors today said
that yesterday General Manoin's ad.
vance reached six and one-quarter
miles at one place.
The French war office reports that
French troops have reached the Aisl.
ette river at Duny London hears
that the French troops have advanc.
ed in such rapid fashion that the war
office has been unable to keep track
of their many movements.
The fall of Noyon, the great Ger.
man base and key position to the
northwest of scissors, seems immi-
nent.
French troops according to advice
reaching London have reached Pont
le Eveque, just one mile due south OF
Noyon The Echo de Paris says that
the Germans already are evacuating
the city.
This newspaper also declares that
in the past four days the armies OF
General Mangin and Gen. Humbert
have taken tifty-two villages from the
Germans.
While the French are driving ahead
on the southern part of the battle
front the British continue to hammer
north on both sides of the Somme
the Germans lines farther to the
river.
The capture of Albert by the Brit.
ish officially announced last night,
marks another important step in the
breaking up of the German line of
resistance.
The reports of the British war of.
flee said the fighting was going on all
the way from Liahons, below the
Somme to the Cojeul river, south
of Arras
Haig's men are still advancing ev-
en- tho the German resistance has
grown much sitter.
Advance on Bapaume.
With the British Army in France,
August 23,--General Byng's troops are
now within less than 5000 yards Of
the great German base of Bapaume.
British troops sweeping on passed
the Arras railhead have captured four
more villages, according to reports
coming back TO headquarters.
A thousands prisoners were cap
tured,
Use 55 Divisions.
London, August 23.-The Germans
s in an effort to stop the allies, it
have used 55 divisions since August
was learned on reliable authority this
afternoon.
Guard Called to Help,
With the American Army on the
Aisne-Vesle front, August 24.--The
fourth Prussian guard has been with
drawn from opposite the Americans
on the Vesle river and sent to help
the hard pressed Germans north Of
Soissons according to information OBJ
tanned from German prisoners, taken
in raids Yesterday by Americans.
Refuse Spanish Terms,
Madrid. August 25.--The newspa.
per FL Lezerele says that 1t has
learned that Germany will declare as
unacceptable the Spanish note in
which the Spanish government in.
formed Berlin tnat Spain will seize
interned German ships for every
Spanish ship torpedoed.
Yank FIers Raid Railways.
Washington, Aug. 23--Ameriean
aYiators continue to conduct success
tu air raids on railroad yards be.
hind the enemy line, Gen Pershlng
reports In his communique made pub.
lie by the war department today.
Fiers Bomb Frankfort.
London, Aug. 23,--Many towns in
Germany including Frankfort and Co.
logne have been heavily bombed in
the past two or three days by allied
ayiators it was officially announced
In addition several German motor.
by the British admiratr
dromes were attacked and heavily
damaged
Tanker is Sunk.
An Atlantic Port, August 2S-The
American tanker Diomed has been
sunk by the German submarine OPP
Grating of the Atlantic coast.
This word was brought here today
by one hundred and four members
/ OF the crew OF the vessel. who ar.
/ rived today on board another British
tank ship According to the survivors
the Diomed vas sunk three hundred
milps off Nanfupkpt