The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-03-29

:
Clemenceau today made a. public
declaration. that after forty eight
hours more, the allies would be in
control of the military situation on
the west. He declared that. Arniens
was we'll defended. He said it WAS
for the Germans TO break
through. i. s.s ts.s
UNITED Press, Dispatch.1
London, Eng, March 27.-Field
Marshal Haig today addressed a mes
sage to the British and French troops
that are engaged to holding back the
great German attack. He says:: I'VE
are acting at the great crisis Of the
war. The enemy has gathered all his
available strength for the purposesef
destroying the British army. he
French are supporting US nobly. The
enemy is suffering most tremendous
losses in his great drive. Much now
depends on the fortitude Of every MAJ,
engaged in this critical struggle"
Paris, France, March 27.-Only q
few French divisions are engaged in
the great fight with the Germans. This
statement was made today by sAbrami.
the French subsecretary OF war. The
bulk of the French army and the
most powerful of the British reserves
have not been engaged in the fighting.
1t appears that they are waiting for
a favorable moment to hurl them
selves upon the Teutons, taking them
at disadvantage. $500.
Amsterdam, Holland, March s27.-
The Berliner Vorwaerts says: the
enemy holds back his strongest re-
serves in the great fight, looking for
an opportunity to attack the Germans
with effect"
Fighting On the sonatne.
limited Press Dispo .ch-
London, Eng, March H.-Further
local fighting north and northeast OF
Albert was reported by General Haig
today. On the whole the situation
was unchanged. Fierce hgfiting Is
reported in the naighborhood OF
Bray and along the Somme. Heavy
attacks have forced the British a lit
tie farther back south of the Somme.
Germans Press on Albert.
limited Press Disnatch.1
London, Eng, March 27.-Dis-
patches from the battle front indicate
that the Germans are pressing hard
upon Albert. The British people are
ready to receive without discourage
ment the tidings that that city has
fallen, and that the Germans are
pushing on towards Amiens.
Paris, France, March Enfeeb-
led by the heavy losses and by sheer
exhaustion, the great German drive
seemed yesterday and last night about
to have come to a halt.
Claims Americans Were Repuised.
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.J
Amsterdam, March 27.--The Amer
lean troops took part in counter at
tacks against the German front near
Lafere, writes the correspondent OF
The Berlin Vorwaerts These at
tacks," he says, Gin which the Amer
ican troops participated, were re-
pulsed" f@
Comment on the Americans.
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.l
Amsterdam, March THE part
played by the Americans In the at
tempted relief of the British flank
near Lafere was covered briefly, by
the German correspondents, but no
mention was made of American pris-
oners. One paper, says the Americans
got "a severe lesson" which is "espe-
cially gratifying" Another says that
undoubtedly the bravery Of the Amer
leans proved no match for the German
spirit" -
Statement BY General Maurice.
TINTED Press Dispatch, H. 4 II /,
London, Eng, March 27.--General
Maurice, director of military opera-
| tions. announced today that the towns
| of Mericourt and Soilly had been
taken from the British by the Ger
mans. .IsS s. 81 isl7!-
North of the Somme, the German
advance seems stopped, but south q
the Somme it is still progression.
Time is great factor on the side
of the allies. Time is wanted to rush
the reinforcements to the part Of the
front where the drive is ttakine
/ place.
One great advantage possessed b.
/ the allies is their comparative near
ness to their bases Of supplies. while
the Teutons are correspondence far.
Their from theirs. I.
Allies to Come Back Hard.
/ limited Press Cjsratch.I
Washington, March 27.--lt Is be-
lieved here that the allies are abou
to throw into the great battle on Thu