Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-16
SAYS way IS STILL
OPEN FOR ARM|STICE
London, May I6.I If any belligerent repre-
sentative desires seriously to put forward peace
proposals they would be dealt with in full conf


dence by t h e allies,
f oreign Minister Balfour
announced in the House
IF Commons today during debate
upon the peace letter which Emperor
Charles, of Austria. sent to Prince
SiXtus, more than year ago
Former Premier Asquth lauded Mr.
Baltour's opportune statement, say
ing it was to the satisfaction to the
world at large that the British had
not closed the door TO any overtures
toward an honorable peace
He added that there had been not
should there be any contraction nor
extension OF the allies war aims aud
purposes
The War in Summary.
An artillery battle was blazing over
approximately 200 miles of the ives.
tern front today from the North Sea
To the Southern reaches OF the Pic.
ardy lighting zone
Hindenburg. however. continues 10
hold his German hordes in the leash
and the only infantry operations that
We're reported We're small and unim
pOrtant
Amsterdam reports that Belgium Is
newal Of the offensive Troops con.
tinue TO arrive in Belgium from Ron.
mania and the Belgium hospitals are
being vacated in preparations for the
fresh numbers of wounded that will
inevitably fill them when the great
battle is resumed
The Germans are reported TO be
concentrating their entire fleet al
Kiel, which increased the probability
that sea offensive may he launch.
ed simultaneously with The renewal
of the grand assault Oh land
oocne MogulS Are mum.
The Hague May IA The German
Chancellor and the German foreign
minister have arrived at Berlin from
German Great Headquarters They
are refusing to see leaders of the
Reichstag, despite the insistent de
mand for information. concerning
Russia, Austro-German relations and
the western offensive,
King Sees w. S. Laborites.
London May lG. Members of the
American labor mission now in Fur
ope were received in audience by
King George and Queen Mary at
buckingham palace today
In addressing the Americans and
after referring to the opportunities
given to see Great Britains great war
efforts, King George said
81 hope these experiences will Gu
able You to assure the people of the
United States that we are doing and
mean to continue TO do our utmost
Claims Trieste Port.
Milan, May IL The German gov.
ernment il now claiming access to the
Austro.EIungaran ports of Trieste
and the right TO establish ~ naval
school there III order to prevent the
sport from becoming slave trade cen
ter
Boys t6 are Next.
Amsterdam May lG Germany Will
begin to draft boys OF sixteen in the
army in October according to a news.
paper here today
Oemobilize Roumanan Army.
London, May Is The R0umanian
army viii soon be demobil2ed. &c.
cording TO a dispatch from Jassy
The Roumanian parliament has beeu
dissolved the dispatch added
Food Situation Keen.
Hene May l6 The food situation
IN Austria is desperate Dispatches
: from German sources Indicate that
part of Austria inhabited chiefly by
persons Of German blood /. now be.
r ginning critical three months from
z food standpoint
. 1t Is generally reai1ej chat UNainia
4 viii be unable 90 supply the needs oi
1 the CeutroI empires
y Throughout both empires the poor
are cmsing the pru.sian mtiltarists
who use Austrian food discomfort as
an opportunity to "di>emember the
Hap,burs empire
, Yanks Worry serln.
Paris May Is The steady arfiva'
Of American troops IN France is caus
s jug great uueasiuess IN Germany
Il Following the admission IN the Berlin
l. Reichstdg that Il Is not known nov
+ many troops the Americas have IL
II Europe military critic Of q Berth
e newspaper says that America may
( yer play the most important part IN
the great battle