The Oskaloosa herald., 1914-12-24
TRENCHES ARE
NOW BEING DUG
ABOUT LONDON
CITY is PREPARING FOR ANY
POSSIBLE EMERGENCY.
FRANCE is VERY OPTIMISTIC
Parliament Expected to Approve All
War Measures Before Adjourn
ment Tomorrow--Allies Con-
tinue to Make Gains.

| W@M
New York, Dec. 23.-Trenches are
being dug about London and extra.
ordinary precautions are being TAX.
en- throughout the English East
coast region in anticipation of fur
Their German raid or invasion This
information reached he United
Press today from a reliable private
source In England. The trench Dig
ging around London began two
months ago. IL was announced at
the time that this was merely prac-
| tice work for recruits. TliS pre-
tence has now been abandoned. Any
one travelling by road out of London,
! Especially north and northeast, has
ample opportunity to observe lines
of trenches that would do credit to
seasoned troops in Flanders.
German invasion Expected.
! These extend almost in an unbrok-
EN- line from Hendon on the north.
west through Potters Bar across the
Epping forest on the northeast and
thence southwark as far as the
| Thames. For two months the Ger
man invasion has been expected the
next week. German cruisers have
made raids on the English coast, but
that the actual invasion is overdue
has caused no relaxation of vigilance
Tor preparation on the part of the
British commander. 1t Is known In
London that Lord Kitchener recent
lily made personal inspection Of the
trenches.
France Is Enthusiastic.
Paris. Dec. 20. The unanimous
approval Of all government measures
(which may be submitted to parlia-
ment was assured today. AdjouTII-
ment is expected to be taken tonor-
row with all measures passed and
marked with unprecedented enthus-
Iiasm and patriotism will go down in
history. A new wave of patriotic en-
thusiasm swept over France today
The government statement read In
the house of deputies declaring the
Intention of France to fight until COM
plete victory is obtained, has aroused
the greatest patriotic fervor.
Confidence in Final Outcome.
Complete confidence is placed in
General JCffre, the supreme COM
manded of the French forces. The
announcement that he has removed
"a generals is accepted as for the
good of the service and confidence in
the offensive movement of the allies
now under way is steadily increasing.
THE attack of the British and French
troops today continued throughout
the battleline. 1t is evident however
THAT shifting of the German troops or
the arrival of German reinforcements
has resulted in the German resistance
being strengthened. At several points
THE French have been able to gain but
la few yards after fierce fighting and
heavy losses. They have held their
ground all along the line however.
Operations Along the Coast,
The operations along the coast
continue to be marked by heavy
commandments. Between Arras and
RHEIMS infantry attacks have been
Especially violent Advances by min
ing are being attempted throughout
the battle front. Extensive wire in
trenchments protecting all the Ger
man trenches give the allied troops
great trouble but at the same time a
Igroppllng hook which has been de-
vised has enabled the troops to tear
away these intrenchments.
Germany Claims Successes.
Berlin, by wireless to London. Dec.
23.-'"The French attacks in the re-
, gion of Lombartzyde and Bixscioote
were repulsed," the official state.
ment this evening says "We have
! again driven the English from posi-
tons recaptured near heichburg and
despite desperate counter attacks
we retain all positions between
Reichburg and the LaBassee canal
During December we have captured
| 1850 British and colored prisoners
. five machine guns and four mine
| ,throwers. The enemy Is showing
!. great activity in the neighborhoot
I of Chalons."
Q Kaiser on Way to Front.
Amsterdam, Dec. 23.--The kaiser
!, reached Cologne yesterday ON hi
n way to the western battle front,
i, report says today
J Allies Report Gains.
: Paris. Dec. General progress
: along the fgating front Is marke
!, by the retaking of the village 0
u Giyenchy east of Bethune and th
advance of the British and Freuc
l. In the region OF Bixschoote is repori
il ed in the bulletin today
L The statement announces gain
10 along the Belgian coast between Ia
/. sea and the road from Newport an
!. West Ende. Advances were mad
y in the region OF Stearntraw and nea
\ Bixschoote; the French and BIRTHS
= troops together captured a stretc
OF woods held by the Germans.