The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-12-23
RANCE

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service.l
PARIS, Dec. 23.-Unanimous ap.
provaI Of all government measures to
be presented to parliament Is assured
today. Adjournment 10. expected to be
taken tomorrow with all measures en-
acted and the session marked by un-
er.cedented patriotism and enthus-
iasm will pass into history.
A new wave Of patriotic enthusiasm
swept France today. The governments
statement read in the chamber Of dep-
uties by Premier viviani declaring the
intention Of France to fight until COM
plete victory 10 attained, has aroused
the greatest enthusiasm.
Complete confidence is placed IN
General Joffre, the supreme eomman-
der OF French forces. Announcement
that he has removed twenty-four gen.
eraI. was accepted as "for the good OF
the service" and confidence in the Of
fensive movement Of the allies now
under way 10 steadily increasing.
The attack OF the French and Brit
ish troops today continued Throughout
the battle line Il 10 evident, how
ever, that shifting Of German troops
or the arrival Of reinfcrcements has
resulted In the German resistance be-
Ing strengthened. At several points,
the French have been able to gain but
a few yards after extremely heavy
fighting. They have held their ground
all along the line, however. The ae-
tion along the coast continues to be
marked by heavy bombardments. Be-
tween Arras and Rheims Infantry at
taeks have been especially violent. Ad-
vances by mining are being attempted
throughout the battle front. The ex-
tensive wire enta ngIements which pro-
tect all German trenches are giving
the allied troops great trouble, but at
some points graphing hooks which
have been devised, enable the troops
"a tear away these entanglements.
TRADE CUT OFF.
PARIS, Dec. 23.-Germany and Aus
tria are to be cut of entirely from
all French trade. Commercial reta'
tions between France and her enemies
are 10 be completely severed by bill
introduced in the chamber OF deputies
today which will make trading with
Germany or Austrian subjects an Of.
fense punishable by Imprisonment or
heavy fine.
Minister Of Justice BRAND present.
ed the bill in the chamber today. II
provides for Imprisonment Of from
one TO five years and fine Of from
500 to 10000 francs against any per
son dealing commercially with sub
lects Of the republics ienemies.
OFFICIAL REPORT.
PARIS, Dec. 23.-GeneraI progress
along the fighting front, marked by
tho re-tskinq Of the village Of Civ
enehy, east Of Bethune, and the ad
vance Of the British and French in
the region Of eixschoote is reported
in the official conmunIque today.
The statement announces gains
along the Belgian coast between the
sea and the road between Nieupors
and Westende. French and British
SrO0po 1O9SIncT CoTNuVCo oNSsS''
Of woods held by the Germans.
A fog interfered with operations
In the region Of Arras yesterday, the
statement ASSERTS. East Of Amienes
Il, the Aisne and Champagne regions
there was heavy cannonadIng. Lively
combats are reported In the regiono
Of Perthes, Beausejour and La Grurie
woods In the Argonne.
The statement declares: "We made
a slight progress in Belgium be-
tween the sea and the road from
Nieuport to Westende. In the region
of Steenstrawe and Bixschoote, we
progressed, capturing wood near
sixschoote.
"East Of eethune, the French and
British troops recaptured the vii
Iaae Of Givenchy.
"A fog interfered with operations
in the region Of Arras. East OF
Amieres in the Aisne and Cham.
front;puo1 an mage oN