South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-12-03
Dyke Cutting Operations Re-
Sumed in West Flanders
French Make Slight Advance
in the ArgOnne.
GERMANS ADVANCE WITH
AID OF HEAVY GUNS
Fire of Gigantic HowitzerS En-
abIeS KaiSer'S Men to Pro-
greSS Near Dixmude-AIlieS
Rush ReinforCementS.

PARIS. Dec. 3.-Vigorous cannon
ades mark the fighting between the
allies and Germans in the northern
sphere, according to- the official state
ment Of the French war office this
afternoon. The allies have resumed
dyke cutting operations in West Elan
ders and the floods now extend south
of Dixmude.
The French have made a slight ad-
vance in the Argonne where attacks
OF the Germans have been repulsed.
The official communique follows:
In Belgium, a rather vigorous
cannonade has been directed against
NieupOrt and to the south Of Ypres.
The inundation Of the country eX-
tends now 10 the south OF Dixmude.
Between the Lys and the Somme
the village of AK Noulette, TO the
west of Lens, has been violently bonn
barded.
"CaIm prevails all along the front
from the Somme to the Aisne and in
the champagne region.
In the ArgOnne we have repulsed
several attacks OF the enemy and we
have made some slight gains.
In the Woevre region the German
artillery has shown some activity, but
with only insignificant results
"In Lorraine and in the VOsges
noted"
Germans Regain FOOthOld.
AS the result OF a heavy lombard
ment with new heavy guns recently
rushed TO the West Flanders front,
the Germans have been able to make
some progress at Dixmude. There is
ground for the belief that the in
vaders have regained their foOthOld
in the western bank of the User at this
point. Fresh British troops are being
rushed to reinforce the allies line west
Of Dixmude particularly in the re-
giOn OF Lampernisse which is under
a terrific artillery fire from the gi-
gantic German hOwitZer.
(NOte-SeVeral days ago an unOffi-
Cial report from the north stated that
the Germans were falling back from
Dixmude but this is flatly contra
dicted in the official war office bulletin
issued just before midnight Part of
the official announcement says)
I'm Belgium a violent lombard
nient OF Lampernisse to the west of
Dixmude has taken place"
Lampernisse is about four miles
being shelled shows that the allies
have fallen back 10 that point from
the outskirts OF Dixmude.
French Directs Troops.
IL IS reported that the fighting in
West Flanders has assumed such a
+ n
John French, -in-chief of
the British expeditionary forces, has
been sent there 10 take command in
person.
Never in the history of warfare has
there been maSsed along battle front
such masses of powerful artillery as
the Germans have concentrated there
To support their lines from Ostend 10
the French border. 1t Is estimated
that there are at least 1900 Ger
man soldiers holding the line from
Ostend 20 NpreS
Every section Of the 3lO-mile battle
lire now presents a scene OF activity.
At some points infantry are engaged
in attack and counter attacks. and at
others the hghtinE is being carried
on by artillery alone Every devel-
opment still supports the theory that
the allies are in the Grst stages of a
general offensive movement Their
attacks all along the line enable them
20 determine the weak places and to
ascertain 10 what extent certain posi-
tion5 have been strengthened.
Deadlock Develops.
A deadlock has developed in the
Woevre district. Both sides held
strong positions there. At some
points the trenches are only 80 10 40
yards apart
Along the Aisne the French. Brit
ish and Turcos are making heGvy sac
riflces 10 dislodge the Germans from
some Of the positions they have occu-
pied since the great battle began 50
days ago.
From Arras 20 Armenteries the
Germans never give the French and
British a moments rest. When the
allies trenches are not being shened
the Germans are making infantry at
tacks
Reports from the north that King
George has visited some of the
trenches were read with keen interest
here The king Is taking a deep per
sonal interest in the affairs of the
English soldiers There is curious
story told of his interview with
wounded German soldier. The king
expressed pity that such a fine speci-
men Of manhood should Doe fated to|
go through life maimed from wounds
received ln battle The soldier looked
I'D from his cot and murmured
weakly
"Ah sir. the specimen here Is mo-
finer than those we are dehting ir
the English trenches"
The herceness OF the lighting in the