The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1914-12-01

Have Strong Trenches on High
Ground in Belgium
NOW ON The DEFENSIVE
Reinforcements Being Rushed to
Point Where Kaiser Will Huri His
Army to Cut Defenders Line.

Rotterdam, Dec. /. = Despite the
fact that there are yet no signs OF
German retirement in west Flanders
and northern France, into which sec
tions the invaders are pouring rein
forcements, the kaiser's troops have
thrown up what appears to be we'll
nigh impregnabie barrier all along the
present front.
The defense works erected sly
miles from Client are described as
consisting OF exceedingly strong en-
trenchments on high, ground, com
manding the highway to Brussels. Re
inforced concrete has been used for
the construction of gun bases. A line
of fortresses, the exact nature oil
which is unknown, has been built fol
miles along the crest of a range oi
hills. The guns there are said to have
a range of six miles.
News from points farther south
say the Germans are building works
of immense strength behind theil
present lines. These consist mainly OF
rank after rank of barricades and
earthworks. some in echelon, so that
if they are taken the enemy can be
subjected to enfilading fire. All are
supported by battery after battery OF
heavy guns.
The store of Germany's big cannon
is astounding. 1t seems ineXhauSti
BILE. These works can only be attack
ed successfully by guns of the might
lest caliber in the ranks of the allies
The Notifications around Journal
Courtrai and Roulers are particularly
strong.
The arrival of heavy detachments
of fresh British troops at the front in
northern France and west Flanders
:; been the signal for determined
ensive movement by the allies
iffened by territorial troops, fresh
om England, and by the French re-
rves, the allies are bringing vigor
Is pressure against the Germans
near Ypres, along the Somme river
north of the Aisne, between Valley
and Berry. au-Bac and at points in the
Argonne region and the Vosges.
Between Arras and Bethune, the
conflict has developed into a fierce
artillery duel. All the villages on this
iine have been razed or burned, and
= sss<vff 3 =;
masses of ruins.
Arras has been under artillery fire
for long time. It is point of stra
tegic Importance, being the center oi
a number of converging highways.
Between Rosieres and Peronne, the
allies have attacked some of the en-
emy's trenches, driving out the invad.
ers. These victories have been costly
however, as the attacking forces were
subjected to terrific machine gun fire
A message from ST. Omer says that
the arrival of the first contingent OF
territorials at the trenches near Ar
mentierres and Ypres was the sigma.
for a tremendous demonstration.
1t is reported from Furness, Bel
gium, that the French troops are in
creasing their pressure against the
German lines between DiXmude and
Ypres They have had to encounter
fierce artillery fire, however.
Inc lOllON tiS dic lLe OiiIldl oldlC
ments:
FRENCH.
"In Belgium the enemy is remain
ing on the defensive. The artillery fira
has been feeble, and we have made
progress at certain points. In the vi
cinity of Fay we hold securely the
positions we occupied Nov. %.
"In the region of scissors there
has been an intermittent artillery fire
directed against the town.
"In the Argonne several attacks in
the town of Dagatelle were repulsed
by our troops.
There has been a heavy fog OH
the heights o. the Meuse.
"In the Woevre district the enemy
bombarded the forest of Apremont,
but without result.
"There is nothing to report in the
Vosges."
GERMAN.
"There is nothing worthy of note in
the western theater of war"
AonefiiI