South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-11-13
French Statement is Optimistic.
Claiming Advance Through
Fog-KaiSer'S Men RepuISed
in SOrtie at User Canal.
BATTLE FOR TWO DAYS
AND NIGHTS IN STORM
Fierce Gale Driving in From
North Sea Increases Suffer
ing Among Men in Trenches
Germans in New Attacks.

PARIS Nov. 12-The official
French statement ssued here This art
ernoon was highly epuSmistic. Il
stated that the German attempts 10
cross the User canal by 90 s3rtic west
of Dixmude and az other points had
been repulsed. I'm general it de-
clared that the lines of the allies had
been maintained unchanged The off
cial statement follows.
From the sea To the river Iys tine
conflict presents character of vio-
lence less than ou preceding days.
Numerous efforts by the Germans to
cross the User hy sortie west of
DiXmude and AT other points OF pas
sage above there have been checked
Generally speaking. our positions
have been maintained without charge.
To me north. to the east and %
the south OF Ypres the attacks OF the
enemy have been repulsed. AT tnp
end of the day. at different points or
our line and that of the British army
from the region 10 the east OF Armen-
there's TO the Oise. there have been
cannonading and minor actions.
Progress Through Fog.
I'm the course OF the last few days
Of fog. our troops have not ceased 10
progress little 10y little They arc es-
laNltNiltN NAllAOol ~ tlA " mere at AAlN~
tances ranging from so TO 800 meters
from the wire acknowledgements of the
enemy.
North of the Aisne we have taken
Tracy-Le-Nal With the exception OF
the cemetery 70 the northeast OF thai
village. We have advanced slightly
to the east OF Mont and O.
the southeast OF Nauvron; likewise
between Crouy and Nregny. To the
northeast OF scissors a counter at
tack 10y the Germans against those OF
our troops who have recapiured
Chavonne and SOupir, has been re-
pulsed.
Similar failures have been incur
red by the Germans in the envirOns
OF Berry -Au-BaC. In the Argonne
there has been a violent artillery duel.
We have made some minor progress
around 81. Mihiel and in the region
Of POnt-A- MOusson.
a surprise attack by our troops
against the village OF Nal-Et-Chatil-
lon. near Cirrey on the NezoUs, per
mitted the capture of a detachment
OF the enemy
a German attack on the heights
OF the pass Of ste Marie has been re-
pulsed. 1t is reported that snow has
! begun to fall on the heights of the
Nosges."
right III Great storm
For two days and two nights the
great armies of the allies and the Ger
mans that are gripping at each others
throats in northern France and west
Flanders have been fighting in a
storm that swept in from the North
sea
Sleet and rain have been driven in
TO the faces OF the opposing troops
as they crOuched in their cold. mud
dy trenches and a biting wind lashed
their faces as they charged or stood
in battle formation 10 break the
enemy's charges.
The weather is much colder and
the hard rains have partly nlled some
of the trenches. The inclement wealth
or is causing great suffering among
the troops and is responsible for ana
increase Of sickness in the ranks Or
both armies It has brought in
credible suffering 10 the wounded.
who still lie uncared for between the
lines.
The French. British and Belgian
troops that have been trying 10 night
their way eastward along the coast ia
order 20 envelOp the right wing Of
the Germans on the Ostend- -Dixniude-
Ypres line. got the fun force Of the
storm. In addition To the physical
suffering the rough weather removed
the protection OF the British and
French warships lying of the Belgian
coast Tor the sea was running SO high
that the gunners on board the ships
could not aim their guns accurately.
Deliver New Attacks
The Germans taking advantage ~
the lull in the fire from the ships and
the storm and its accompanying FOX.
rallied for series OF stiff attacks
which they delivered amOns the sand
dunes around Ostend.
II was reported that the allies SUBJ
sequently delivered "A series OF couu-
ter attacks which carried them clean
through 60 Ostend, but there is n1
Official confirmation on this opera
! tiOn. Consequently it must Dee accept
ed with reser~e until the government
confirms IL.
Both sides are claiming success in
west Flanders and on the Armen-
/ tieres-Labassee-Ar lire. but tbs
fact is that the principal lines remain
I practically unchanged. At some
points the British and French have
advanced; at others have been COM
! PEELED 70 retire a short distance. Al
points where retirements were neces-
sary they were invariably brought
about by the effective artillery fle 90
the Germans.
Artillery Works i'm Relay.
The Germans are WORKING their ar-
tillery forces in relays so that the big
guns may be kept thundering uiEht
and day. They never give the Yics
] especially the British. n respite.
Since the weather has become So
| severe the airmen on both sides have
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