The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-12-25
MOST FURIOUS ENCOUNTERS ARE
OCCURRING JUST NORTH OF
ARRAS, SOUTH TO RE-
GioN OF NoYoN.
APPRECIABLE PROGRESS
Is REPORTED BY FRENCH
German Trenches Between Nouiettes
and Souches to Southwest of Loos
Are Occupied by Soldiers Of the
RepubIic-Arras Again 10
Under Bombardment.

Paris, Dec. 23-Northern France is
the storm center of the great battle on
the western front. Though the allies
continue their activities from Newport
to the south of Ypres In Belgium, the
most furious encounters are occurring
In the district from a point just north
of Arras, south to the region of Noyon
where the French with their allies, the
British and the Indian contingents
are again at grips with Generals Won
Kluck and Won Buelow.
French Advance Against Lens.
Appreciate progress is reported by
the French war Office which declares
that the most desperate efforts of the
Germans to regain their lost positions
resulted in failure. In their advance
upon Lens the French have arrived at
within five miles of that town on the
west and within two and one-half
miles on the northwest by a series of
drives against the Bavarians under
Crown Prince Rupprecht.
Occupy German Trenches.
The French occupied the forest near
the road between Noulettes and Sou
ches and captured all the first line
German trenches between this high
way and Notre Dame de Lorette, to
the southwest of Loos, which is north
west of Lens.
British troops attacking with great
dash and vigor retook most of the
trenches they lost in the fighting be-
tore Lihons, southwest of Peronne.
Four successive attacks of the Ger
mans in an attempt to recapture
trenches previously taken by the allies
in this region were repulsed.
Arras is again under bombardment
oy the German guns, but the reply of
The French batteries has perceptibly
weakened the attack. Several of the
German guns have been silenced.
Big Guns Are Effective.
North of Carney, five miles to the
east Of Albert, the French guns over
whelmed the invaders batteries on
several occasions, delivering such an
accurate cannonade against their gun
positions that the batteries a number
If times were forced out of the ac-
ton. Near HON, southeast of Carney,
two of the enemy's cannon were
smashed and long section of the Ger
man trenches was demolished.
The latest official statement tells
Of the most successful movement the
French have been able to carry out
against General Won Kluck's resist
ance. To the northwest of Puiseliere,
south OF Noyon, by mining and sap
ping, they reached the approaches Of
the first line of trenches and by a
brilliant attack gained foothold in
:hese defensive works Of the enemy. In
the st. Mard wood the French also
made notable gains.
Defensive Is Desperate.
In Belgium the Franco-Belgian forces
continue to make slight gains against
the desperate defensive of the "Wurt-
temburgers" around Lombaertzyde, st.
Georges, Bixschoote and to the south
Of Zillebeke.
Unofficial reports describe furious
artillery fighting for the possession. of
Roulers, but as yet the British have
not been able to gain a foothold in
the town. according to the most re-
liable information obtainable here.
The most startling gains recorded
In the official reports of the day were
made in the Champagne country and
in the region of Varennes. Northeast
Of Beausejour, in the Champagne re-
gion, the French took 1850 yards of
the enemy's trenches and made ap-
preciable gains in the region of Prones
and Ferthes. Four mined saps dug
by the Germans were blown up in the
forest of La Grurie and the French
advanced and occupied the positions
the Germans were forced to quit.
An advance of 500 yards beyond
the Brook of Chephes in the district
between Gercourt and Bethincourt,
near Varennes, is reported from the
right.
On the right bank Of the Meuse
some ground has been gained by the
French at Lacroupe, about a mile and
q quarter northwest of Brabant