Imperial Valley press., 1914-12-29
FRANCO-BELGIAN
MOVE DEVELOPS

| Paris, Dec. 26,-The Franco Belgian
/ advance along the sand dunes of the
Belgian littoral is developing remark
atle strength.
Though the official communiQue is
sued from the war office confines 20
the bare statement that some pro
gress has been made before Nieu-
port, it is permissible to add that this
movement is the most significant of
( the operations on the left wing of the
allies.
I Upon the ability of the allies TO
maintain the commanding position
along this stretch Of the coast de
rcnds the success of the turning
movement against the right flank of
the Wurtemburgers under Grand Duke
Albrecht when the allies numerical
strength shall warrant their assump
tion Of the violent offensive designed
to clear Belgium of the invaders.
While the British ships are main
tanning a vigorous cannonading of the
coast at positions of the Germans, up
on the French and Belgian infantry
devolves the task of burrowing among
the dunes and keeping the Germans
stirred up 10y close contact to such
an extent that they will find it diff
cult to establish themselves firmly in
adequate defensive positions. This
they are doing with remarkable sue
cess.
The German resistance has been
stubborn but ineffective mainly be
cause of the thanking fire of the Brit
ish long range naval guns, which tear
into every line of works they erect
and scatter their forces while keeping
the German guns on the move,
Last nights official statement adds
that during the day the Germans at
tackled in the direction of Notre Dame
de Lorette, to the north of Lens, in
northeastern France, but the attack
was repelled, while further to the
south, near PuiSsaiene the French
troops carried a new German trench,
which they held despite repeated
counter attacks by the Germans.
In the Vosges region the statenient
adds that the invaders made a Wig
orous but unsuccessful attack OF Tete
de Faux.
Reports from the whole battle front
indicate that Christmas day was con
sidered just as good fighting day
as any other and throughout The day
heavy artillery engagements were
fought, with here and there an at
tack or counter attack by infantry
fln efforts to take or Tetake the
trenches which have been fought for
again and again in what seem to the
men in the trenches to be an endless
tattle
/ Delayed reports from the corps
commanders were passed by Gene
Joffre's adjutant general today and
issued in a statement in the after
noon.
These chronicle most important
gains by the allies to the east of the
Argonnes, while at every other point
at which the armies came IN contact
the allies either made Gains or in
tlicted upon the Germans telling losses
where the invaders attempted the
offensive.
An entire forest to the north Of
Mesnil-les- Hurlus, near the region of
Perthes, east of the Argonnc. has been
captured by the French. The Ger
mans had strongly fortified the wood
and there was desperate encounter.
IN which they were not only routed
but the French troops carried their
success beyond the woods, taking the
trenches on the eastern side.
East of Perthes' and northwest Of
Mesnil the Germans were driven from
the small sections of trenches which
they still held and the French arc
row masters Of German first line OF
defense.
On the right bank of the Meuse the
Germans attempted to drive the
French from the positions in whici
they were established in the soutf
corner Of the Forest Of Consenvoye
They directed terrific bombardment
Of the French positions, but without
result. In the Forest of ALLY, neal
Apremont, the French guns, on the
ether hand, were able to force the
Germans to evacuate a number oi
trenches
On the extreme right in the Vosge.
the French pressed forward until the,
were within l,5OO yards Of Grey Or
fIo No.nrvo