Evening star., 1914-12-29
cRIPPLES RIGHT WING
OF THE OPPOSING ARMY
Called Another Surprising Reversal
OF Form on Part of Francis
Joseph's Troops. 4
BERLIN'S VIEW IS HOPEFUL
Offensive of Allies in Western
Theatel Of War Declared to Have
Been Checked at Every
Point of Line.

LONDON, December 20, I1:53
a.m.-British observers of the
progress of the war point this
morning to the admission in Aus
trian official announcements that
Russia once more is master of the
passes in the Carpathian noun
tains, and that the troops along
the entire Austrian front from the
Biala river to a point northeast
of the Dukla pass seem to be fall
ing back.
This means the withdrawal of
virtually all the forces which
swept across the mountains to
form the extreme right in the
concerted Austro-German attack
on the Russian armies, and it
marks another surprising reversal
of form on the part of the Aus
trian soldiers, whose battle for
tunes since the outbreak of hos
tilities have been conspicuously
cratic.
Only Slight Gains Made.
Elsewhere, in the eastern arena Of
the war little change has been record
ed, while on the western front the
slow and tedious trench warfare goes
on uninterrupted. with only slight
gains on either side.
The British press comedies the inn
portance of the trenches near Holle-
beke, south of Ypres. which have been
taken by the Germans, and points out
that the strategic value of these po-
sitions has been emphasized recently
in a dispatch from Sir John French.
COMMUNICATIVE chief of the British
forces on the continent. They COM
mand an important crossing of the
river Lys, to which the Germans have
been holding tenaciously. The taking
of these trenches gives them stronger
foothold.
French and German Claims.
The French official statement on the
progress of the war, given out In Parls
this afternoon, refers to comparatively
minor French successes. and mentions
Violent bombardment of certain French
positions by German artillery. The French
have occupied a village in Belgium; they
have gained ground in the Argonne. and
they are investing Steinbach, in upper
Alsace.
The German official statement given
odt in Berlin today says the German at
tacks in Poland have made progress. and
that Russian advances have been re-
pulsed.
In the west the Germans claims gains
near Nieuport and Ypres they defeated
the French not far from St. Menshould.
captured a trench west of Apremont and
repelled attacks elsewhere
Berlin Gains Confidence.
BERLIN, December % (by wireless).
Among the items given out for pubh-
cation by the official press bureau are
the following:
discussions of military happenings
around Christmas indicate that the
feeling of confidence has gained sup
port here. Gen. Joffre's energetic Of
fensive, as announced in an army or
der of December II. it is pointed out
has everywhere been successfully re-
sisted. and the defeat of the English al
Festhubert leaves the allies in worse
shape than when the French offensive
started.
Poland, where the position of the Ger
mans and Austrians is regarded as
There is feeling here that
important developments are probable in
Poland within a few days. While the
outlook in the Bzura and Rawka sec
ton is satisfactory, it is believed the
most promising point is southeast OF
Tomaszow.
"a Turkish official bulletin reports
victorious progress on the Caucasian
front without specifying the operations
turkey also officially declares that
last week there was no bombardment
of the Dardanelles.
Furious Bayonet Assault.
ARRAS, Northern France, Sunday,
December 27, via Paris, December 20
That portion of the French army which
is holding the lines near Arras today
attacked the Germans on front
twelve miles long. They carried half
mile of German trenches near Lens by
a assault, and tonight they are holding
these positions in force. The way for
this attack was prepared by violent
swept the German positions from a
point to the north of Lens to the
suburbs south of Arras. The German
batteries everywhere replied heavily
20 this French fire.
While the Germans were thus en-
xaged along the entire line of this
oart of their defense works. the
french fire opposite Lens suddenly
leased. Instantly French infantry
men ieaped from their trenches and
.hareed the German positions. which
we're from 100 to 200 yards distant.
,rief and furious bayonet encounter
brought victory to the French The
Germans were routed: the French took
,ome prisoners and occupied the Ger
nan diggings.
It was all over in twenty minutes.
rhe artillery fire on both sides died
lown and a Sabbath-like silence fell
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