Evening star., 1914-12-27
Siege of Metz Begins

Siege of Metz Begins
The French have moved their artil-
lery up close to Metz and the siege OF
that important fortress has begun, ac-
cording to correspondent of the
Times, who says the French have car
ried the forest of La Pretre to the
northwest of Pont-a-Mousson. The
bombardment Of Metz is said to have
begun.
e. The Germans have held the forest
OF La Pretre for months, but official
statements for some time have indi-
Gated French gains there. From this
vantage the French now very serious
ly threaten the long angle dropping
down to st. Mihiel held by the Ba-
varian troops.
Germans In Fierce Counter Attacks.
Fog has interfered with the battles
In Flanders, but along the French
front the Germans have been deliver
ing fierce counter attacks In an effort
to throw Off the pressure which the
allies are exerting. In these, as in the
attacks Of the allies which preceded
them.. the losses on both sides have
been considerable. but, naturally,
heavier on the side which has been at
tacking.
The slowness of the allies progress
IS explained in London as being due to the
refusal Of the general staff to sacri-
flee great number of soldiers. II
is satisfied with gaining series OF
small successes by means of artillery
practice, which in time, it is pointed
out, should prepare the way for a gen.
eral forward movement.
Berlin, however, declares that German
troops have been successful. They
have repulsed English and French at
tacks near Nieuport, and minor en-
gagements in the Eosges and upper
Alsace have not altered the situation.
Other encounters in France are men
toned, but nothing is said as to the
outcome.
Kaiser Back on the Line.
Coincident with the temperance OF
the kaiser in the field. the Germans
made spirited attacks. His troops, how
ever. were unable to make him any
gift worth while.
The Belgians and the French sd-
vanced northward along the Belgian
coast toward Ostend. gaining ground
toward Notre Dame de Lorette. Ger
man attacks were repulsed in the re-
gion Of Lens. Neither were the kaisers s
forces able to dislodge the French il
the Vosges.
Announces German Repulses.
PARIS. December 26.-The war Office
announces the repulse of violent Ger
man attacks along the center of the
line. These onsIaughts began on
Christmas eve and continued all day
yesterday.
The Germans made fierce onslaughts
at Chivy, northeast of Souper, and IT
Perthes-les-Hu but the French ar
tilery was too strong for the kaiser's
infantry.
Between the sea and the Lys there
of the fog, but between the Lys and
Disc German attacks were directed
against several points and the most
desperate fighting resulted. At Lihons
French troops captured German
trench, were driven out by the Ger
MANS but returned to the attack and
retook the position.
The Germans were also repulsed at
Noulettes, Boisselle. east of Albert and
at Lihons.
A violent German attack at Chivy
northeast of Souper, was repulsed on
Christmas eve. A night attack in the
region of Perthes was also repulsed,
the French artillery silencing the
enemy. The attack was again started
yesterday, but was repulsed.
Germans Driven Back at Rheims.
East of Rheims the Germans were
driven from their first line defenses.
The situation in the neighborhood of
Rheims is noticeably cleared. the bonn