Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-22
PROGRESS MADE
BY FRENCH ARMY
Official Report Says That
Advance Is Scored Along
the Fronts in France
BELGIAN SITUATION
is WITHOUT CHANGE
Nearly Mile of the Enenay's
Trenches Won and Held
By the Allied Soldiers

The operations Of the allies in
Flanders, after long period OF
sporadic fighting at detached
points, apparently now have as
aunoed the character Of general
movement in an attempt to press
back the entire western end of the
German line. The latest French
official statements say that apprec-
liable gains have been made, al
though it is admitted that the Ger
mans are resisting with deter
mination. 1t is reported from
London, but not confirmed, that
the Germans have evacuated Dix
nude.
The allied fleet is reported to
have begun bombardment Of the
DardaneIles last Saturday. Moth
ing is yet known of the result.
The allies probably could assem-
BILE a powerful fleet in the Medi-
terranean for this purpose.
The French parliament will sit
in Paris tomorrow. About 200
members are serving with the col
ors, but are returning from the
front to attend the session.
It is reported that Italy has
threatened rupture of diplomatic
relations with Turkey unless
satisfactory explanation is made
Of the threatening attitude toward
Tripoli of four thousand Arabs
under Turkish and German Of
ficers.
Paris, Dec. 21-The French war Of
ice gave out an official communica.
lion this afternoon as follows,
"The day of December 20 brought
lothing of Importance in Belgium, il
exception is made Of some progress in
The region Of Lombaetzyde and St
Georges, and at a point to the south
east of the inn of kortaker, which is
southeast of Bixschoote; the occupa
ion of some houses in Wartelem
south of Zillebeke, and the lombard
ment by the enemy of the Ypress hos
p'tal.
Between the Lys and the Aisne
We have occupied forest near the
route between Noulettes and Souchez
Ind we also took possession of all the
drst line of German trenches between
his highway and the first houses OF
Notre Dame De Lorette, southwest OF
Loos.
"The enemy has bombarded Arras.
"Our heavy artillery silenced on re-
peated occasions the artillery Of the
enemy to the north of Carnoy, which
Is to the east of Albert. This artillery
also demolished the German trenches
md sent head over heels two cannon
D. a battery established near Hon
which is to the southeast of Carnoy
The heavy artillery also scored dis
tinct advantages on the Aisne, and in
The sector of Rheims.
In Champagne, in the region OF
Prosnes, Perthes and Beausejour, as
we'll as in the Argonne, we made along
he entire front appreciable advances
This is particularly true to the north
east of Beausejour, where we won and
occupied 1900 yards of the enemy s
trenches. In the forest of La Grurie
We blew up four mined saps and we
ourselves in the positions
,hus made.
Between the Argonne and the
Meuse there has been progress along
Ill the front, particularly in the region
If Varennes, where the brook OF
Cheppes has been left 500 yards in ou1
ear, and in the region of Grecourt
3ethincourt.
"On the right bank of the Meuse we
nave gained ground at La Croupe; at
/ point two kilometers southwest OF
Brabant and in the forest of Consen
5oye.
Finally, on the heights of the
Meuse we have made slight progress
n the forest of Des Chevaliers, to the
northeast of the fort of Coyon."
Germans Make Report.
Berlin, Dec 81, (wireless to London)
The German war Office today gave
,ut the following:
"The French attacks yesterday al
Newport (Belgium) were repulsed.
Between Richebourg L'Avoue anr
he canal Of La Bassee we attacked the
positions of the Anglo-Indian troops
,tormed and captured their trenches
lnd dislodged them from their posi-
ions with heavy losses. We captured
,ne piece of artillery, five machine
runs, two mine throwers and 27(
including ten officers
rhe trenches we lost to the enemy De
(Contiuued on page 81