Omaha daily bee., 1914-12-22
GERMAN VIEW OF
AFFAIRS In WEST
Official Statement Contradiots Prao-
tioslly All Claims Of French
War Office.
MEN AND GUNS ARE TAKEN
Text of AneEed order from General
Joffre for Advance on German
Lines L. Published as
Part OF Report.

BERLIN, Dec. 21JCBy Wireless 80 Lon
don)-The German war office today gave
out statement in which 1t Is related that
on December 10 German troops were sue
cessful at Newport. occupied certain
Anglo-Indian positions Ia Belgium and
captured artillery and 20 prisoners, and
that trenches at Notre Dame de Lorette
were retaken from the enemy Near
Souain. the French reached some Ger
man trenches, but were driven off with a
loss Of 3i4 prisoners and many dead. An
advantage was gained In the Argonne and
French attacks TO the northwest OF Yer
dun failed. This official statement quotes
textually an order issued by General is
sued by General Joffre to the French
forces urging them 10 fresh endeavor to
drive the German invaders from French
territory.
The text Of the communication fellows:
THE French attacks yesterday at Nieu-
port (Belgium) were repulsed. Between
Richeborough l. Avoue and the canal OF
Labassee we attacked the position OF the
Anglo-Indian troops, stormed and cap
tured their trenches and dislodged them
from their positions with heavy losses.
We captured one piece of artillery five
machine guns. two mine throwers and
20 Anglo-Indians. including ten officers.
The trenches we lost TO the enemy De-
oember Is near Metre Dame deLorette
have been recaptured.
In the neighborhood OF Soubain. TO the
northeast Of Cnalons. French troops yes
torday delivered fierce attack. In one
place they entered our outer trenches,
but their attack broke down under our
fire. They left four officers and $40 men
in our hands, and a large number of dead
French troops were left on the ground
in front of our position.
Capture Hin I'm ArgOnne.
I'm the Agonnne wo captured an inn
portant wooded hill at LeFour De Paris,
thre machine guns, one revolver gun and
27S prisoners.
THE fierce French attacks to the
northwest of Verdun have failed COM
pletely.
The great activity shown by the
French along our entire front has been
explained by an army order dated De-
cember II and signed by General Joffre,
commander-in-chief of the French troops,
which was found on q French officer,
This order reads as follows:
During three months the enemy has
made numerous fierce attacks without
being able to break through our line.
Everywhere he has been VIGOROUSLY re-
pulsed. The moment now has arrived
for us to make use Of the weakness which
he has shown. After having reinforced
ourselves with men and material the hour
of attack has arrived. We kept the Ger
man forces in check. and it is now our
business to. clear the fatherland OF the
invaders.
" Soldiers: More than ever before
France relies upon your courage and your
desire to conquer at any cost You al
ready have been victorious on the Marine
and on the User. at Ypres. in Lorraine
and In the Vosges. You win know how
to conquer until the final triumph
I'm the eastern arena of the war the
situation in West Prussia remains I'M
changed In Poland we continue our at
lacks against the positions of the enemy"