New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-20

Si ''io Lohuouts DeC. <Vs-0e-
tween Nieuport and MiddIekerke the
German positions were heavily sheIIed
by the British warships between Fri
day midnight and z o'clock Saturday
morning.. II Is said that the Germans
replied at one point with 12.inch naval
guns.
During the earlier stage of the action
the German fire was heavy, but appar.
emily the guns were destroyed or with
drawn, as the reply early in the morn
Ing was very slack.
London, Dec. l8-Bringing up an
enormous weight of artillery to clear
the way fov. the infantry, the Allies
are hurting great forces against the
German lines in Flanders and France.
Their offensive, which goes on with
great vigor despite the bad condition
OF the ground, is being met with
determined resistance, and, while they
seem to have captured many of the
enemy's trenches, the Germans, in turn,
have beaten them back at several
points. To-night's French official re-
port says that the British troops lost
several trenches that were captured
yesterday.
The offensive is being pushed with
considerable force from the Belgian
border south to the River Disc, where
the line turns eastward.
The Germans keep up violent coun-
ter attacks, and BY these and the use
of mines have in some cases succeed
&c in preventing the Allies from fol-
loving up their advantage.
Similar tactics are being adopted by
both sides along the rest of the front,
with gains and losses which are
marked in fractions of miles.
Military observers point to q CO.
ordination of military movements in
the East and West, the offensive move
ment of the Allies in northern France
and Flanders keeping the Germans en-
gagged and preventing them from send
ing reinforcements eastward. The AL
lies claim gains in Flanders and France
during the last few days which are
said to counterbalance German ad-
vances in Poland.
Progress Of the Allies in the vicinity
of La Bassee, where the Germans had
clung tenaciously TO their positions for
so many weeks, is regarded here as
particularly noteworthy, as the Ger
mans spearpoint there had presented
an, irritating problem. The advance
Of the Allies thus far has been slow.
but British military critics expect il
to gain impetus. '.f
I In message from Antwerp TO the
Amsterdam "Telegraaf" it is 81
that the Germans. in preparation A.
possible retirement, are constructing
"a line of defence across Belgium, from
the Scheldt along the Dendre River 20
! Maubeuge, on the French frontier.
This, if true, might be considered only
a measure of precaution.
Paris, Dec. l9.-The following OFF
cial communication was issued tonight
by the French War Office:
"ln Belgium in the region of Steen-
straete an attack by the enemy has
been repulsed and we have made prog
ress in the neighborhood of Korteken
Inn.
"The British troops have lost in the
vicinity Of Neuve Chapelle several OF
the trenches which they captured yes-
terday. In the meantime the Indian
corps has advanced "A few hundred
metres toward Richebouyg L'Ayoue.
Is "The enemy has displayed activity
in the direction of Thiepval and
Lihons. At the latter place q detach-
ment of the enemy, was taken by sur
prise in marching column and literally
mown down.
From the Disc to the vosges there
has been no incident worth noting"
Following is the text Of the oficisl
communication given out this after
noon:
During the day Of December rs we
organized in Belgium the territory won
from the enemy the evening before Ia
the south of Dixmude, and we advanced
our front to the south of the inn at
Korteker. ~
sour advance to the south of Yprss
has been continued over very dih-
cult and swampy territory. ..
From the Lys to the Disc we have
progressed in the region of Notre,
Dame de Consolation, TO the south OF
La Bsssee, by more than one hlo-
metre. During the last two days we
also made progress in the direction of
! Carency. Saint Laurent and Blangy.
"In spite Of very spirited counter
attacks the positions taken by US On
December II have been retained.
"In the region Of Albert during the
night from December lT-ls, and dur
Ing the day Of the 18th, we advanced
| under very violent fire Of the enemy.