South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-12-02
Artillery Duel at VermeIIeS Re-
suits in Destruction of Heavy
German Guns, According to
War Office Announcement.
ALLIES STRIKING AT
OUTER FORTS OF METZ
0ne Army Cuts Way Through
MOSeIIe Valley to ArnavilIe in
Attempt to Drive Wedge Be-
tween Invaders Forces.

PARIS. Dec. 2.-Three batteries of
heavy German guns have been de-
stroyed by the French in an artillery
duel at Vermelles, it was officially
announced by the French war office
this afternoon.
VermeHis is about four miles
southwest Of LaBassee in northern
France. The allies took some Ger
man trenches in that district after a
brilliant bayOnet charge in which the
soldiers engaged in hand-to-han
hghting.
South of Ypres the Germans made
a furious but Intellectual attack in an
effort TO regain ground they had pre-
viOusly lost. These attacks, which
took place at st. Eloi, two and a half
miles south OF Ypres. were repulsed.
Heavy artillery fire was reported
from other sections of the front, par
ticularly near Craonne. north Of
Rheims, where the Germans have in
creased the vigor of their cannonade.
Official Statement.
I'm the region to the south of
Ypres. at st. Eloi. an attack of the
enemy against the trenches captured
by our troops during the day was re-
pulsed.
"Our artillery damaged their heavy
batteries at Nermelles The chateau
at this place. the park surrounding
II, two houses of the village and some
of the enemy's trenches were bril-
liantly captured by our troops.
I'm the envirOns OF Fay, 10 the
sOuth and TO the west of Peronne,
there was a lively cannonade.
I'm the region of Vendresse and
Craonne the German artillery bomb
arded violently. Our artillery an
swered the enemy's gun fire success
fully and succeeded in destroying 4
battery.
''In the Argonne an attack of the
Germans against Fontaine Madame
has been repulsed and we made some
progress, capturing a trench in the
woods of Courtes and ChausSes and q
small work OF defense at ST Hubert.
"On the heights Of the MeuSe in
the Woevre region and in the Nosges
nothing worth mentioning has hap
pened.'
shift Interest to East.
The herCeEess of the struggle be-
tween the Germans and the allies in
northern France and West Flanders
has for some weeks OvershadOwed the
opinions elsewhere along the battle
front but the presence of Gen. JOffre.
the French COmmander-in-Chief, on
the eastern end of the line has for
the time being shifted some OF the
public interest TO that quarter A
French army which has cut its way
northward through the MOselle valley
To Arnaville. nearly within artillery
range OF the outer circle of forts at
Metz. is carrying on a vigorous bonn
bardment of the fortress there in an
effort 10 move farther TO the north.
Northeast of Arnaville lies the army
OF Metz. commanded by Gen. Won
StrantZ. a German war veteran of
1870. on the west side of the Meuse
lies the Germany army which is COM
monty known as the army of the
German crown prince.
To is the object of the commander
Of the French army of the MOSelle 20
get between these two forces. Success
in this cndcaVOr would further inn
peril the Germans who secured a foot
hold at st. Mihiel and would lessen the
dangers which confront Nerdun. In
the event OF a decisive German defeat
in France the German left wing would
be in a serious predicament 1t
would find its direct line Of retreat
into Metz cut off and if the French are
able 10 penetrate 10 Longwy they
would prevent the Germans from re-
treating eastward by way OF StOnay.
French Increase Pressure.
The French are increasing their
pressure against the Germans in this
region knowing fun well that the in
vaders have taken all the men pos
sible from that region TO reinforce
their armies in the north.
The sound OF cannonade continues
all along the AlSne ana on the ArraS-
Bethune- -Armentieres line the Ger
man artillery is showing no signs Of
weakening its terrific fire. Bloody
hand-to-hand lighting is reported from
West Flanders. being carried ON
chiefly by small detachments which
are detailed 20 seize groups Of houses
and patches of small woodland held
BY the enemy. PROGRESS is very slow
in this region. but the herceness of
the hghting is fully attested by the
enormous trains OF wounded that are
daily arriving at the base hospitals
The British base hospitals are in
B0ulogne. those OF the French are in
Dunklrk. and those OF the Belsians in
Calais Mere figures have ceased "a
convey adequately the terrible cost 81
war in the northern sphere, but an
idea is gained by the Information that
more than so public buildings in these
towns have been given over 20 the care
OF the wounded Within "a hours