The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1914-12-08
ALLIES PtjSh'
CEC.MANS BACK
Concerted Offensive Hurled
Against Invaders.
FIGHTING ON TIE User
Teutons Bombard Town Near Coast
Below Nieuport and French Attack
intrenchments on Canal.

below NieuPOVS anu SiShS"
intrenchments on Canal.
London. Dec. S.-The concerted and
battering offensive movement OF the
allied forces against the German lines
in Belgium. and France has begun.
Already the British, French and
Belgian forces are being hurried
against the entertainments OF the IN
vaders from the North sea to the from
tier of Switzerland and at many
points along the far-hung line, the
Germans have weakened and the al
lies have made substantial gains.
This news was contained in the or
fetal statement issued by the French
war Office in Paris. This communica'
ton, while worded in that same eau
tious manner that has characterized
these Official statements, specifically
mentions the offensive movements In
the region of Armentieres, Arras and
along the Aisne and also in the Ar
9onne.
At all of these points, the statement
says, the superiority of the French
offensive has. been shown and the
Germans have been hurled back to
newer lines that have been construct
cd to prevent the precipitate retreat
Of the invading hosts.
The kaiser's forces, which succeed
cd In pushing their way across the
User canal In West Flanders, In the
battles last month in which both
sides suffered so heavily In killed,
wounded and prisoners. are said to
have been forced from their positions
In that section of the western war
zone and are reported in unofficial
dispatches to be withdrawing toward
the German line of fortresses along
the frontier.
On the center of the battle line,
a. we'll as in the Champagne region,
the French artillery is hammering
away at the German line of trenches
and at many points they have silenced
batteries of German heavy guns.
Gains also are reported along the
front from the Argonnes to Alsace,
where the fighting has been severe
for many weeks, and where the
French announce that they have driv-
en- back the Germans with heavy
losses and where the French now
hold many of the commanding posi-
lions.
a. The offensive Of the allies has re-
suited in progress and at many points
the French and British have carried
their trenches so close to the Ger
man lines that the battle is being
fought with hand grenades.
Official information from the front
says that the allies have gained
ground at the following points: On
the User canal, south of Dixmuds,
where British and French troops, sup
AnpEted by heavy artillery, drove the
ms from their posi-
lions; north OF CamDrtn, between
Bethune and La BasseA, where the
heavy artillery Of the French caused
such havoc in the invaders trenches
that the Germans abandoned them,
leaving many dead and wounded be-
hind; northwest of Verdun, on the
Acknowledgement highway, where
the German artillery has been planted
to command the Varennes-Ste. Meme
hold road, was silenced, and near
Dammerkirch, in the southern ranges
of the Vosges, where the French are
moved forward with large bodies Of
reinfcrcements.,
Hard fighting S in progress around
Aspach, where the French are carry
ing on a vigorous bombardment with
guns which were. carried across the
snow filed passes of the Vosges with
enormous difficulties. The situation Is
more favorable .or the allies than at
any other time since the battle began,
according to military men. They claim
that the Germans have worn them