The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-12-22
T FRANCE

lUnited Press Leased Wire Service.l
PARIS, Dec. 22.-After two weeks
fighting In the effort TO hold on to the
Belgian coast, tho Germans are re-
ported to have evacuated Middlekirk,
north of Ostend, today.
Unconfirmed reports declare their
lire has been thrown even further
back and that Ostend has been evao-
uated.
The coast towns Of seebruage and
Heyst have been vigorously lombard
ed by the allies warships within the
past two days. This has been In sup
port Of the general movement to clear
the coast while the French and Brit
ish In the Dixmude and Ypres region
are forcing the enemy back upon the
Brugges- es-RouIeres-courtray line.
OFFICIAL REPORT.
PARIS, Dec. 22.-Drivins the Ger
mans from trenches In the Argonne at
the point of the bayonet and taking up
new positions In northern France and
Belgium on the western end Of the
battle line, the official eommunique
issued from the war office today, re-
ports new progress along practically
the entire 200 mile line which tho al
lied offensive Is being conducted.
In Belgium the action yesterday was
marked by heavy cannonadin9. A
German offensive movement between
the Lys and the Aisne was repulsed.
About carency, Mammetge and L.
hons, gains were made by the French
at several points.
Between the sea and the Lyc the
action during the 21st was largely
confined to cannonadins," the COM
munique stated.
"eetween the sea and the Lys the
repeated attacks Of the enemy were
repiused.
I'VE made gains at several points
IN the regions Of carency, Mammetge
and Lihons. In the region Of Aisne
and at Rheims, eannonading continues.
ain the Champagne district and In
the Arsonne we advanced by bayonet
charges, while between the Arsonne
and the Meuse the French made mark
ed progress. Trenches were taken
despite wire entanaeIements by which
they were protected"
FIGHT TO THE END.
PARIS, Dec. 22.-"To fight without
mercy until Europe Is definitely lib
Grated by a fully victorious people,"
ThIs Is the only policy considered
by tho French government. Frances
declaration for war to the finish
was made today by Premier Viviani
In a statement before the chamber
Of deputies. convening the new ses-
sion of parliament.
The governments statement was
brief. Responsibility for the war was
placed with Germany, but the very
opening paragraph If the govern
ment's pronouncement left no douot
that France was prepared and con-
sidered no other policy than war to
the bitter end. The statement be-
gan:
This communication is not such
as governments usually make In out
IlnIna for the first time it's policies.
AT the present hour there 10 but
one policy; to fight without mercy
until Europe Is definitely liberated by
a fully victorious peace"
The opening of this war session Of
parliament was under exceedingly
dramatic conditions. Many members
Of the chamber Of deputies as we'll az
senators returned from the front
where they are serving with the
army. Three deputies and one mem
Der of the senate have been killed in
action.
THE session is expected to be
short Adjournment may be taken
by Thursday after the bills which
will be presented by the government
are passed. These bills include a
vote Of six months provisional credit,
suspension Of senatorial elections,
modification of the naturalization
laws to meet the situation grow
ing out of the war as related
to the Germans now in France
and parliamentary measures. The
laws contemplated will make it pos
aibIe for the government to withdraw
naturalization granted persons who
retained their original nationality or
are considered undesirable.
Five Months In Jail.