New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-19
Outposts in Bayonet En-
gagements in Streets,
Says Report.
GERMANS RETREAT
TOWARD ROUBAIX
Belgians Win a Furious
Encounter After Being
Thrice Repulsed.
LONDON HEARS THAT
ROULERS is TAKEN
Are Said to Have Passed Dix
nude, Reaching Middlekerke
on Road to Ostend.
fBy Cabl. % In. rrihune J

London, Dec 19.-"The Daily Chroni-
Gle" prints the following dispatch.
which is dated Northern France, Fri
day.:
"A week Of successes for the Allies
has followed the resumption of hostili-
ties in France and Flanders. Roulers
has been captured after our fierce as
saults on the German trenches outside
the town. The inundations between
Dixmude and Nieuport have been sur
rounded by the allied troops, who have
pushed northward from Dixmude and
southwark from Nieuport, and have
joined forces on the northeastern side
of the foods Repeated bayonet at
tacks have been pushed home at Lom-
baertzyde, with the result that our pa
trolls have advanced to Middlekerke, a
few kilometres from 0stend.
The lighting on the borders OF the
flooded area was particularly furious.
The Belgisns advanced toward the in
trenched positions of Germans at
Oostkerke, but were driven back by
the we'll posted mitrailleuses Of the
enemy. Three times they rallied 10
charge, and three times they were re-
pulsed. The fourth assault, however,
crowned the gallantry of the Belgians
with success, and the trenches were
carried at the point OF bayonet.
$50 interwoven were the allied and
German trenches in this region that
the defeat of the enemy at 0ostkerke
was responsible for the capture Of
nearly 1000 German prisoners. They
were caught in parties varying from
thirty to three hundred in number.
For time the reckless dash OF two
armored auto cars into the Belgian
lines nearly saved the situation for
them. The cars fred with deadly effect
until they were compelled 10 Withdraw.
The wounded are beginning to ar
rive at the base hospitals. The German
casualties are reported 10 be very
heavy.
"Our sweeping offensive has been no
less successful 10 the south. The
French and British troops have arrived
at the gates of Lille. Fierce bayonet
fighting in the streets of this great in
dustrial city is reported, and a general
withdrawal OF the main German forces
10 Tourcoing and RoubaiX has taken
place.
Reports are current in Northern
France that Roulers has been taken
by Franco British troops.
"The Germans bombarded Armen-
there's on Thursday night. Their shells
fell in the town at the rate Of two a
minute for several hours. Our artillery
replied with great effect. The general
action which is now in progress is ex-
pected to continue several days"
London, Dec. 18.--The Allies often
sive in the West continues to progress
very slowly, according 10 the Paris
communication, although when the
gains claimed % have been made dur
ing the last week are taken together a
considerable advance is indicated in
Flanders and in the vicinity Of Arras.
The Allies seemingly arc making
their greatest efforts at Arras, in the
belief that penetration Of the German
lines would compel a general German
retirement Il is still, however, a mat
ter Of siege warfare in Belgium and
France.
The wireless report from Berlin says
many of the attacks Of the Allies are
being repulsed, with heavy casualties.
which are added TO when the Germans
mine trenches which the Allies are
TO evacuate.
The French official report specifically
claims gains for the Allies 20 the northf
east of Nieuport, Armentieres, Auchy
La Basse, Saint-Laurent and Bagny.
the gain at the last ramed point being
the capture of trenches along a front
of more than 1000 yards. The rival
reports Of operations in the Argonne
are as usual wholly contradictory.