Omaha daily bee., 1914-10-10
ARRAS CATHEDRAL
AND HALL RUINED
Priceless Works Of Art in French
Town Said to Have Been De-
stroyed by Artillery Fire.
REGION A vERITABLE INFERNO
Battle started on First of Present
Month and Locality Was Sub
iected to an Incessant
Hail of shells.

Hall OF SHELLS.
LONDON, oct 9.-The correspondent
OF the Telegraph in the northwest part
OF France sends the following:
Refugees reaching the coast today
from Arras report that the Germans on
Wednesday shelled the town, ruined the
belfry OF the ancient Hotel de Vile Cown
halD, and sent several shells into the
cathedral. Whether the shell fire dam
aged Rubens' famous picture THE De
scent from the Cross" and other price
less works OF art cannot be learned. The
wrecked belfry was the greatest orna-
ment Of the town.
There has been fighting around Arras
for several days. An enormous German
force gathered on the plain east Of Arras
last Saturday. The attack began Mon
day, with the heaviest fighting on Tues
day and Wednesday. The early bonn
bardment did small damage. but the
shells on Wednesday spread wholesale
death and destruction. Many Of the citi-
Gems had fled on the urgent advice Of the
authorities,
Germans Gain Town.
The Germans gained the town after a
desperate encounter and entered by the
Porte St Michel, after getting a footing
inside of the historic rampant Once in
side the town the Germans had to rest
before advancing on the allies west Of the
town.
The allies, who had been reinforced
from Amlens, entered by the Porte
DAmiens There was hot rifle fire in
the streets, supplemented by work with
the mitrailleuses. Gradually the allies
advanced and pushed the Germans out Of
the town"
The Times Bouloghe correspondent,
who has been on the scene, relates some
phases OF the fighting on the French
wing.
The correspondent says he went UNI
suspectingly to Arras September 49, The
battle Of Arras began October l and the
whole region became a yerltable inferno
All around was an unceasing hail OF
shells and shrapnels, violence destruc-
ton and death.
ION the previous Thursday" the cor.
respondent continues, the allies were
battering at the gates of Cambria. On
Friday the enemy developed a vigorous
counter attack from Valenciennes on
Lens and from Cambria and Bopaume on
the allies position south and east OF
Arras
ION Saturday the enemy greatly rein
forced, attacked with great violence al
along the line. The allies were com
PEELED to fall back from Lens and Douai
fighting stubbornly the while. The
enemy occupied Dethune and sent troops
into Lille, firing from windows as they
went.
Swept Around Town.
When l left Arras the enemy's shells
were bursting within three kilometers OF
the town ! since have heard that shells
fell in the town and that three streets
were set on fire. The enemy did not
enter Arras They swept around it
They cut a line between Arras and st
Pol, seeking to effect a junction with
their Bethune force.
They came into contact with strong
French achievements and were driven
back in the south. In the north they
retired to La Bases. with their right
wing resting on Lille. The tide Of the
battle has been stemned, perhaps turned
in favor Of the allies.
Fight Developed Quickly.
This battle Of the north developed
with amazing suddenness, as may bt
gathered from the diary Of my expert
ences."
The diary desoribes the beginning Of
the battle on October / and goes on &c
cay:
las darkness fell the tired, bloodstainet
soldiers began streaming into Arras and
for hours the air resounded with the dir
they made. Throughout the night thu
boom of guns could be heard in the dis
lance from the east and southeast.
THE next morning opened quiet II
town, but the roar of guns was still
heard, and as the day advanced ths
sound was coming nearer, but the citi
gems showed a stout heart and had plenty
Of occupation tending the wounded, VIII
were being brought in continuously.
Losses Heavy on Both sides.
THE losses on both sides have beel
very heavy. In one action alone toda!
five German regiments were cut up ant
the horses of their conveys stampeded
They were advancing on Arras by tn
road along the river Scharpe and at tn
village OF Piouvain they came under tn
devastating fire from our artillery an,
the whole five regiments broke and fled
THE day, however, has not been alto
gether favorable for the allies, tn
French were obliged to fall back con
siderably. This evening the enemy
shells are falling near the Arras station
Tonight, squadron after squadron OF war
stained and tired dragons are riding int
Arras, while long lines OF linbers ar
rafting out on the Douai road laden wit
shells for tomorrow II is a serene, moon
light night but the guns are roaring
stu, not having ceased since daybreak.
On October 8 am awakened at day
break by the thunder Of heavy guns no'
from the north and east, where the thir
days battle is raging in a triangle forme
by Arras, Lens and Douai. During tn
day I watched daring aeroplane figh