The Washington times., 1915-02-20
Severe Fighting Continues Near
Sea Coast, Where Invaders
Try to Cut Allied Line.
FRENCH ASSUME OFFENSIVE
Closing In on Enemy's Position
at st. MihieI, Which Is Under
Constant Bombardment.

PARIS. Feb. D.-Flat contradiction OF
the German claims OF successes in the
north. in the Argonne. and In the Cham
payne districts come today from the
war office.
Reviewing the operations Of the last
ten days. II was stated that everywhere
the developments have been favorable
to the allies. IT Is charged that the
German claims of sweeping successes
arc made deliberately. and with the ex-
pcctation that they will aid in inhu-
encing the italian parliament, now in
session. to continue the policy OF neu-
tralty.
The weather conditions all along tho
battle line have been abominable, the
report says, but despite this fact the
allies have continued to make notable
gains. Part Of this IL due to the supe
riortv of the French artillery. which Is
becoming more and more effective.
Foes Night Attacks Weaker.
The report. AS made public today.
covers nine typewrittcn pages, and sets
forth the various operations in detail.
Ali. however, previously have been COW
cred in the daily communicates. and
there are very few new facts revealed.
High tribute Is paid to the allied
troops, who. it Is stated. have success
fully overcome obstacles which under
ordinary circumstances would have
n in b,pp - iyh tiy,U
force. The German night assaults, 1t
Is declared. arc no longer delivered with
the force noted earlier in the war. This
is believed to he due to the constantly
increasing number of raw levicS that
are being placed IN the German ranks.
Trying To Cut Allied Line.
Severe tighting continues in the region
Of Armcnti"rcs and between Yprcs and
the sea, where the Germans are pushing
their efforts to cut the allied lines Of
communication.
The fact that the British have es-
tablished several now bases in the
north has apparently been reported to
the Germans by their airmcn. as in
nearly every instance the attacks have
beet delivered ION lines leading directly
to them. The arnen of both armies
are unusually active.
From Armenticres to the User canal, |
at La Bassec and near the .Arras- Lens
road fierce night attacks have been de-
Nvercd by the Germans without sue
cess, according to the French reports. |
and French officials deny the Berlin |
claims of gains of trenches in the
north.
French Assume Offensive.
From the Aisne to the heights of the
Meuse heavy artillery exchanges con-
tlnue. with occasional infantry con-
tiicts at certain points in the Cham
pagne and Argonne region.
The French are gradually assuming
the offensive along the Meuse. and
have possession OF a number of bridge
heads. which viii be utilized when the |
time arrives to throw an army across |
tho river. The German position at ST |
Mihiel is under constant lombard |
ment, and the French lines are grad |
ually closing in.
Despite the alternating thaws and
freezes In the Vosgcs. where the noun
"a rs are under n heavy blanket OF |
snow and the valleys are almost i'm
passible. the offensive operations there |
continue. The French hold most of the |
important heights. and are in position |
to begin double movement in this |
vicinity as soon as the weather condi- |
tions permit.
Frances Full Strength In Field.
The announcement by General Joffre |
that the reserve army has now been |
amalgamated with the regular forces |
means that the entire French strength |
is now in the field. The troops that !
have of necessity been held at base !
camps and mobilization centers because |
Of lack of equipment and for further |
training are concentrated at points |
agreed on at the conferences between |
the British and French general stats, !
and will be ready to move when the |
new British army Of more than 100000 |
men can be placed in the positions Sc |
leCtcd.
1t is not believed here that the allies
will wait for spring before attempting |
their general forward movement. 1t is |
thought that not later than the middle |
of March the pressure will be applied |
to the German lines as feeling out !
movement" and that before the spring |
thaws. definite progress will have been |
made.
The accumulation of hospital supplies |
here and in certain other French cities |
indicates imminent action. |