Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-18

that they have been told TO sail in
ram submarines and to oHcrpowcr in
vestigating parties sent on board from
German boats to determine their ma
tionality, ana that the British gov
eminent has further ordered the mis-
use by them of neutral flags and the
painting Of British steamers in the
national colors OF neutrals
The investigation OF merchant ships
including neutrals, is therefore irnpos-
sible without seriously cndangcrine
German submarines" the memorandum
says. Furthermore, Germany intends
10 lay mines OH a larger scale in all
parts OF the war zone. Merchant ships
therefore. run the greatest risk. eX-
cept In steaming along the north coast
or Scotland, as recommended By the
German Admiralty"
The memorandum adds that the Ger.
man proclamation OF a war zone" will
continue In force until the British
government, spontaneously, or induced
by ncutrals, declares its readiness &c
observe the rules established by the
Paris and London declarations"
CHAMPAGNE DISTRICT
SCENE OF BLOODY FIGHTING
LONDON. February l7.-The Cham
payne district has for twcntv.fnmr
hours been the scene of bloody iirbt-
inS,' sometimes at hand-to- hand and
me German forces. according TO Paris
have been steadily driven back.
a continuous series Of Victories is
claimed in the French official statement
ana is partly admitted 10y Berlin ia
the northwest of perthes French
troops. suddenly ASSUMING the offensive
attacked the enemy in series of bril-
llant charges and are reported to have
driven them back 500 metres Bayonets
inquired prominently In the lighting,
much of which was at close quarters.
Reinforcements were sent to the Ger
mans and they made a fierce counter
attack. but according 10 Paris. were
repulscd with terrific losses.
Fierce assaults were also made by
the French at Beausejour. where the
enemy is reported TO have been literal
" routed. large number OF bombs
and 200 prisoners were taken, y Ger
man attack to the north of Mesnil-le
Hurlus was repulsed.
Berlin admits the penetration of tho
German lines in Champagne. but de
clares the lighting is still in progress.
The sudden taking OF the offensive by
the French was forced. Berlin claims.
by the repeated German victories in the
tiStIiCt, anu Is TtSlEueu as having Dptn
adopted rs desperate last resort. Be
fore penetrating the German lines. Per
lin claims. the French attacks were re :
pulsed again and again. with huge
losses and with more than 600 being
iaken prisoners.
In the vicinity Of Rheims, near
Louvre the whole French limo at
vanced several hundred metres and
holds its new positions consolidat ed
according to Paris. On this uoi::t E,r-
lin is silent.
The French heavy artillery has been
wrcckinE death and ruin on the enemy
all the way from the sea to the Disc il
is claimed by Paris. The Workmanship
OF the French gunners has been deadly.
Numerous German bivouacs have been
destroyed. At least two ammunition
wagons have been blown UP. and 4
train destroyed. Charging under the
cover OF the artillery fire the French
infantry is said TO have taken two lines
of trenches TO the North of Arras. and
have held them intact against repeated
countcrattack.
More signal French victories are re-