Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-12
THE WAR news
IN BRIEF FORM

The efforts of the French to advance
in the Woevre district are not only
meeting with characteristic resist
ance, but the Germans are delivering
fierce counter attacks at various
points, not only in that territory, but
to the north, in the neighborhood OF
Albert, around which many engage
ments have been fought during the
course of the war.
The important strategic position OF
Les Eparses, which dominates the
Plain Of the Woevre has been free
fighting since the French occupation
of two days ago, but as the Germans
are reported to have set great score
by this position, it is more than likely
that the lull pressages a reinforce
ment OF the troops who were compell-
ed to withdraw after the last French
attacks and offensive operations for
the re-capture Of that point.
The fighting to the north Of Albert
was aling the banks Of the Ancre riv-
er and resulted from an attempt by
the Germans to take the French
trenches at Hamel and in the Thiepval
wood. The attack was carried out
with determination and at various
points there was hand to hand fight
ing. But. according to the Frenvh Off
cial statement, the Germans were re-
pulsed.
Berlin reports the capture Of three
villages on the User canal and the fail
ure Of the French attacks in the Ar
COME. But the French claim to have
captured section Of German trench
in that region. The French admit the
loss of some trenches, previously cap
tured from the Germans, in the Mont
Mare wood.
Details OF the latest operations In
the Carpathians are lacking the Rus
sian official report being largely con-
fined to the defeat two days ago OF
the Austrians. in which the Russians
cptured a battalion, and the occupation
Of several heights near UZok pass, in
which they captured more than a
thousand men.
The German auxiliary cruiser Kron-
prinz Wilhelm, following the example
of the Prinz Eitel Friedrich. has slip
ped into Newport News with the rec
ord of having sunk II vessels since
| last August.
| The sinking Of the British steamer
Harpalyce in the North sea remains
somewhat of a mystery. The steamer
which carried gifts from the Ameri
can people to the Belgian sufferers re-
Gently arrived at Rotterdam and dis
! charged her cargo. 1t is understood
she was on her way to Newcastle when
she was either torpedoed or sunk by
mine. More than half her crew OF
SO were rescued but only meagre de-
| tails Of the disaster have so far been
made public. 1t is not known whether
| the vessel still carried her permit OF
exemption from attack under the
charter Of the commission Of Belgium
Count Won Bernstorff, German am
| bassador at Washington has made
public the text of the note he recent
ly presented to the American state
department. In this note the ambas-
sador points out that a great guam
tity of war material of every kind Is
being built up in the United States and
says:
eff the American people desire tc
observe true neutrality they will find
means to stop the exclusive expor-
tation of arms to one side or at least
to use this export trade as a means
| to uphold the legitimate trade with
Germany, especially the trade in
| foodStuffS."