The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-01-31
FRANCE
[5y Henry Wood, United Press Staff

correspondent
PARIS, Jan. 30.-Fighting along the
line at La 4assee, cuinchy, Nkeuport
and in the Argonnes, was interpreted
tonight to be the beginning Of an at
tempt by the Germans to force the al
lies into action before the new British
and French armies can be concen-
trated.
The Germans have been strongly re-
infor:ad both from the Prussian front
and from the reserve brigades. They
are reported constantly bringing addi-
tionaI artillery into action, but the Off
ciaI and unofficial reports agree that
at no point have they made any real
gains.
With the flood in the Aisne and oiso
subsding, another violent effort by
Won kIuck's forces to smash their
way through the French lines near
scissors is confidently expected. The
German guns are constantly hammer
ing at the French positions in this sec
tion and they are wasting ammunition
with reckless prodigaIity, absolutely
without result. The French hold the
marked the distances that they are
dOtG 70 pTCSCul IuS SSttuouS pushing
forward at any point.
Along the banks of the La Bassee
canal the Germans have lost heavily
during the last few days. They have
charged with reckless abandon
against the British positions reaching
nearly to the outer ring Of trenches,
only to be swept out Of existence by
a withering machine gun fire.
II Is officially stated that at Cuinchy
yesterday a German regiment which
attacked In force, was badly cut up
and FORCED to panic steicken-naas1AEp
leaving 200 dead in front Of the Brit
ish trenches.
The Germans realize the British
volunteer army and the French re-
serve columns are being concentrated
for the spring campaign. II is believed
they hope to compel the allied com
manders to bring these men into ac-
tion Immediately. Apparently they
are regarded as unframed and the
Germans figure to dshearten and de-
feat than to allow them to be first ac-
ciimatized and then brought into ac-
tion as concentrated enthusiastic
single unit.
German claims Of French trenches
captured in the vicinity Of Nieuport
are officially denied. There has been
severe fighting there, but Il has been
chiefly by the opposing artillery. ;.
It is certain that the troops now on
the firing line will be depended on to
maintain their present positions pend
ina the beginning Of the spring cam
paign which it is believed will take an
unexpected form.
That the French have been forced
to give way In the fighting in the Ar
gonne region was admitted tonight. It
is stated that during the fighting Of
the last few days the Germans have
made slight gains, but at an enormous
cost. The French losses are admitted
Iy serious. but they are declared to be
far less than those of the enemy. The
French forces, forced to abandon their
forward line Of trenches in this vicin-
ity, are now said to be completely re-
organized and to have occupied posi-
tions that are some 200 metres in the
rear OF the original positions.
This is the only point where losses
are recorded and they are declared at
the war office to be in no way sisnifi-
cant. In the fighting. north Of Lom-
baertzyde as well as before the Brit
ish positions at La Bsssee the terri
tory in front Of the allied lines Is de-
ciared to be sirnoly covered with the
German dead. The fighting here con-
tinues with the advantage entirely
with the allies.
1t is stated that the artillery duel at
Arras and in that vicinity continues
without interruption. The Germans
are beJieyed TO be naSSip- their
forces for a renewal Of the attack here
and that their lines have been heavily
reinforced.