New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-12
FRENCH PRESS
GERMANS BACK
ON ARRAS LINE
Capture Strong Lorette
Position and Take Long
Series of Trenches.
INVADERS ON AISNE
FRONT IMPERILLED
Joffre's Drive Threatens Foes
Communications - Belgians
Win Way Across User.

London, May lin the desperate
battle which Is raging along great
part Of the battlefront from the North
Sea. through Belgium and Northern
France, almost as far as Arras, the
French have won notable advance. Ac-
cording 70 to-night's official report Of
the French War Office, they have taken
/ long lines Of German trenches north Of
Arras. one position captured, the
, chapel Of Notre Dame de Lorette, is de-
scribed as a "veritable fortress" The
Germans have defended this vigorously
for many months.
The battle might be divided into
three sertions. From the boast to Dix
nude, the Belgians, supported by
French marines, have taken the Of
fensive, and, besides REFUSING German
counter attacks, have gained a footing
on the right bank Of the User Canal.
Around Ypres, particularly TO the east
Of that town, the Germans continue 70
attack the British lines, and are again
using gas and tremendous amount Of
artillery, but, according TO the British
version, without making any impress
sion. Further 70 the south is the French
advance.
German Line Threatened.
Inc greatest llUpOIAhuCe IN dNAdNhNN
20 the French operations. as II threat
ems the German lines Of communica,,
ton for the armies on the Disc and
the Aisne. The result of this battle,
which doubtless will not be decided
for DAYS. is awaited with deep interest.
According 70 the French report, the
Germans, their railway lines having
been damaged by allied airmen. have
brought up reinforcement by motor
cars. These have been met by the con-
centrated fire Of the French artillery.
In fact. the artillery is becoming more
and more the determining factor in
the war.
Around Ypres the Germans, before
launching their attacks, which have
been delivered on successive days, thor
o,fchly searched the ground with heavy
and light guns. subjecting the British
20 a bombardment such as they them
selves received az Neuve Chapelle. Of
fcers and men who have escaped from
il state that the trenches wre utterly
dstroyed and the ground churned up
by the shells.
British Now Down Foe.
Nevertheless, the British found some
kind Of shelter, and when the German
infantry tried 10 advance they were
moved down. There are no signs, how
ever, of a slackening Of the Germans
attacks. They are reported TO be con-
I centrating more levies in Belgium.
ready 90 take the place Of, or give
support to, those now on the firing line.
Many experts believe that the biggest
effort vet undertaken TO reach the
French coast ports is now under way.
The lighting in Northern France and
Belgium elected two lengthy state
ments from the War Office to-day. The
latest one says:
ITO the north Of Dixmude. the Bel
gian troops, who have succeeded in
throwing up bridge head on the right
bank of the User, were subjected 10
violent attacks by three German bat
talions last night. The Belgians re-
pulsed these, inflicting on the enemy
heavy losses and taking about fifty
prisoners.
another Belgian division has gained
ground 70 the south Of DiXmude.
ITO the east of Ypres the British
troops have been attacked again, with
the aid Of asphyxiating gases They
allowed the fumes 10 pass over. under
the protection of masks recently put
into use. and by rifle and machine gun
FIRE they annihilated at The very point
Of their guns the German columns
which had advanced In close formation.
"Our success 20 tn. north of Arras
was sensibly enlarged to-day during