The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-08
FRENCH CENTRE Is
AGAIN BOMBARDED
Indications Point to Resump-
ton Of Drive Against
Scissors Line.
BRITISH TAKE TRENCH
Special cable Despatch 10 Tue Sun.

Special Cable Despatch 10 THE Sun
PARIS, Feb. 1.-THE past two days OF
lessening activity in western Europe
have been marked, nevertheless, by two
extremely significant operations. To-day
the Germans opened fire with their
heavy guns upon the French line north
Of Scissors, In the section where the
invaders in the middle of the last month
scored their only important success
since they took root In northern France.
The bombardment Of the French line
suggests that the invaders are preparing
to make another onslaught similar to
their drive which bent the French line
back about 1900 yards about January
10 II is not considered likely, however,
that attacks in this quarter can produce
material advantage for the Kalser's
troops. The floods which embarrass the
French defence have passed. Defensive
positions are thoroughly solidined. The
French artillery Ii extremely effective.
The news that German attacks In the
Scissors region have been repulsed is
awaited with confidence
Due probably to unfavorable weather
conditions, there was little energy dis
played by either side to-day In the long
front between the North Sea and Alsace.
The report issued tonight by the French
Government mentioned only unsuccess-
port and the German bomba rdment
north Of Scissors The report. which
was issued at 1890 o'clock, was as
follows:
During the night OF February Cd
the enemy made several minor
attacks In the region of Newport,
all OF which were repulsed.
Nothing has been reported regard
ing the day Of February I with the
exception OF the bombardment Of
the northern section Of Scissors
The other operation of interest mark.
ing period of lessened activity was
the victory won by British troops yester-
day between La Bassee and Bethune
For many weeks the Germans had main
talned themselves In brlckyard which
dominated a road between the German
base at La Bassee and the French base
at Bethune Yesterday detachment
OF British troops stormed and captured
the German position in the brickyard
and drove the Germans to a second
line. The news indicates the effective
ness Of the British troops in maintaining
the Integrity on the part OF the Allies
line.
Probably the most violent attacks de-
livered by the Germans In northern
France have been against the British
troops Each side has given way only
10 swing back TO its original position.
For the time being. at least. the British,
having reRained in the past ten days
some trenches lost to the Germans. APP
pear to have gained the upper hand by
their success OF yesterday
The only other infantry movement
yesterday was an attack by the GER
mans In the bitterly contested region
Of BSausejour. in the Champagne dis
trict The attack was repulsed. Else
whore. from Arras to Rheims, and from
the Argonne to the VosEes, there were
artillery comhats, but no infantry fight
ing. The text of the afternoon report
was as follows:
In Belgium Saturday was calm
Between the canal Of La Bassee
and the highroad RAINING from
Bethune to La Bassee, one kilometer
east OF Cunchy a brick factory
where the enemy had held its posi-
ton until now was captured by the
English. In the sector Of Arras.
north OF Ecurie. German batteries
bombarded n trench captured by us
on February 4, but they made no
infantry attack.
From Arras to Rheims there was
artillery hshting, in which we had
the advantage.
In Champagne we repulsed an
attack made by half a battalion to
the north OF Beausejour.
From the Argonne TO the Vosges
there has been artillery fgh;ing.
hindered somewhat in the mountain
Gus region by heavy fog