New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-08
Joffre's Troops Check
Drives in Argonne and
Around Verdun.
BOTH SIDES CLAIM
STEINBACH HEIGHTS
Advance on Altkirch Proceeds
German Position at ST. MihieI
Further Menaced.
IBy Cable 70 III. Tdbune.l


attacks upon the eastern half Of the
Allies line in France to-day the Ger
mans made a particularly violent as
sault on the French position in the
neighborhood of Lassigny, a town forty
miles north of Paris. where the battle
front, running southwark from Bel
gium. turns abruptly toward the cast.
This assault. to-night's official report
says, was repulsed. as we'll as one in
the Argonne Forest. another in the
vicinity Of Verdun and fourth against
the height which commands Steinbach
and forms an outfort of Cernay (Senn.
heinz, in Alsace.
Whether the sudden German often
sive around Lsssigny marks the be-
ginning Of an attempt in force to break
through toward Paris. or is made with
view to relieving the constantly in
creasing pressure on the German left
around st. Mihiel and in Alsace, can be
told only by the Developments Of the
coming week. That it is the beginning
of a definitely planned series Of move
ments, however, is not questioned by
military experts.
French Right Advances.
Activities at this right angle Of the
extended battle line have long been
confined TO artillery exchanges, and the
troops are snugly dug in for the winter.
Many Of the Germens' positions are in
quarries, prepared by them before the
tide of invasion was rolled back from
the outer ring of the defences of Paris.
The French offensive from the Woevre
region westward is, according to official
announcement, showing substantial re-
suits Northwest OF the town of Flisey
some of the first line trenches of the
Germans have been captured. This
success further menaces the German
position at st. Mihiel. on the right bank
of the river Meuse, which marks the
point of the wedge the invading army
forced into Eastern France months ago.
The southernmost of the three French
columns which have entered Alsace and
are struggling to reach Muelhausen has
made a little more progress around Alt
krch. The force now occupies the
wooded country two and half miles
west of the town and has silenced the
Germans heavy guns.
Lassigny Attack Reported.
The official report issued by the War
Office tonight telling of the Germans
offensive movements follows;
Reports were received this evening
Of violent German attacks in the re
gion Of Lassigny; in the Argonne, at
the crossing of the road from lie -Four
de Paris to Varennes, and that from
La Haute Chevauchee; in the region OF
Verdun and on the ridge which domi-
mates Steinbach. All these attacks have
been repulsed."
Among the engagements reported IN
the official statement issued carrier IN
~ dav is one in which the French
,eoained trench near Lille by eNplod-
inc mines. The text Of the communica"
During the day OF January 6 there
occurred. from the sea 20 the Lys'
nothing other than artillery fighting,
in which we had almost always 'ne
advantage. Our batteries put TO ngn'
certain German aviators who we're com
ing in the direction Of Dunnrk, ana
thev compelled cessation OF the hfe
Of German mine throwers in the re-
gion of Zillebeke.
"The enemy bombarded violently the
head Of the Belgian bridge to the
south Of Dixmude.
Win Trench with Mines.
"In the region Of Lille we repulsed
with success a violent German attack
on one of our trenches. This trench,
in the beginning lost by us, was re
captured with great brilliancy and, by
the exploding of mines, we demolished
a norton of the German field works.
Between the Somme and the Aisns
there has been nothing 10 report eNcept
artillery engagements.
"To the east Of Rheims, on the
Alger farm, we exploded some mines
Yesterday evening. This resulted in
the stopping Of the enemy's field work.
"In the Argonne. to the west of and
to the north OF Verdun, there were
yesterday artillery engagements, IN
which the enemy did not show much
activity.
Take First Line Trenches.
"In the Woevre district the advance
made By Us to the northwest Of Flirey
is more important than WAS az first
taken 10 be the case. We made our
selves masters Of portion Of the
enemy's first line.
AT Steinbach and at the adjoining