The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-29
FIGHTING AROUND AIsNE
COST THE LIVES OF 5000

Paris. Jan. 2S.--The severe fighting
which began on Monday marning in the
vicinity of Craonne. north of the Aisne,
and continued until last night cost the
German army 5000 mon. according to
the French estimate as given in the
official communicates. Issued by the war
office today. These losses added to the
heavy casualties incurred by the enemy
in the Woevre. the Vosges. at LaBassee,
and east Of Tyres. make total that
Is believed to be more than 10000. And
II is pointed out here that this huge
price has brought the Kaiser's troops
nothing whatsoever in the way of re-
ward
The latest reports received by the
military authorities here today indicate
that the past twenty -four hours have
seen the slackening OF hostilities that
was to have been expected after the
extreme efforts of Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday. In fact the night report
of the war ONCE says that during the
night of January 27-2s there was not a
single infantry attack by he Germans,
although severe artillery actions are
announced in Flanders along the .Aisne,
in the Argonns and In Alsace.
1t was desire on the part of tho
Germans to commemorate the fifty
sixth birthday Of the Kaiser with some
noteworthy feat OF arms that was re-
sponsible FOR the slaughter OF twenty
thousand OF their best troops in three
days. according to the news sent from
the front by General Joffre. Just what
was accomplished by these efforts la
well expressed by the communique is
sued this afternoon, which says.
Good One For Allies
ark
good one for US all along the front
Every German attack was repuised.
while every French attack made pro-
gress''
In Alsace late yesterday the French
troops made an advance OF several
hundred metres without any opposi-
ton, to the northwest OF Ammerz-
weller. Last evening thu Germans
directed a severe artillery fire against
the troops who had accomplished this
progress. but could not prevent the m
from organizing themselves. The
night communique follows:
During the night OF January 1928
the enemy delivered no infantry at
tack. Northeast OF Zonnebeke (north-
east OF Ypres on the railway from that
town 70 Rcuiers) thers was a
cannonade and a lively fusillade by the
Germans. There was an artillery duel
on the Aisne. In the Argonne there
was merely cannonading by both sides.
''Tn Alsa &c: Northwest of Ammerz-
weller (south of Lower Burnhaupt)
our troops maintained their position
IN spite OF a violent bombardment
directed against the ground occupied
during the day, and have organized
the positions.
ION the rest of the front calm is
reported"
Allies Prepared.
The afternoon communicate shows
that the Germans attacked all along
the line yesterday. even In the Vosges,
where there has been comparative
quiet. The allies, howeve' had been
looking for general offensive, and
were prepared for 1t in every way.
They simply remained on thr defensive
until the German attacks had spent
their force, and then retaliated in
even more vigorous fashion
Unofficial reports from the front
hold out hope that the two companies
of French infantry, VINO were shut In
an old quarry near Craonne. when the
entrance was blocked up by shells
may have been able to extricate them
selves or at least to have held out until
aid could reach them. The latest
news was that a determined effort
was being made to reach the quarry,
but the war office has not beard word
az TO the outcome OF the attempt yet