Evening star., 1915-02-26
Fresh Attack in West
by German Armies Is
Expected by the Foe

LONDON. FebrGafy 26.-The impression
gaining ground among British and
french military commentators that Ger
many is preparing for fresh expenditure
# energy in the land campaign along the
Western front
Notwithstanding the recent successes of
he Germans in the east they are appar-
ntly encountering as stubborn resistance
IS at any time. The resiliency and re-
operating powers of the Russian armies
.ccordlng to theories advanced here have
Is wfsest to adopt the defensive In the
tuss1an campaign, while delivering an
ther blow in the west.
Allies Well Prepared.
II this rush comes the allies will be
yell prepared to meet it. During the last
ew months a decided change for the
letter has taken place in the forces of
he allies. what with reinforcements, big
;er guns and more complete equipment,
ack Of which was felt keenly during the
arly stages of the war
Military activities in the vicinity of
ferdun in the month of February are
described in a French official recital
given out in Paris today which reads
rs follows:
THE investment of Verdun always
has been one of the objects of the
ierman general staff, and the meas
ires they have taken to this end have
'een both costly and useless.
Offensive Checked.
The German offensive movement to
he southeast of the entrenched camp
# the Meuse was checked at St. Mihiel
md the enemy could not advance
igainst the eastern defenses of this
ocality. Along the heights of the
deuse the line of battle has remained
Unchanged for several months past.
When the Germans moved forward
hey were successful in gaining foot
,old northeast of st. Mihiel- They
occupied Vfgneulles and Hattonchatel
nd the forest of Montague.
Further to the north, however. they
ould not maintain their former gains
nd later French troops occupied the
orthern extremity Of the heights of
he Meuse. 30.
Enemy Driven Out.
AT the village Of Desparges, in
alley of the Meuse. the enemy had
AIKEN a strong position, but we were
uccessful in driving them from it in
pite of their fierce defense
Continuing the recital says the at
acKs on Desparges were begun by
apping operations. This was followed
Y the explosion of mines. and the ex-
avations thus made were used by the
'rench soldiers as points of protection
nile they waited for the artillery to
pen the way.
The fighting was marked by hand
o-hand engagements of great vio-
ence. In one trench alone the Ger
aans left 200 dead: survivors to the
lumber of twenty-five surrendered.
lttacks and counter attacks on these
ositions continued with rapidity. The
ShtinE finally came to an end Feb
uary u with victory for the French
he losses of the enemy are estimated
1000 men, being one-half of their
otal strength engaged.
Bombardment of Rheims.
The bombardment Of Rheims was
uore severe on the night of February
1-22 than at any other time. accord
ng to c. Lenoir. French deputy for
rheims. who was IN the city at that
ime. Shells began falling at o'clock.
nd continued to rain down until 2:15
m.
The projectiles came from all parts
4 the German front from the north
est to the east.
The gunners seemed to aim especially
the first ward OF the city, NJ Lenoir
aid. This section hitherto had been
pared. Fire broke out in twenty
laces at once and whole blocks col
,psed like card houses Official reports
how that over 1000 shells have been
hrown on the old working quarter of
re city, c%s4sing the destruction of 400
ouses. The bombardment was resumed
10 am. on the ed and continued in
ermitteuflY until 4 nm.