Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1915-01-23
SNOWSTORMS IN FRANCE
German Surprised French at scissors
and Took Prisoners-French Claim
Advance Near Rheims.
Latest War News to Date.

| ana taken klrllba ba Pass, on IN,
borders of Pennsylvania. and hav,
. made further progress in their al
vance along the right hank of the Wis
tula toward the German frontier.
The Germans in force have deliver
ed seven successive attacks. which de
veloped into desperate bayonet fight
ing. against the Russian lines on the
lett bank of the Vismla. and have
succeeded in taking one of the Rus
sian trenches
Farther south there have been SINH
lar attacks, in each case preceded by
heavy artillery engagements. The
Russians have succeeded in siIencing
the heavy Austrian guns which from
the banks of the Dunajec have been
bombarding the town OF Tarnow.
The capture of Kirlibaba Pass
through which roads lead into the
heart of Pennsylvania, is likely tc
have a political as well as a military
effect. It possibly will hasten the ac.
ton Of Roumania and will compel the
| Germanic allies TO send troops for the
defense Of Eastern Hungary.
With the retirement of Count Won
B2rchto!d, the former Austro-Iungar.
ian minister of foreign affairs. who
Is said to have favored another ex
petition against Servia. and because
OF the greater influence Of the HIM.
earians in the councils of the empire
by reason of the appointment of
Baron stephan Burian as the head of
the foreign department, the troops
which were destined for the Seryian
operations are likely to be diverted
to meet the new Russian threat
against Hungary.
In the west there has been soma |
brisk fighting at many points. The |
rrench claim to have made further |
progress along the coast of Flanders. |
but not to the extent which they have |
been credited with by unofficial re-
ports. Attacks and counter-attacks
nave also prevailed in the region of
Arras and in the Aisne Valley, south
OF Laon, but apparently without either
side making any advance.
The French progress, however. &C.
cording to their statement, continues
east OF Rheims and in the Vosges. de-
spite heavy snowstorm. In the Ar.
gonne the Germans claim to have i'm.
proved their position.
An official German statement est.
mates the losses of the allies since
they commenced their offensive four
week ago at 10000, including 10000
Killed and more than 1900 prisoners.
An interesting account from Ger.
man sources of the battle north of
says that the French defeat
was the result of q surprise attack.
While the French expected an attack
IN their left, the Germans attacked
IN the right and center, and drove
he French completely out of posi-.
ions north of the Aisne which had
AIKEN them a month to capture.
Earl Grey, the former governor gen.
raj of Canada, in reviewing a bril- !
ade of the Canadian contingent Sun [
ay, told them they soon would be y
ent to the front.
Starting on their new year, the Rus :,
ian cavalry commenced a forward
lovement in Northern Poland. on the
lght bank of the lower Vistula river.
nd have reached the Skrwa river. u
ONE forty miles east of the German fe
'rtress of Thorn, West Prussia, driv- W
lg small force of German cavalry Il
nd infantry before them. Sc
1t is believed that Grand Duke NJ
icholas, commander in chief of the
usslan forces, intends to use an en-
rely new army in this region. con.
sting, according to Petrograd dis C'
ltches, of from 100000 to 1000 900 =,
en-, operating in connection with an =,
my which is advancing in East
russia.
This army would place the German
oops at Mlawa in a wise and at the co
me time threaten the rear of the to
ermans in front of Warsaw. The II
tier still are making occasional at gr
cks on the Russian line, and, accord
to Berlin report. have taken a
lssian vantage point northeast of 90
lwka river. c.
Along the rest of the eastern front 90
thing of Importance has happened. al,
In the west the German success in
gaining in few days from tie
ench the ground near Scissors.
Itch 1T took the soldiers of General de
fire, commander in chief of the to
ench forces, a fortnight to capture, IA
mains the outstanding feature, al 'n'
'ugh it has been somewhat offset cal
the reported British success near 20
basse and the capture by zouaves
some German trenches in the re-
N of Arras.
There have been attacks and coun- see
attacks at other points. ah'
N