The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1915-04-15
GERMANS START
COUNTER ATTACK
kaiser's Army Making Strong
Effort to DisIodge French
from Les Eparges.
FIRST ATTEMPT IS REFUSED
EnQaqement-Russia Meet
Stumbling Block In carpathians
-Rumors Of Sea Fight.

London, April 13.-Les Eparges, &C
cupied April by the French after a
series of desperate engagements cost.
ing countless lives, again has come
under the fire Of the German guns. It
was around this place the Germans,
according to French official report,
lost thirty thousand men in two
months fighting.
After lull of two days the Germans
prepared for their counter attack on
Les Eparges by severe lombard
ment and a heavy rifle fire; then in
the early hours of the morning they
advanced on the position, which the
French had made even stronger than
when the Germans held 1t, but were
forced to retire. The extent of this
offensive is not known, but it has been
reported the Germans look upon this
position, which commands the plain of
the Woevre, as one of the greatest
importance, and further attacks may
be looked for.
Otherwise the situation in the West
ern war zone is of comparatively little
interest, owing to the general calm
that prevails.
In the East, although the Russians
have occupied the principal positions
in the western section of the Carpa-
Tthians, there is one height, known as
Height 992, which they have not been
able fo>mastet
Almost Into Hungary.
NevertheleSs, they are reported to
be moving down the western slopes
and in fair way 70 make an advance
into Hungary.
Reports persist of heavy firing in
the North Sea. but no explanation.
either official or unofficial, Ia. forth
coming. These rumors date back as
far as April Z, and the latest, within
twenty-four hours, reported firing OF
Scarborough. which seemed to indi-
cate a naval engagement. But the
British admiralty has vouchsafed no
information one way or another.
Hard to Gage Results.
LUuUOu, Aplll AC Il ICANA OAOA-
sive in Woevre, which, according to
official reports from Paris, continues
to make progress. although the Ger
mans reiterate that all the French at
tacks have been repulsed, it is be-
lieved. is only the prelude to big gen
eral attack in the West.
With the two general stats in d.
rect conflict, it is difficult to gage the
results of the fighting. Military ex-
perts here, however, express the con-
viction that the Germans will be
compelled to send reinforcements to
strengthen their wedge, which pene-
trates to st. Mihiel, and which is be-
ing attacked on both tanks, and that
as soon as this movement begins, the
Allies will strike at the place thus
weakened and perhaps at the whole
line
With the operations in this district
of France those in the Carpathians d.
vide interest, which is being barely
satisfied with the meager official re-
ports from the various headquarters.
The Russians like the French. APP
parently are making progress in the
capture of important places which are
essential before general forward
movement can be undertaken. They
are in possession of the whole princi-
pal chain of the Carpathians and at
some points are descending the south
ern slopes and are approaching, if they
are not already in, the Uzsok Valley,
south of the pass of that name.
Allies in a 1856 MiIe.Line.
Paris. April 12.-Troops of the Allies
today occupy battle fronts whose
Length totals 1856 miles, according
to a compilation made by the Matin.
In the western arena, according to the
figures, the French occupy so miles OF
trenches. the British thirty-one miles
and the Belgians seventeen miles.
In the eastern theater the Russians
face a front of S51 miles. while the
Servians and Montenegrins are fight
ing along line which measures 217
miles.
French Take Les Eparges.
London. April 1O.-Repulses of the
Germans at various points in France.
the taking OF Les Eparges. an import
ant strategic point on the road toward
their objective, Metz, and the capture
Of lines of trenches are announced in
the latest French official report of the |
warfare in the West, while Petrograd |
asserts that in the Carpathians the |
Russians are in possession of the en-
tire principal chain OF mountains, ex-
cepting one hill.