New Britain herald., 1915-01-27
GERMANS CAPTURE
 ALLIES POSITIONS IN VICINITY OF CRA0NNE
Both French and Germans Claim Advantage in Fighting at La B&sec;; Heavy Snowfall in AIS1Ce.
S65 WOUNDED FRENCHMfN
 ARE TAKEN PRISONERS

Vienna Claims That Russians Were
 Compelled to Evacuate Important
 Positions in Mountain Passes Lead
 ing Into Hungary After Repeated 4 and Fruitlcss Counter Attacks
 Against Austro- German Forces
 Emperor William is 56 years old to- day.. and although there is little infor- nation of the days military activities the latest reports available made it apparent that the Emperor's troops were endeavoring to win for him a birthday gift in the shape of vic- tory at arms. Two days ago violent German attacks were begun at several points. They developed with greatest force against the British, along La 1Ba ssee canal in France, near the Bel gian border, and against the French further south, in the region of Cra- he.
 from Paris and Berlin, which deal with yesterdays fighting, show that on the day before the Emperors birthday the Germans won a measure sof success near Craonne. The French war office admits that trenches were lost, but says that some of them were retaken later. The German statement, however, claims sweeping victories in this region, including the capture of several points of support along a section of the front nearly a mile in extent.
 Conflict of Statements. s: Concerning the fighting at La Bas- ys see there is a conflict of statements, both the French and Germans claim ing the advantage. A heavy snowfall has interrupted the struggle in AL sace.
 The German war office says there are no changes in Poland, and that in East Prussia attacks were repulsed.
 The Turkish attempt to invade Egypt, several times reported has at last been begun, according to unoffi- oial advices from Athens, which say that three Turkish army corps under command of Djemal Pasha are en- gagged in the movement. A Cairo de- spatch states that British troops and warships are being assembled near the Suez Canal and that civilians are leaving the scene.
 Vienna Claims Victories
 The new Austro- German plan in { the seat, which calls for the protection of the dual monarchy from Russian invasion as the immediate object rather than the prosecution of the offensive along the Warsaw front, seems to have exerted already a marked influence on the campaign. Heavy endorsements of Germans have been sent into Hungary to assist the Austrians, and an official state ment today from Vienna reports that important victories over the Russians have been gained
 The fighting took place at the mountain passes leading into north eastern and northwestern Hungary and it is said that the Russians were compelled to -evacuate important posi- lions, after repeated and fruitless counter attacks. These reported gains for the Austrians follow their suc- cesses in BukOwina which Vienna re- gards as having crippled the Russian offensive there and rendering unlike ly the participation of Rumania in the war, al least at this time.
 Russians Repulse Attacks.
 A Russian official statement asserts that successes were won in recent fighting in Galicia, where attacks of tne Austro- German forces were pulsed everywhere. In central Poland along the Warsaw front the Germans made several violent assaults, but are said to have been driven back With heavy losses
 Australia has plans for the forma- tlon of a rifle reserve of five hundred thousand men, to be sent to Europe If the war is prolonged
 Capture French Positions.
 Berlin, Jan. 27, hy Wireless to Lon don, 3:30 D. m.--The official com munication issued today by the Ger man army headquarters staff says that the French were driven out of their positions on the heights to the west of La Creute Ferme and to the east of Heurtebise. The Germans also claim that several points of sup port were taken from the French by the Saxons and that 865 wounded Frenchmen were captured.
 The text of the statement reads:
 'ln the western theater of the war only artillery duels took place at Nieuport and at Ypres Gin Belgium).
 French Attack RcpuIsed.
 "At Guinchy, southwest of La Bassee, the enemy attempted yester- day evening to recapture positions which we had taken on January 23. He was unsuccessful and the attack broke down under our fire.
 (Continued on Fourth page.)