New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-13
FRENCH WEAKEN
GERMANS WEDGE
SOUTH OF TAHURE
Claim Progress in Thrust
to Straighten Front in
Champagne.
TEUTON GUNS SHELL
ADVANCED POSITIONS
Violent Bombardment Around
Souchez and Massiges Is
Maintained.

London, Oct. i2.-While the heavy
guns OF the Germans are seeking to
build wall of fire in front Of their
weakened positions In Artois and
Champagne the French are straighten-
ing out salients and loosening wedges
in both sectors before they attempt
new advances.
In Champagne, where the Germans
hold a strong position projecting into
the French front between Tahure and
the Maisons de Champagne Joffre's
troops are pushing on. Paris reports
progress In the direction Of the gully
of La Goutte, south of the village of
Tahure and bordering on the German
salient.
In Artois Berlin talks Of strong at
tacks by the enemy from the northeast
Of Souchez TO the east Of Melville,
where another salient, with its apex at
Hill 40, exists. Here the French are
apparently trying to advance their
front north and south Of the hill before
new thrust is launched at Vimy and
the railway to Lens.
Meanwhile the Germans continue
violent bombardment Of the advanced
French positions Heavy firing is re
ported by Paris IN the Maisons de
Champagne and north Of Massiges, in
Champagne, and northeast Of Souchez,
IN, ~ fc no bo oh
continue their attacks north of Arras.
GERMAN OFFICIAL.
The statement given out by German
Army Headquarters said:
North Of Arras the French con-
tinued their attacks. Two local at
tscks made against the trenches
which we recaptured TO the south
west Of Loos on October were re-
pulsed.
Strong attacks against our front
from the northeast of Souchez to the
east of Melville broke down in places
with severe loss TO the enemy. Only
at places did the French reach ouT
first line.
In the Champagne French attacks
on both sides OF Tahure ended in a
serious setback for the enemy.
In spite of strong artillery prep
sratlon the enemy yesterday after
noon nowhere succeeded In gaining
ground. An attempt made by him
early this morning 70 break through
al the same place but also failed.
FRENCH OFFICIAL.
The statement issued at Paris this
afternoon said:
Fighting continued last night along
the trenches that we conquered yes
terday to the northeast Of Souchez
and on the heights Of La Fole. The
number of prisoners In our hands
reaches the total OF 100.
The only incident reported from
the remainder of the front is vio-
lent bombardment, In which both
sides took part, in the Lorraine dis
trict, not far from Reillon and
Anoerviller.
The statement issued tonight said
The enemy this afternoon very vio-
lently bombarded the trenches which
We took from him by our action Of
yesterday to the northeast of Sou
chez. The number of prisoners we
took in the course Of that action was
165, of which three were officers. The
Germans have suffered heavy losses.
Cannonading, characterized by in
tensity on both sides, has been going
on to the south of the Somme, In the
region Of Pilloloy and Piennes, and on
the Asne front on the plateau Of
Nouvron. The enemy having again
dropped shells on Scissors, we re-
piled effectively against his trenches
and batteries.
In Champagne our progress con-
tinues in the direction Of the gully
Of La Goutte, which we dominate 70
the west on somewhat extended
front.
The enemy resumed the lombard
rnent Of our positions in the direc-
ton of the Maisons De Champagne
and to the north of Massigcs.
An attempt at an offensive in Lor-
raine against one Of our advanced
posts near the Pont de Mauhoue was
completely checked by our Smelling
and barrier fire.
In the Nosges, after AL intense