South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-16

uduktBbu ny pIoJSCllleSs w WOuiuth
French soldiers had to be carried
from one Of the temporary hos
pitaIs A report was current here
that the Germans might try TO
debOuch across the Aisne to the
south bank and capture Scissors,
but such an attack, it was said
at the war office, would undoubt-
edly end in failure for the invad
ers who would have to suffer
enormous losses in the attempt.
PARIS, Jan. 16.-The Anglo
French forces that made gains along
the canal Of LaBassee, between Arr as
and Lille, and the Germans who ad-
vanced northeast Of scissors, on the
north bank Of the river Aisne, are
having the utmost difficulty in forti-
flying their positions because of the
water-soaked condition OF the ground.
1t is almost impossible to dig tenable
trenches at some points in the area
OF captured ground
Recent rains had soaked the earth
so thoroughly and flooded all the
streams to such an extent that the
trenches, in some places, caved in
upon the men.
The soil around Cufies, Crouy.
Vregny and Hin No. 1872, northeast
Of Scissors, is a composition Of clay.
very hard TO handle, when it gets
wet through.
Shell German Positions.
The French artillery stationed on
the south bank Of the Aisne between
Vlo-sur-Aisne and Cormicy, has been
carrying on a violent bombardment
of the German positions, throwing
their shells across the flooded waters.
Ii was supposed here that this can
nonade was the prelude TO a series Of
fierce counter attacks by the French.
Gen Joffre's forces are still handi-
capped on the Aisne by the flooded
condition of the river which makes
IL difficult for the men to cross. The
usually sluggish stream is high and
swift and sappers who try 10 build
pontoon bridges, work under a double
difficulty. First, they have got TO face
"a hot artillery fire from the German
guns; secondly they have to contend
against a treachercus current and a
stream filled with floating debris.
Unusual interest is attached to the
official military dispatches telling of
French attacks at ALLY. south of St
Mihiel on the Meuse and the destruc-
ton OF German foot bridges at that
point This shows that the German
fOothold on the western bank of the
Meuse south Of Verdun is getting
more and more precariOus. The
ETenCn nave DuSueQ loIWdIu luEAl
lines until they can carry on con-
tinuous bOmbardment against the
German trenches. If the Germans
are forced 10 retreat across the Meuse
at st. Mihiel IL Will release a French
force of Approximately $4,000 men for
operations in upper Alsace or against
the Germans in the WOevre district
In addition to this il would remove all
danger 10 the forts guarding Verdun
on the sOuthwest-the south and the
southeast
Artillery Shifts Positions.
Violent fighting continues i'm Cham
pagne, around Mesnil. Perthes and
Beausejour. where part of the army
OF the German crown prince is en-
gagged.
the French and British artillerymen is
compelling the German artillery to
shift its positions constantly. The
Germans have great difficulty in NOV
ing their guns through the Flanders
low lands, where the wheels sink into
the soft mud 10 the aXles.
The following interesting dispatch
was received from st. Omer IN north
ern France:
When Princess Patricia's Canadian
light infantry went into action against
the Germans the regimental standard
bearer carried a flag the Colors of
which were worked by Princess Pa
tricia herself The Canadians cover
ed themselves with glory in their first
action and may already be classed as
seasoned veterans"