Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-15
FRENCH DEFEATED
BY GERMAN ATTACK
They Are Driven From Positions
by Terrific Onslaught of
Won Kluck's Forces.
KAISER WITNESSES VICTORY.
Paris Admits Disaster to Arms,
but Mininizes It's Possible
Effects.
KAISER WITNESSES VICTORY

LONDON. January l4.-Disaster to
the French arms came twofold on the
Aisne. according to official reports
from Paris and Berlin to-day.
BY n terrific counterattack under the
eyes of Emperor William, and led. 1t
Is reported, in person by General Won
kluck. the Germans assailed the
heights of Vregny. to the northeast OF
Soissons. and entirely cleared the
plateau of the French forces. captur-
ing fourteen French officers and I.l3o
men with four cannon. four machine
guns and searchlight
Tho attack was made, according to
the Berlin statement. in pouring rain
and sodden clay. Trench after trench
vas taken, says Berlin. the hghting
continuing until after dark The
French finally were driven to the edge
or the plateau. IN what the German
War Office calls "a brilliant feat under
the very eyes of their uppermost war
lord"
FORCED FROM POSITIONS
By FLOODED RIVERS
Between Crouy and Missy, along the
Aisne. the French were forced by the
high waters Of the Aisne, which be-
''SSS Poihbo idS OEORen us
banks, to withdraw from their posi-
tions on the north bank Of the stream
and establish themselves on the south
ern side. The reason for their with
drawal is given by the French War
Ofice as the French commanders de-
sire to protect his lines OF communica-
ton. which the food threatened to de-
stroy. The French retain the bridge
heads on the north bank OF the stream.
making possible their return to their
former positions when the foods shall
have subsided.
The German claim Of victory on the
heights of Vregny is admitted in the
French official statement issued in the
afternoon. The communique simply
says: I'm front OF Vregny we were
obliged to yield"
But where the Germans claim gains
on the Vregny plateau, the French as
sert they were able to maintain their
lines intact In the severe engagements
localized In the region just to the north
OF Crouy. on the road leading from
scissors to Laon.
ADVANCE AND FALL BACK
DISTANCE OF THREE MILES
The French have advanced and fallen
back along this road a matter of three
miles since the lighting developed
strongly a week ago. The first range
OF hills that rise from the town. which
itself Is held by the French. are being
assailed heavily by the Germans In an
effort to drive the French back into
the town. These trenches near the
town form the French centre on this
'front.' On the immediate left, in the
open nelds. the French directed sharp
counterattack against the invaders. and
not only held their line, but were able
10 advance slightly, though the gain
was admittedly insignificant
About Crouy the German attacks
were more violent, and the task set for
the French defenders was d,fncu,t
one. but further to tho east the storm
centre OF the German attack broke I'm
tuil torce upon the right flank positions.
ana the defenders were compelled to
retire. Their withdrawal Is said to
nave oeen stubborn and orderly.
rms battle of Soissons had developcd
the most important action since the
German drive against Ypres The bat
lie Is being fought with n high degree
OF violence on fivc-lnile front-nnd I'm
'he open. 1t is war with all It's dra-
matte qualities restored
noissons Is sixty-fve miles from
Paris, on the southern bank of the
Alsne. 1t is the junction point of sew
eral important highways, the principal
one being that which parallels the
Aisne on the north bank of that stream
Three roads lead to the north: one TO
Laon; one to La I'ere. by way Of Anizv
le-Chateau, and one to Chauny, on the
oise' through Coucy-le- Chateau Late
iast week the French debouched across
the Aisne along these three highways
a1ter restoring the bridges under fire
or the German artillery.
on the western road they have ad-
'ancea as far as Cufffes, two miles
away from the stream; on the Iaon
ROAD they nave occupied Crouy and ad-
vanced and retired beyond it, and on
the third road they have made onIv
slight advances.
MEET FRENCH
ATTACKS STUBBORNLY
On the Aisne highway, the river
ROAD the Germans have met the
rrehch attacks stubbornly at Buoy,
honcei' 81. Marguerite and Missy-Sur-
I,'she. me Germans retook Moncel be-
lore their advance on Vregny heights
Thus. though the French are maintain
ing their positions on the western end
OF this front, the German nrcssur.
seems to be more effective on tho east.
threatening the French positions on the
north bank of the Aisne.
DESPERATE CONFLICT
GOES AGAINS2' GERMANS
5 PETROGRAD. January l4.-It Is
now regarded here as beyond all uues-
tion that the desperate trial OF
strength In Poland has turned against
tho Germans. Even General Won Him
denburg Is recoiling from the stu
pendous waste OF armed force. which