Evening star., 1915-03-11
BRITISH CAPTURE
NEUVE CHAPELLE
UNDER HEAVY FIRE
Greatest Advance for Allies in
I Northerf France in Sew
eraI Months.
GERMANS DECLARE FOE
HAS LOST As, 900 MEN
Complete Defeat for French in
Champagne Region Reported
From Berlin.
NEW ATTEMPT ON PRZASNYSZ
Annihilation of Russians Claimed,
But Petrograd Announces Defeats
for Teutons-ossowetz
Battle Goes On.
GERMANS DECLARE FOE
HAS LOST As, 900 MEN
NEW ATTEMPT ON PRZASNYSZ

LONDON, March 11.-Undel
cover of the fire of heavy French
artillery, British troops have cap
tured Neuve Chapelle, north OF
La Bassee, in an advance of three
quarters OF a mile, capturing all
Intervening positions of the
>nemy.
This success, including the TAX
g of 900 prisoners and several
lachine guns, makes it the most
,ansiderable advance reported
rom the north of France for sew
eral months past. This advance,
ii made in force, is strategically
oi great importance, as the posi-
ton commands the road between
La Bassee and Lille. Further
more, it makes the German hold
cn La Bassee insecure, and gives
a base for operations for the
Strengthening Of the allied lines in
front Of Lille.
Battle Continues, Says Berlin.
..lfhs,,xa admitting that the British
:o-ces have entered Neuve Chapelle. the
,erman general staff declares that the
.shting at this point continues The
british advance near Givenchy Is de-
{ ared to have been repulsed.
That the fighting in the Champagne re-
s!on has been Of the deadliest sort and
has been almost continuous since the
middle of February Is indicated by both
french and German statements Of today.
Germans claim that during the almost
!ncsssant engagements in recent weeks
and which have resulted in complete de-
feat for the foe. the French have lost
fully II, 900 men in this district, while
more than 3,54o wounded prisoners and
thirty-fve officers have been taken
While making claims Of great losses for
lie enemy. Berlin states Specifically that
Inc Teutonic casualties have been great.
caring out the French assertion that
sUise of the best units of the German
my have been decimated
French Attacks Held Futile.
according to Berlin the French have
delivered two fierce attacks against the
rositions in the forest Of Souain which
we're taken from them the day previous,
but that these attacks have been futile.
This British advance at Neuve Cha
pelle was unexpected, as lately the
principal activity reported from the
British front has been in the direction
of the other end Of the line near
Ypres.
The British are now within two
miles of the furthermost point gained
by Gen. Sir Horace L. mith-Dorrien
last October when. with one army
corps, in an effort to gain Fournes, on
the road between La Bassee and Lille.
he forced his way as far as Abuers.
Chapelle. but after desperate fighting
against tremendous odds was forced
10 retire
NsW Attempt on Przasnysz.
regrouping of the German forces
In northern Poland and the commence
meut Of q new attempt upon Przasnysz
has been noted by the general stan OF
the Russian army.
siderably greater strength than waa
the recent operation in the direction
of Przaanysz. which terminated in not
only local defeat for the Germans but
in the general retirement of ALI the
German forces in the direction of their
own frontier.
Russians Annihilated, Is Claim.
.nnihilation of Russian forces at
tempting to break through the German
lines south of Augustowo rs claimed
by Berlin. In an engagement to the
northeast OF Os;rolenka the Germans
say they were also victorious. six Off
GERS and 900 soldiers being captured
German attacks TO the north and to the
northwest OF PrzasnysL have made
further progress it is reported. while
n the fighting northwest of Novo-
rnissto 1850 more Russian prisoners
have been taken.
TIC discontinuance of operations
along the Niemen river makes IL pos
=ibie for the Germans to send a large
number Of troops from this district to
reinforce the men advancing from
i+oriile iii the general direction OF
Niavs and Przasnysz. This transfer
as usual. has been effected With light
ninGlike speed by means Of the Ger
railroads. and III forces in this
reighborhood have been further aug
mented by drafts OF the new 1915
recruits.
Having accomplished resroupinx of
tho forces. and leaving only enough men
in the AuEustowo district to protect the
left flank Of the German army besjeeine
Osscwetz. an important battle already i.
under way on long front rkralleline
rhe Narew river.
One of German Motives.
one of the German motives. OF thi.
new alignment Of forces undoubtedly i.
10 strengthen their position before Os
sowetz, it is declared. In the absenc.
of ofhcial information concerning Os
sowetz. 1t is assumed that this engage
ment Is still going on without decision
having been reached. Furthermore. it i:
MT improbable that in the near future
tAs battlefield in the vicinity o