South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-03
FRENCH TROOPS
IN AISNE VALLEY
MAKE ADVANCES
RepuISe of Violent German At
tack in ArgOnne Near Baga-
teIIe is Also Reported in
Paris Official Statement.

PARIS. Feb. 3.-The official state
ment issued at the war office this aft
ernoon claims a gain for the French
troops operating i'm the Aisne valley,
particularly near Perthes, and also
tells Of the repulse of violen, Ger
man attack ner Bagatele, in the Ar
sonne
In their warfare against the allies
in northern France the Germans are
resorting to a new device. sending
boats filled with inhammable material
which they have set on fire and ex-
plosives into the streams i'm am at
tempt 10 burn or blow up the bridges
held by the French, British and Bel
gian troops.
The official statement tells Of these
operations ON the river Encre which
flows north and west of Albert.
The official statement follows.
There is nothing TO report on the
north of the LyS between the Lys and
Disc In the sector of Nouvette.
which is west Of Lens. our batteries
silenced sharp fire 10y the enemy's 5
infantry.
The Germans launched fire boats
on the river Encre. Before Aveluy.
north of Albert, these engines Of de-
struction were stopped by us before
any explosion occurred
Our artillery has continued To Sc
cure excellent results in the valley OF
the Aisne. We have advanced slightly
taking some prisoners and repulsing
a counter attack 20 the west Of Hill
No. 200, near Perthes.
In the ArgOnne, a second German
attack took place yesterday near
{ Bagatelie near p. IN. It was re-
pulsed. which took place at 3 p. IN.
Calm prevailed yesterday on the
front from the Meuse to the VOsges.
In Alsace we are fOrtifying our posi-
I. tiOns on the ground gained 10 the
south of Ammertzweiller."
Operations Grow More Intense.
With clearing weather operations
on the battle front in France, West
Flanders and Alsace-LOrraine are as
suming bigger scale and a height
ened degree of intensity. The attack
delivered by German infantry on the
Aisne indicates q renewal OF hostili-
ties on an extensive scale IN the tri-
angle formed 10y the junction OF the
Oise and Aisne rivers. German at
tacks at St Paul, which We're repulsed
with severe losses. were directed
against the French position IN the
forest of st. Mard. east OF Scissors.
where a heavy amount OF French ar
tillery was massed.
The French troops lying west of
Muelhausen have resumed their att
tacks and progress is reported at
Burnhaupt.
Thanh, in Upper Alsace. was badly
damaged 10y the fire set by German
shells.
In the region of Arras and in West
Flanders the German artillery has
concentrated a terrific FIRE against the
French, British and Belgian trenches.
After a respite severe bayonet
fighting is again in progress in the
northern part Of the Argonne district.
the troops fighting at close quarters
for possession of trenches IL is be-
lieved that the German troops fight
Ing at close quarters for possession 0f
trenches. II is believed that the Ger
man troops fighting at close quarters
for possession OF trenches II is be-
lieved that the German troops IN the
vicinity of ST Hubert. four De Paris
and Perthes are being strongly rein
forced French airmen reported great
activity on the Refs behind the Ger
man lines in this region.