New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-28
FRENCH BLAST
WAY TO GAIN
ABOVE ARRAS
Mines Destroy Trenches,
Which Troops Then
Occupy.
GERMAN GAS DRIVE
FAILS NEAR RHEIMS
Joffre's Troops Halt Attack
Covered by Blankets
of Fumes.
fBy Cable 10 The Tribune. J

[By Cable TO The Tribunel
London, Oct. 27.-In their advance on
! the road from Arras to Lille the French
blasted their way into the German en-
tanglements and trenches southeast of
Melville st. Vast, in the sector just
north of Arras.
Joffre's troops exploded series of
powerful mines on the enemy's posi-
tions. The trenches were destroyed by
the blasts and the infantry pushed for-
ward and occupied the excavations.
They maintained themselves here IN the
face of violent bombardment and sew
eral counter attacks.
Meanwhile the Germans, hard put IN
the Artois sector by the constant press
ure of the Allies, made new effort to
break through on the Champagne front.
East Of Rheims, where the Kaiser
troops have several times Launched
fierce attacks without success, they at
tempted another attack to-day.
Under cover of heavy blankets OF
suffocating gas, the Germans advanced
toward the French line. Against the
fumes, Paris says, Joffre's men were
able to protect themselves. The French
artillery, aided by the infantry, then
set up a barrier Of fire which the enemy
could not pass. Another attack on La
Courtine." southeast of Tahure, was
also repulsed, Paris announces.
Aeroplanes attached to the French
forces in Artois performed a feat OF
Workmanship to-day. With their ma
chine guns they succeeded In driving
back and dispensing patrols south OF
Loos. The British claim TO have brought
down two enemy aeroplanes, while the
Germans report that they have winged
three enemy aeroplanes, capturing one.
The Belgians report that the German
artillery is very active on their front,
and Sir John French tells Of heavy
cannonade east of Ypres and south OF
La Bassee Canal. Apparently the Ger
mans contemplate another attempt at
an offensive in this sector.
FRENCH OFFICIAL.
The following Communication was
issued bv the Paris War Office tonight:
After having exploded in the neigh
borhood of the road from Arras 10
Lille, TO the southeast Of Neuville-
ST. Vast, q series of powerful mines,
which destroyed the German in
trenchments and entanglements. our
troops Immediately occupied the eX-
cavations. They installed and main
tanned themselves there, notwith-
standing a very violent bombardment
and several counter attacks by the
enemy, who suffered serious losses.
We captured about thirty prisoners.
To the north Of the Aisne, in the
sector Of Roche, west Of Scissors, the
methodical fire OF our batteries has
caused heavy damage TO the organ
izations. blockhouses and shelters Of
the enemy.
Attack East of Rheims.
To the east Of Rheims the Germans
renewed on the front from La Ferme
des Marduise to Prosnes their at
tempts to attack, with the employ
ment of suffocating gases in large
quantities. Our troops were able
to protect themselves efficaciously
against the blankets Of gas coming
from the enemy trenches. They broke
down by infantry and artillery bar
rier fire the effort Of the assailants,
who were everywhere and completely
repulsed.
Spirited combats with the grenade
continued during the entire day,
without appreciable change, in the
trenches TO the north of Vile sur
Tourbe.
The afternoon statement said:
To the south of Loos our aero
planes drove back and dispersed by
their fire strong patrols of the
enemy.
In the Champagne in the course of
the night the Germans attempted a
new attack against our trenches at
LA Courtine" This attack was
checked Immediately by our infantry
fire and machine guns, and failed
completely.
BRITISH OFFICIAL.
An official communication from Sir
john French says:
Since my last communication Of
October "a the situation on our front
has remained unchanged. There have
been mining activities on both sides,
but without important results.
The enemy's artillery has been ac-
tive east of Ypres and south of La
Bassee canal. Our reply to this
Smelling has been very effective.
Our airmen brought down two Ger
man aeroplanes yesterday, one fall !
ing inside our own lines, and the /
other close behind the enemy's front /
trenches.
GERMAN OFFICIAL.
The report issued at Berlin says.
After the explosion Of a French |
mine on the Lille-Arras road al I'M
important engagement developed |
which went in our favor.
Northeast of Massiges the French |
during an attack with hand gcenades
penetrated one OF our advan. ed
trenches in one small point. They
were driven out during the evening. !
In an aerial combat Lieutenant In
gelmann shot down his fifth enemy
aeroplane. II was a Fench biplnne
carrying British officers, who were
taken prisoner. Two other enemy
aeroplanes were brought down be-
hind the lines OF the enemy. One OF