The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-01-05
FRANCE


PARIS, Jan. 5.--Althoush the wealth
er is improving, there has been only
minor fighting along the northern
battle front. Latest reports indicate
the Germans are concentrating for
new offensive to the east and south
east Of Ypres and Labassee. Fresh
troops have been brought up, support
ed by artillery and It is believed that
as soon as the inundated area freezes
solid a forward movement will be at
tempted.
Meanwhile the fighting continues in
Aisace. In the vicinity Of steinbach
positions have been taken and retak'
en- az many as half dozen times.
The latest reports received Indicated
a substantial gain for the French
troops. However, both sides are be-
ing strongly reinforced and there are
indications that the fighting IN this
vicinity has only begun. Intensely
cold weather Is interfering seriously
with operations. 1t is almost impos-
sble to move artillery through noun
tain passes and as result, most OF
the fiohsina is now confined to infan-
try encounters.
Along the heights Of the Meuse tho
artillery duel continues without inter-
ruption. Both sides are So strongly
entrenched that frontal assaults by
infantry are out o. the question.
Advices from the front in Aisace to-
day show that the fighting is ncreas-
ina and that the Germans are being
pressed back at several points. The
Germans have lost very heavily in a
series Of counter attacks in which
they have been repuised with very
heavy losses. Fighting was In pro-
gress at several points throughout
last night, the troops taking advan-
taae Of light from the burning woods
and houses. The light from the burn
ina house, Of cernay which has been
shAIled, u declared TO have lighted up
the surrounding territory. The Ger.
man assault intended to regain the
territory taken by the French last
night Is reported today to have failed.
The French artillery shelIed the Ger.
man infantry, killing and wounding
many.
A large building used az temper
ary hospital between Aspach and
MicheIbach (south Of cernay) was
bcmbarded and set on fire by the Ger
mans. Fortunately most OF the pa
tIents were removed before the fire
gainel headWay.
AdvIces from Basil say the rumor
that Aitkirch had been fired, is un-
true although fighting Is In progress
there.
ION TO THE RHINE"
Isv William Philip Simms, United
Press staff Correspondent
PARIS, Jan. 5.-Occupation Of
new position in AIsace and important
gains Of territory in the north by tax
ina advantage Of unpreparedness OF
Germans who were not expecting an
offensive movement while the weather
continued bad, were announced here
this afternoon. At the same time II
became known the Belgian artillery,
which has been reorsanized, was again
In action. The gains in the north are
important. They range from 200 to
500 yards on the dunes at Nieuport
and east Of ST. Georges. The Belgian
artillery has been used to silence the
German guns in this vicinity.
Determined attempts on the part OF
German sappers to mine the French
positions to the west Of Lens were
prevented by Smelling the German fo-
sitions with short range heavy NOR
tars which literally blew their
tire inches to pieces. The Germans were
more successful near Lille, destroying
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