New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-18
TEUTONS READY
FOR NEW DRIVES
ON TWO FRONTS
London Expects Often.
sives by Germans in
France and in Russia.

London, Dec. 17.-While the diplo-
mats in Greece and Rumanis are en-
gagged in new deals which will decide
the next step in the Balkan operations
there is increasing evidence that the
Germans, ever restive, are preparing
new strokes on both the eastern and
western fronts, or, at least, a concen-
tration Of their forces to strike when
conditions are propitious.
Petrograd dispatches note German
activity, particularly in the Dvinsk dis
trict, which would accord with the Ger
man ambition to reach the line of the
Dvina River. while all accounts from
neutral countries mention a continued
movement Of men and guns to the west
In the latter theatre of operations IL
seems only a question at what points
the offensive is to be taken.
Many persons believe that the Ger
mans, huving found the lines in Elan
ders and Artois nuts too hard to crack
contemplate moving in the st. Mihiei
region. where their line penetrates to
the River Meuse and where there has
been considerable activity during the
last few days.
The only thing argued against this IS
that the river has been at food, and the
French have been Systematically de-
stroying the bridges as they were re-
built. Thus far, however, there has
been little more doing than the usual
mining and bombing operations ana
aerial lighting in the west.
Berlin says that a British division
penetrated the German positions south
east Of Armentieres by surprise at
tack. but claims that the enemy was
then forced to retreat under fire of the
Kaiser's guns.
GERMAN OFFICIAL.
Berlin gave out this statement:
To the southeast of Armenteres
small British division yesterday
penetrated one of our trenches by a
surprise attack, but then retreated
under our fire. Further south SINH
lar attempt was frustrated by our
fire. Otherwise fighting activity has
been limited on account or the
weather. which frequently is hazy, 10
weak artillery and hand grenade and
mining engagements at certain
points.
uprTTcU OFFICIAL.
The British War Office issued the
following statement; >,
Last night the enemy made small
bombing attack against our line
about the auarries north OF Loos.
This attack was easily repulsed. Ar
tillery activity mas continued
throughout to-day, especially north
of lpres.
FRENCH OFFICIAL.
The French War Office this afternoon
gave out this report:
In Belgium there has been fighting
with bombs in the sector OF The
Dunes. To the south of the fort Of
Givenchy and between the Somme
and the Disc there have been some
encounters between patrols.
In Lorraine there has been fairly
spirited artillery exchanges along
the front betweel. Nomeny and Aul-
nois.
The following official communication
was issued tonight:
During the day a rather violent
cannonade prevailed on the whole of
the front.
In Belgium and in Artois our ar
tillery, in connection with the British
artillery, did some lucky firing on
the enemy trenches. In Champagne
our guns silenced the fire of severa!!
German batteries to the north and
east of Massiges. In the Argonne'
TO the north of Malincourt, we caught
under the fire Of our artillery an
enemy convoy.
Two of our bombing aeroplanes
dropped about twenty heavy she,ls
on the station Of Metz-Saolons the
night Of December 1917.
III. nof,-;ar communication saws.