The chronicle=news., 1915-01-18
KAISER MEN
MAIN AIN
POSITIONS
REPULSE
ALLIES

The German attack on the west
ern front has shifted northward from
Soissons and yesterday there was a
severe encounter in the region of
Albert. Today's official Berlin state
ment says that the Germans attack
ing with bayonets drove the allies
from positions northeast of Albert.
III the Scissors region there is little
activity. Several French trenches in
the Argonne are said to have been
captured.
The official statement from Paris
disputed the German claim of victo-
ries in the Argonne, saying that the
attacks were repulsed. Several minor
victories for the allies are reported
mostly in artillery engagements.
The official observers attached to
the British army headquarters de-
nies the recent report from St. Omer.
France, that the British troops had
advanced one mile near Labasseee,
capturing the German positions.
In East Prussia. SO far as the Off
cial communications show. there is
no marked change. At Berlin it is
said that attacks by the Russian
forces in northern Poland which are
attempting to advance toward the
wcs. prnssian border, wy1 lepulsed
Detailed descriptions OF the battle
along the Aisne supprementing the
brief announcement of the French
and German war offices, show that
the fighting rivalled in ferooity that
which occurred along the User canal
in Flanders when the Germans at
tempted to break through to the
English channel, although the num-
Der of men engaged was smaller. In
the suburbs of Scissors were hand to
hand encounters of the most desper-
ate nature. in which the French Mo-
roccan regiments distinguished them
selves, using their rifles as clubs
after their bayonets had been bent or
broken in the struggle.
Advices from French sources say
that the allied front. in the positions
taken up after the retreat is stronger
than ever. London suggests that the
Germans may follow up their victory
by inaugurating another forward
movement.
Berlin considers that the general
offensive movement of the allies. said
to have been ordered month ago by
General Joffre. has broken down.
Late reports from Petrograd en-
phasize the completeness of the vic
tory said to have been gained over
the Turkish rtoops Of the forces at
Kara Urgan, according to the Rus
sian war office. large numbers were
killed and the survivors were put to
flight.
In Poland the Germans again have
attacked the Russians west of War
saw, but apparently have been un-
able thus far to break through the
line of defense. In northern Poland
the Russians continue to advance to-
ward the Prussian border.
London. Jan. 1I.-IOndOn IL re-
calling that this is the forty-fourth
anniversary of the proclamation of
Wilhelm ] as German emperor and
in the British capital it is expected
that the day may bring news of wide
spread German effort to follow up
with still more important move
ment the success achieved last week
in the neighborhood of scissors.
In London it is believed that the
Germans have adopted what is vir-
tually defensive role to the west of
Warsaw-some British observers ar
guing that this has been forced upon
them by superior Russian numbers
and that these defensive tactics syn
chronize with the movements of
many thousands of Teutonic troops
from Poland to the French and Bel
gian battle field. The fighting at
Scissors, some British commenters
declare to be the precursor of the
entry of these new troops upon Wig
orous offensive, perhaps an attempt
to cross the river Aisne.
In the eastern arena of the war
the steady pressure which the ar
rival OF one million of last years
levies has enabled the Russians to
exert on the Germans. according to
news dispatches reaching London
has slowly been pushing back the
German line to the west of Warsaw.