New-York tribune., 1916-07-27
Battle Lines at PerOnne as
Seen from German OBJ
servatiOn Station.
NEW STRUGGLE ON
FOR LA MAISONETTE
Kaiser's Departure for Eastern
Front Indicates Situation
Is Well In Hand.

Headquarters OF the German Armies
on the Somme, July "a (by courier to
Berlin, July 26).-Emperor William. in
his talk with the Saxon and Baden
military plenipotentiaries to-day, when
he described his recent visit to the
trenches, emphasized his discourse
with vigorous gestures. With the fresh
ness of his color and his energy he
showed plainly that his health had not
suffered under the long strain of the
war.
The Emperor's departure for the
Eastern front is taken as sign that
the responsible heads of the army con-
slider the situation on the Somme
front now well in hand and that there
is no occasion for apprehension
The correspondent spent part OF the
morning at un ari'rery observation
station near Peronne. The general
line of the opposing positions could
be traced from this point. Seemingly
almost at the observers feet was the
point of the wedge which the French
had driven against Peronne.
New Struggle for La Maisonette.
Baches, on the west bank of the
Somme, which the French for time
occupied, but which now again was in
German hands, could not be seen, as
the town lies too low in the valley,
but the height of La Maisonette,
crowned by farm buildings and little
wooded park. stood out plainly against
the backgrounds of clouds. A Homeric
struggle for its possession had been
waged for long days. It's ownership
now was shared, the Germans holding
the park. while the chateau on the
southern edge remains in French
hands.
Shells and shrapnel were seen burst
ing frequently over La Maisonette, and
new struggle for complete posses
sion Of the height, which is considered
the best advanced post for artillery
observation, evidently was about to
begin.
From La Maisonette the line ran
generally southwest to the village Of
Belloy, the corner bastion on which it
bends almost directly westward to
Soyecourt. where it enters the original
front, before the beginning Of the Of
fensive.
BarIeux Held by Germans.
An artillery observer stated that the
village Of Barleux, which the French
repeatedly had endeavored to storm,
was in German hands, while Belloy
was French stronghold, and the viii
lage of Estrees was divided in posses
sion.
The French had this morning twice
attempted to push forward the lines
here by vicious attacks with hand
grenades and bayonets, but without
success.
Barleux and La Maisonette were the
storm centres in this sector, judging
from the evidences of artillery actiy-
ity.
To the northwest the square tower
of Peronne Cathedral arose from the
valley. The Houses Of Peronne, which
ia completely in German hands and
by the river from its natu-
raj French owners, also were discern
ible. Officers who recently had visited
the city stated that Peronne was re-
markably little damaged, in view of It's
proximity 10 the battle front. All the
civilian inhabitants of Peronne have
now evacuated the city:
The battle line touches the Somme
TO the north of Biaches, runs west
along the canal to Hem, where 1t
crosses the river and swings north
ward to the vicinity Of Guillemont and
Waterloo farm. 49,.
The gains OF the Entente Allies are
roughly included between this base
line and the point of the wedge at La
Maisonette. the greatest depth. gained
being about four miles and half.