The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-02-13

IN their EFFORT TO assume an offensive
IN the Dvinsk region by the mild
wea cher. which threatens TO inundate
their trenches In the marshy ground.
IRON Flanders 70 Alsace spirited
encounters are taking place. The CEN
tsrs OF the hardest fighting are in
the Artols aud south OF the Somme,
whore the French are giving the Ger
mans no respite In their efforts to re-
cover the positions taken by the
kaiser's troops In their recent smash
Ing assaults.
The, advance made by the French in
the sector to the northeast OF the
Butte du Mesnil in the Champagne
WAS preceded by heavy artillery IRE.
after which the French artillery
column charged, using hand grenades.
A counter attack by the Germans
was completely repulsed. the French
taking prisoners one officer and sixty
four msn.
mans made several attempts to cross
the User canal near Steenstraete and
I1ct-Sas but were repulaed. The Ger
mans renewed their attack In the Cham
payne. but were unable to recover the
Rround taken by the French. An at
lack by the Germans on the position
of the British near Pilkem, In Belgium,
gave the attackers q footing in the
trenches. but bombing parties soon
drove them out again. Two additional
road were repulsed.
Italians in Albania.
italian forces have appeared In the
Balkans. hehting their first battle In
the new theater near Tirana, attacking
me Austrians on the heights neG! that
Albanian town. According to Austrian
aero scouei italian forces In large num-
bers have concentrated near Durazzo,
and II is believed In Vienna that a de-
eisive battle in Albania between the
Austrian and Italian armies IL near.
A dispatch from Rome received IN
Paris says the strength OF the Aus
trian force now marching upon Duraz-
20 vs. estimated at $1,000 men. The rest
OF the invading arny, the dispatch
states, is engaged Ia guarding the coun-
try behind the advancing troops.
Tho allies are strengthening their po-
sition around Salonild In preparation
for eventualities. The Vardar. north
the French, who have encamped on
the right bank Of the river.
Advance in Mesopotamia.
The columns under Generals Aylmer
and Campbell. marching to the relief
of the British troops surrounded by
Turks and Arabs at Kut-el-AInara,
has advanced twelve miles along the
banks OF the Tigris river, despite the
stout opposition OF the Turks and In
terference Of hurricanes with military
operations. The British forces captur-
ed the positions held by the Turks five
miles above Sheik Saad after two
days Datlle. the Turks losing 5000
dead. wounded. or captured.
ROME, Feb. 13.--French Premier
BRAND left Rome last night for the
Italian front, where he will hold an
important conference with King Victor
and General Cadorna.
As result OF the French premier'a
visit. II Is officially announced that the
allied governments have agreed TO hold
joint military and political council
In Paris. This meeting It fs stated,
will be preceded by a Joint conference
OF the allied general staff
dispatch from Paris asserts that the
announcement In the French capital
that the council would be held in that
city was hailed with the greatest en-
thusiasm as an indication OF the recog-
milton or French supremacy In the
management of the allies activities in
the war. bothsmilitary and diplomatic.
1t Is said to be regarded In Paris as
the promise OF the end of British
bungling" In European diplomacy, such,
II Is pointed out, as Is charged In nego-
tiatlons with the Balkan powers and
Italy. The visit OF the British secretary
for war to the Balkans without effec-
tive achievement for the allies. and the
present visit OF Premier BRAND 10 Italy,
which has resulted In the broadening OF
Italy's military activities. are contrast
ed by Paris newsnapera HfN