Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-25
British Line Strengthened.
Enemy Morale Worse.


Enemy Morale Worse.
North of the Somme the British troops
were not idle while the Ancre attack was
being pressed. Berlin admits tonight that
the enemy occupied 'tsome portions Of an
advanced position. which was filled with
mud and abandoned by u.s." The increas-
ing ease with which the German positions
in these two sectors are being taken by
the British leads to the conviction in
military circles here that the morale of
Prince Rupprechts troops is steadily
growing worse. The readiness with which
German troops have surrendered during
raids In the last few weeks. the weak
ness OF their counter blows, the frequent
oesertions and the lack of the spirit
which in the past made them face death
ious they are for the end OF the struggle
Expect Desperate Work.
1t would be foolish, however, to
overemphasize this feature. The heav-
lest and severest fighting of the war
remains for the Anglo-French forces,
and they expect desperate work before
the issue can be settled.
Preparing necessarily for the great
offensive that may come sooner than
any one expects, the French troops
continued their minor operations last
night and today. The lines taken by
the Germans in the Champagne on
February Is were again subjected to
violent attacks. which Berlin states
were repulsed. On the west bank of
the Meuse, near Avocourt, the French
troops penetrated the enemy's first line
trenches, but were unable to hold their
gains in the face Of furious counter
assaults. German lines were also en-
tered in the Vosges mountains.
British Claim Big Gains.
By the Associated Press.
LONDON. February "a. 1905 pm.-l
The village of Petit Miraumont, south
of the Ancre. in France. has been en-
tered by British troops as a result of
an advance southeast of Miraumont,
says the official statement from the
war Office tonight. The British line
south and southeast of Serre, north of
the Ancre. has been pushed forward on
a front of over a mile and half. The
text of the statement reads:
"AS a result of the unceasing pressure
of our troops, the enemy today vacated
further important positions on both
banks of the Ancre. We made consid- |
erable progress south and southeast of
on a front of a mile and
entered the village OF Petit Miraumont. |
We also advanced our line on a front |
of more than one and one-half miles |
south and southeast of Serre.
During the night the .enemy rushed !
one of our posts west of Lens. We re-
covered the post by an immediate coun- |
ter attack.
There has been considerable mutual |
artillery activity at intervals during the |
day and night on both banks of the |
southwest of Arras and south OF /
Ypres."
Germans Admit Retirement.
BERLIN. February "a. by wireless to |
Germans yesterday aban-
ioned parts of an advanced position in /
the Somme sector to the British, the war
office announces French attack in the
failed. The statement reads:
western front: In the Wyschette
salient there were lively artillery duels. /
On the Artois front several British
detatchments were re-
pulsed.
'.In the Somme sector the British oc
cupied some portions of an advanced
position which was filled with mud and
a aba andoned by US.
"In the Champagne the French in the
evening and at night attacked the lines
south of Ripont which were taken by
rs on February 5. The attacks failed.
"On the west bank of the Meuse
hostile detachment entered, northeast
IF Avocourt. one of our most advanced
trenches, which was cleared by coun-
ter thrust Immediately launched. We
retained prisoners"
Airdrome Attacked.
"On the evening of February a."
saws an official statement issued bv the
admiralty today. Our naval planes
lgain attacked successfully with bombs
he ardrome at st. Pol. near Dunkirk.
Hits were made on the airplane sheds
md a fire was noticed When the ma
5al planes were returning a strong
Continued on Second Page.)