POSITIONS CARRIED BY BRILIIANT ATTACK.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2329, 10 December 1914, Page 5

POSITIONS CARRIED BY BRILIIANT ATTACK.

AFTER TWO MONTHS' STRUGGLE '.-■ GERMANS. ATTACKING ON' THE YSER Paris, December 8. A communique states: "The enemy is more active on the Yser and around Ypres. Our artillery replied successfully. Our very brilliant attack which carried the Vermelles and Rutoire position marked the end of a determined two months' struggle, in which wo sapped and mined, after we had bsen expelled from Vermelles on October 25. ... "Our heavy artillery dispersed the enemy from several of their positions onthe Aiene and in the Champagne district. We gained some ground in the Argonne, in the La Grurie Wood,' andalso. north-west of Pont-a-Mousson." The Germans-have resumed the bom bardmeht of Reims by means of aeroplanes. ' ' , ' (Rec. December 10, 0.30 a.m.) London, December 9. The capture of Vermelles, (which lies about half-way in the line between Lille and Arras) was important, as it gives the French a strong position commanding a considerable stretch .of country, including Lens and Pont-a-Ven-din, where a number of; railways and roads converge, and which were used by the' Germans for provisioning the troops. The Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Massey) has received the following message (dated London, November 8) from the High Commissioner.:— Tnere was great activity by the Allies and the enemy in France yesterday, the Allies making a marked advauce. Vermelles, the sceno pf desperate fight-; ing during the last two months, has beon taken by the Jirench after a brilliant assault. . •' ' ■ \ BRITISH RECAPTURE PASSCHENDAELE. (Bee. December 9, 9.40 p.m.) Amsterdam, December 9. The , British have recaptured Passchendaele (about sis miles east by north oiTpres) - . Paris, December 9. Official.—"We have repulsed a violent attack at Santelos. A verj fierce struggle continues in the Argonne district." FIERCE NIGHT ATTACK AT DIXMUDE GERMANS REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSS, , (Rec. December 10, 0.80 a.m.) London, December 9. There was a fierce night attack at Dixmude on December 6. Owing, to the sudden massing of the Germans the Allies replied with hand grenades, and later with a counter-attaok with tKe bayonet, rushed the German Trenches, the Germans losing heavily, and leaving many dead. The Allied Fleet on Tuesday resumed the bombardment of the Belgian coast. ' : THE FRENCH CAMPAIGN IN ALSACE.. London, December 13. Berne reports that there has been, considerable cannonading during the last few days along the German-Swiss frontier, near Basle, and that there have been several encounters between the French and the Germane. All the Vosgea passee are held by the French. It is roported that strong German reinforcements are being sent to this district.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) The Swiss town of Basle, on the Rhine, is on the extreme eastern border of Alsace, about twenty miles south-east of Mulhausen, and about thirty-five inilee from Belfort, the French fortress which guards' the southern end of the frontier. • ' .____ : GERMAN STRATEGISTS BETWEEN TWO STOOLS. (Rec. December 9, 6.15 p.m.) London, December Si. The London! "Times," in a leading article, says: /'German strategy 5b falling between Awo stools. If the Germans seek success in _ the East they . must send reinforcements from the West. They won't do this, because that_ might mean a withdrawal to the Rhine, nncl their people would then learn the' truth."—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" services. BRISK BUSINESS ON THE PARIS BOURSE. ' ' ■ Paris, December 6. Brisk business was done on the Bourse, which closed with a generally, good tone.