In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 305, 23 December 1914, Page 5

In the West.

IN THE REGION OF YPRES.

XUnitid Prkm Association i

London, December 21

The Sluis correspondent of the newspaper Tyd states that the Allies, assisted by the fleet and the British artillery, occupied, unopposed, Lombaertzyde, Saint Georges, and Westende, also Bixschoote, Langenmar, Paschendaal, and Morelede. The British are patrolling the village of Wes*trcosebeekte, near Paschendaal, hut definite occupation of the village depends on the issue of the fighting l in the woods in the south-west. The Germans are now concentrating as many men as possible to regain the territory lost north-east of Ypres. The Allies are steadily advancing towards Holders, on the Menin railway. The German communications are seriously endangered, owing to the British occupation of Morslede. The Sluis correspondent of the Handlsbad states that the English squadron bombarded the coast of Zeebrugge and Huyst to-day. The Germans did not respond. CALL. FOR VOLUNTEERS. BRAVE FRENCHMEN DIE WITH THE FOE. London, Decem’jer 22. A correspondent records the following incident at Epernay:—The German artillery compelled the French to retire to a section of their trenches. The commander called for two volunteers to locate the German guns. These men, armed with portable telephones, made their way to an abandoned farm, climbed to the loft, noted the situation of the Germans, and telephoned the information. The French found the range, and smashed several guns. The Germans then advanced through a wood towards the farm where the French -officers were hidden, and established their guns within thirty yards of the building. The telephone informed the commander of every movement. Still the men refused to attempt to escape, and finally announced that the Germans* were about to open fire. The last message concluded; “Don’t mind us, but fire!” The brave men were taken at their word, and the French guns sent a hail of shells, which destroyed the farm-house, and swept away friend and foe in a common ruin.

GERMAN FINANCE IN BRUSSELS.

London, December 22

Reuter’s Amsterdam correspondent states that, under German pressure, nine provincial representatives met at Brussels, and held a special tandr tag session, asserting that the Diet had agreed to issue Treasury bonds. A group of bankers undertook to advance nineteen millions sterling, payable in twelve monthly instalments. The German Governor promised that all goods would be paid for in cash if these instalments were promptly forthcoming.

TH£ ALLIES’ AIRMEN. ZEPPELIN SHEDS AT BRUSSELS BOMBED. (Received 8.45 a.m.) London, December 22. The Daily Mail’s Dunkirk correspondent has reported that the Allies’ airmen bombarded and fired the Zeppelin shod at Brussels during a night raid. They also made a raid over the German coastal position, and twelve bombs were dropped, doing considerable damage. All safely returned.

DIMINUTION IN FIGHTING.

ALLIES’ MOVEMENTS SIMPLY PRELIMINARY.

\ London, December 22

A correspondent in North France says the fighting at Nieuport has diminished in intensity.' The Belgians are not attempting more, than to hold their own against the German counter-attacks at Lombaertzyde and Saint Georges. There is no foundation for the rum. our that the Allies are within two miles of Ostend.

The object of the Allies’ recent movement was to secure a footing on the further bank of the Yser, in order to make a later offensive easier. When we had no troops further advanced than Nieuport, a small German force with guns was sufficient to guard the bridgehead. The Allies’ pushing forward will lengthen the front, and make the attack easier, as there is more room for manoeuvres. A second important movement is occurring to the north of Ypres, in the region of Bixschute. Floods cover the remainder of the country. Thus the Allies’ offensive resembles two claws.

The fine weather is welcomed by all the troops.

GERMAN SIDE OF THE STORY.

London, December 22

A Berlin official message states that the French attacks at Nieuport wore repulsed. We stormed and captured the Anglo-Indian trenches between Richebourg and La Bassee, dislodging the occupants with heavy loss, and capturing 270. We captured a post and trenches at Notre Dame and Delorette. The French fiercely attacked in the neighbour-

hool of Sonain, and nenetrated our outer trenches, hut the attacks broke

down under fire, and 310 were captured. Fierce French attacks northwest of Verdun failed completely.

“BACK FROM LILLE.”

180 BRITISHERS HOLD 10,000 GERMANS FOR TWO DAYS.

(Received 9.10 a.m.)

London, December 22

The Daily Chronicle states that the Allies are gradually driving back die enemy from Lille through morasses of mud. One hundred prisoners ,vere captured on the Allies’ extreme left.

During the last few days the French stormed a farm held by German marines, many being killed and the rest captured. , One hundred and eighty British held 10,000 Germans for two days till they were reinforced. One of the best shots was killed in a clump of trees, having two rifles with a boy as loader, and he picked off 120 Germans in forty-eight hours.

FAMINE CONDITIONS IN BOU-

LOGNE AND LILLE.

GERMANY’S BAD PLIGHT.

(Received 9.10 a.m.) London, December 22,

Boulogne and Lille are foodless. The German commandant, replying to the population’s demand for food,, said England’s naval efforts to starve out Germany would not he permitted, and the latter could not do much to relieve the inhabitants. He ordered all flour to be exported to Germany, where the need was much greater than at Lille. MIDDELKERKE EVACUATED. (deceived 8.45 a.m.) Amsterdam, December 22. The newspaper Tyd states that the Germans have evacuated Middelkerke, and that the Allies’ aeroplanes are busy examining the region between the Yser and the Dutch frontier. THE ADVANCE FROM NIEUPORT FRENCHMEN’S NIGHT RAID. (Received 8.45 a.m.) Dunkirk, December 22. Tn their advance from Nieuport the Allies cleared a strong network of fortifications, many rows of trenches and houses to Lombaertz, and converted minature forts, and machine guns commanding a wide sweep. The British Fleet in aiding the infantry attack did colossal execution. Four successive shells decimated an approaching German column, and others levelled many houses, exposing the German positions. A small number of Frenchmen crossed the Passchendaile canal at night using a barge. They crawled up the bank and bayonetted the surprised Germans who were first out of the trench, The rest of the Frenchmen crossed in a barge and captured" seven other trenches.

A FIGHT TO A FINISH. ,

(Received 9.55 a.m.) Paris, December 22. M. Viviani’s declaration in both Parliamentary Chambers emphasised that it is a fight to a finish. Germany’s clumsy and futile attempt to throw upon the Allies the responsibility of the war showed she was conscious she must reckon with public opinion throughout the world.

PARIS PROGRESS REPORT.

(Received 9.55 a.m.)*

Paris, December 22

A communique states: There have been artillery duels from the sea to Lys and also on the Aisno and at Rheims. There were fierce bayonet combats, at Souain. We carried trenches extending over 1600 metres near Perthes les Hurlus. We traversed entanglements north of Malin. court, capturing trenches, and further progressed at Bois de Lagrive Tracy le Val, and also at Blangy, and repulsed several attacks ut Lahons.