In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 13, 16 January 1915, Page 5

In the West.

IMPORTANT STRATEGIC SUCCESS AT LA BASSEE. BRITISH CASUALTIES SLIGHT. ______ *■ [United Pbess Association.] (Received 8.50 a.m.) London, January 15. Reuter states that the British on Thursday captured an important strategic point at La Bassee, inflicting heavy German losses and captur- | "ing many prisoners. The British casualties were slight. THE BATTLE IN FLANDERS. AERIAL CONFLICTS IN SIGHT. Rotterdam, January 15, The battle in Flanders is confined to the artillery and aircraft. Fields have been converted into lakes, and the trenches into deep ditches, and the infantry are unable to keep in their firing positions. Despite the rain-storms, airmen on both sides make daily raids. The Germans have issued official against air raids at Aix-la-Chappelle, Cologne, Brussels, and Antwerp. Fierce battles in the air are expected when the weather is favorable.

The Germans removed the famous group, "The Day of the Cross," from the Church of the Sacred Heart at Turnhout. They are also removing electric light cables in some German cities to obtain copper, acetylene lighting being substituted. A BRILLIANT SUCCESS. WON AT THE POINT OF THE BAYONET. (Received 9.5 a.m.) . Paris, January 15. The British success was a brilliant one, over a kilometi-e (over 1000yds) being gained and the Germans being driven from their strong entrenchments. The Petit Parisien says the attack •was necessary to protect La Basse, which was dominated by a hill. The British charged up the hillside and fought for two hours with the bayonet. FRENCH REPORT PROGRESS. STEADY ADVANCE CONTINUES. (Received 9.5 a.m.) London, January 15. A communique states: We progressed near Lombartzyde and Becelaire. Zouaves by a brilliant bayonet attack (took positions near the Arras and Lille road. In the same region our artillery silenced the enemy's batteries, wrecked two guns and blew up an ami munition depot. The Germans, entered the village of St. Paul, northeast of Soissons, but we recaptured it irnmediajtely. We also destroyed German bridges; at St. Nuhil. The Germans were thrown back south of Senones. THE MERCIER INCIDENT. ' - » London, January 15. The Daily Telegraph's Havre correspondent says the Pope's reply to King Albert was most cordial. He stated that he did not regard the Mercier incident as grave, and considered it closed. The corresponent adds: Cardinal Mercier is still under arrest, guards being posted at the doors of his palace. (Received 8.50 a.m.) London. January 15. The Mail, correcting the Daily Telegraph, says: The Pope does not eon-

sider this grave incident as in any way closed. .. THE CENSORSHIP OF NEWS. Paris,, 15. The Parliamentary Socialist party is tabling a resolution demanding a less rigid censorship of news. _________ j GERMANS PARTIAL SUCCESS." NO BEARING ON THE GENERAL OPERATIONS. Paris, January 15. Official.—The enemy's attacks northward of Soissons have been checked. A damaged bridge 'compelled us to disable and abandon some guns. The Germans took some prisoners, notably wounded,: whom in retreat it was impossible to remove. We captured a number of unwounded members of seven different regiments. The enemy scored a partial success, which cannot affect the general operations.

%ENERAL. Paris, January 15. Official: The French troops, by a sudden coup, destroyed recently-con-structed German trenches north-west of Touguescourt, and north-west of Roye. The Gaulois states that the Germans are prepared to defend Lille street by street. Cement trenches have been constructed, and four naval guns placed in commanding positions. Rotterdam, January 15. The Germans' attempt to move new guns to the coast had to be abandoned. The guns sank to the breechblocks in the mud.

An epidemic of fever is causing the Germans anxiety. Attempts to isolate the patients interfere with the movements of troops.

COAL FOR GERMANY. Timm and Sydney Sun Slavics*. London, January 15. Coal won by forty thousand- minors at Mons, Liege, and Charleroi is being sent to Germany. "TOMMY" DOES HIS DUTY. Timeb and Sydney Sun Sebvioeb. London, January 15. A "Tommy" at the front writes: "I made something of a name for myself by refusing to" allow General Joffre to enter the house used as headquarters because he was without a permit from our General, whose orders were to allow nobody, to enter without a permit. General Joffre was not upset, but went with his aide, who was upset, to our General and obtained the necessary permit.