In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 14, 18 January 1915, Page 5

In the West.

THE FIGHTING AT SOISSONS. United Press (Association. Paris, January' 16. Details of the, Soissons engagement show that the French made a resolute advance along the Bethune road, and reached a farm, where they encounteied a perman division. The French sharp attacks, and flung themselves with desperate courage on the lower slopes of spur 132, until counter-attacks forced them to iall back on Crony Meanwhile the French attempted tj> scale the eastern ridge of the Pierriere plateau, but ■were thrown back under a withering Gorman fire. Fighting on spur 132 was resumed on Wednesday, when two ‘ thousand Germans were killed, and many taken prisoners. The Germans re-grouped their forces, and debouched in the Chivres valley, outnumbering and outflanking the French. The flooding of the Aisno destroyed a bridge at Missy, preventing French reinforcements arriving. A oridge was iiastny reconstructed, enaoliug the i< reach, to retreat. The Germans occupied the vinages on the ngJit bami, out wem umune to cross, irencn artillery sweeping the plain of Venizei. A ganant struggle continues at Soissons. Uno regiment re-crossed tile river and daslieci at tne German lines. Fierce lighting occurred lor hours, but tne r reucn were compelled to retreat. Only ten of ea.cn company answered tne roli-call. Other regiments supporting renewed tne attack, and lost heavily. The Frencii artillery drove back the Germans attempting to cross the Missy.

GERMANS CLAIM GREAT SUCCESS. Paris, January IG. Replying to the Herman otlicial wireless, declaring that the French reverse at Soissous can only be compared to the French defeat at Gravelotte (west of Metz) in 1870, and that a thousand French were hilled, and 5200 captured, it is semi-oflicially announced that tlxe French forces consisted of three brigades, and their retirement was carried out unmolested. BOMBARDMENT OF SOISSONS. Paris, January 17. The Germans violently bombarded Soissous on Thursday. Fires broke out in all parts of the town, and the tower and portico of the Cathedral were completely destroyed. Shells killed many children. The Germans are keeping men, women, and children in the quarries as hostages, forcing the women to go to Soissous for proFRENGH TRENCHES CAPTURES.

Amsterdam, January IG. A German communique -•tii'n-j We repulsed attacks north-west of Arras, and counter-attacked and captured two trenches, making prisoners of the defenders. The French evacuated La Hoisolle farm. OSTEND BARRACKS BOMBED. London, January 17. The Daily Chronicle’s correspondent at- Calais reports that nine aviators bombed the railway barracks at Ostend, doing considerable damage. The police at Dunkirk arrested a hundred, and forced 2500 strangers to leave, the town, owing to spies donning French and British uni forms.

operations near ypres. t Paris, January 16. A German force in a mass moved against the North Staffordshires near Ypres, but became bogged in the mud, and made an easy mark for the British riflemen. The enemy retired with heavy losses, and essayed to attack further northwards. They met a withering lire from the British trendies, and then a Canadian regiment, shouting, “For Canada and Old England!” charged with the bayonet. Tho Germans broke and fled. Trench after trench was captured, until Gorman artillery checked the pursuit. Tho ground gained extended over a mile. INUNDATION AT YPRES. Amsterdam, January 16. Five hundred more metres west of ipres have been inundated. The Bel. nave accordingly been able to evacuate those positions enabling many to be sent southwards. DARING GERMAN AVIATORS. limi AND OXDNK* BUN tSBIiVIUHI. London, January 16. The Times correspondent, describing mo air raid on Dunkirk, says: The German airmen took no notice of the anti-aircraft guns. They dropped bombs and then contemptuously returned across the line of lire, proving that the guns were as useful as the shooting of mosquitoes by peashooters at 101) yards range. A PEACE CONFERENCE. , ilMna and Sydnkv Bun SERVICE*. (Received S.U a.m.) London, January 16. Tne peace conference organised by Dyuisn Socialists, and usually held m Herne, opens in Copenhagen on Sunday. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, ,Switzerland, and Holland will bo represented. TREATMENT OF BELGIAN CLERGY. CONSECRATED RELICS TRODDEN UNDER FOOT.

iiuKa and Sydney Sun Bkevioib. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, January IG. '1 he Times publishes a list of fortyfour Belgian clergy killed by German soldiers. JVlauy were tortured, while a score were shot. The consecrated wafers and relics were thrown to the winds and trodden under foot. ‘THE VIRTUE OF THIS WAR IS TENACITY.” liutfii and Mydnky Bun Slavics*. (Received <S.O a.m.) London, January IG. -M. Dos Chenal, speaking in the French Chamber of Deputies, said: The virtue of this war is tenacity. The Dual Alliance has put forth its full effort, and the Triple Entente has not, but the decisive moment has not vet a rived.