In the West.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 16, 20 January 1915, Page 5

In the West.

A BRIEF COURTESY. Tiuki and Sydney Sun Bibviom. (Received 8 a.m.) London, January 19. A correspondent, in the north of Prance says that when the floods washed out the parapets of the opposing trenches, the British and Germans in full view of each other and each repaired the damage without firing a shot. THE MOTOR MEN. "WASPS OF WAR." A TERROR FOR FARMERS. Tutu and Sydnky Sun Sbbvioii. London,. January 19. A cavalry officer writes: "Motor despatch riders are the wasps of war. They sting us in action. You are just snugly between the blankets and hear a rider snorting up the road with orders. The beggars always get you on the hop." He adds: "The Germans are using old ammunition and shells marked '1892/ and many fail to explode. There will be many a farmer blown up next year when he ploughs up bombs and buried live shells."

FRENCH REPORT PROGRESS. —— | United P«ess (ABsooiATrON. (Received 9.10 a.m.) Paris, January 19. A communique states that there is less activity along the front. Many snowstorms have occurred. Another earthwork was captured at Boislepretre, where the French occupy five hundred metres of the German trenches. AT THE VILLAGE OF LA BOISELLE. Paris, January 19. Official: Wo evacuated La Boiselle, owing to the explosion of an ammunition store igniting the village Later wo counter-attacked and reoccupied the village from the enemy. We bombarded Saint Paul, and brought down and captured two aeroplanes at Ba'r-le-duc, taking the four aviators prisoners.

Snowstorms have occurred from Argonne to the Vosges.

BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR. GERMAN STORY OF A RIOT. (Received 8.40 a.m.) London, January 19. Amsterdam reports that three Bri--ish prisoners escaped at Louvain and vere re-arrested and shot. The result >f this was serious rioting in the prisoners' camp at Neerwinden, where die prisoners attacked a German ?uard and killed one man. After the uitbreak had l«>en quelled six Britishers and eight Turcos were executed.

ALLIES PUSHING ON IN BELGIUM Paris, January 19. A French eye-witness in the forces reports that since the sth January the Allies have had consolidated successes beyond the Yser, hetween Sainfc Georges and the sea. They construct*, ■d a strong bridge over the Yser to assure their communications. Zouaves on the 7th captured a hillock west of Lomhartzyde, and heat off counter-attacks. The Germans have since abandoned the attempt to dispute our possession of the bridge

head. Though the Yser stopped the great German offensive in October and .November, it has not stopped ours. On the 15th the Allies gave the British useful assistance at La Bassee, where they are giving the enemy no peace. After the fighting at La Boiselle on the 10th, the Germans asked for an armistice, to enable them to pick up their wounded, but the Allies refused it.

The Allies have established 'themselves in another trench south of La Boiselle. The French line in the Perthes district is now two kilometres north of the position occupied on 21st December.

A siege war continues at Bois-le-Prete, where we are progressing continually.

RESULTS IN UPPER ALSACE. Paris, January 19. Excellent results have been consolidated in Upper Alsace. During the fierce fighting on the oth at Cernay the Germans captured a trench. Our rifles were choked with mud, and it was impossible to fire. We re-cap-tured the trench on the 7th, and are now progressing further east. German reinforcements were unable to stop our progress towards Altkirck. Snowdrifts are causing enormous difficulty, but the Chasseurs Alpines are displaying magnificent bravery.

THE RETREAT FROM SOISSONS. Paris, January 19. During the retreat from Soissons the Moroccans posted at Crouy as a rearguard allowed the Germans to advance in serried masses until they entered the village. Then they opened rifle and machine-gun fire from every house. The Germans, unable to find cover, fell in heaps until the street was full of dead. They then withdrew. Later they attempted to carry the village from the eastern flnak. Throe companies of Moroccans, refusing to obey repeated orders to retire, rushed out. A frightful melee ensued. The Moroccans, using their-bayonets and rifle-butts, hurled tjie >( Germans back, and retired under cover of darkness.