WESTERN FRONT.

Evening Star, Issue 16033, 9 February 1916, Page 3

WESTERN FRONT.

LONDON, February 8. ■ Communiques reveal increasing activity Sn the western front. A German communique alludes to fierce artillery battles between La Bassee Canal and Arras, and also south of the Somme, The enemy artillery'violcntly bombarded Lens during the last few days. 6 Sir Douglas Haig alludes to the enemy's artillery activity at Loos. The British bombarded trenches near tho Ypres-Eou-lers railway. The ‘Daily Mail’s’ Rotterdam correspondent says there is great activity from Ypres to Nieuport, following German concentrations in that region, especially at La Bassee, where the German trenches were flattened by a bombardment. The Germans have brought many new guns opposite Ypres. German newspapers profess to foresee a renewed allied attempt in the near future to break through. Signs arc increasing more and more, especially in artillery Bctmty at Lons and Artois.' The activity ©f British patrols is most noticeable. AMSTERDAM, February 7. The recent fighting at Armontiercs resulted in a small German gain and heavy Josses in men, including many officers. They persist in the close formation, and owing to tho admirable calm accuracy of the British shooting 1,200 Germans wore killed one day. The British artillery and machine guns mowed down the German lines, but tho German commanders pay no regard to the sanguinary sacrifice when jin objective is desired. Correspondents assert that Ypres is likely to bo the location of tho offensive. A great hospital is being erected, and graveyards are being marked out. The ‘ Telegraaf’s ’ Belgian correspondents agree that the Germans are preparing for a western offensive. Enormous stores of artillery, ammunition, and guns are arriving, as the result of a month's preparation. Every place from Central Belgium southwards closo to tho main railways is full of stores and troops. The organisation has improved, and is apparently now working smoothly. Engineers pioneers, and great quantities of machine guns are being sent dose to the firing line.