_An Associated Press dispatch from Paris dated July 13 reports:_
Since June 27 the Germans have systematically bombarded various parts
of Arras with projectiles of all calibres, says an official
communication given out today by the French War Department.
On June 27 the bombardment was extremely violent and was executed by
six-inch, eight-inch and seventeen-inch guns, between the hours of 8
A.M. and 2 P.M., and between 6 P.M. and 7:30 P.M. The fire was
directed particularly at the citadel and neighboring streets.
On July 3, toward 6:30 o'clock in the evening, a further bombardment
took place in which incendiary shells were used, and they started a
most violent fire.
On July 5 at 4:30 P.M., the statement continues, the enemy recommenced
its bombardment of the city, concentrating its fire upon the environs
of the cathedral, more especially upon St. Vaast, the ancient Bishop's
palace, which had been transformed into a museum. Incendiary shells
set the building on fire, and the use of fuse shells from three-inch
and four-inch guns prevented our organizing to combat the fire, which
soon assumed great proportions and completely destroyed the palace.
During the night there was an intermittent bombardment.
On July 6, about 7 A.M., shells fell on the Cathedral, the roof of
which took fire, and, despite the efforts of our troops, was entirely
consumed, as were the Cathedral organs.
The departmental archives, which had been deposited in the Palace of
St. Vaast, had been placed in the cellar of the palace before the
bombardment and were saved. The sacred ornaments and part of the
furnishings in the Cathedral were removed.