Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-12-29

futile their brave defense. Many OF the
Austrian shells fell into the Servian
trenches and killed or malmed every SOL
die- in them. But dash for the position
by the Austrian infantry brought the
usual hail Of small arms and machine gun
bullets. and added hundreds TO the pop
ulation OF the vast metropolis that Paras-
Mica has cost.
The determination OF the Austro-Hun-
garians TO take Parasnica was no less
than the realization of the Serbs that
with this position gone the fate OF Macva,
servia's richest district would be sealed.
, The struggle therefore continued with
unabated bitterness and finally was car
ried to the open country. beyond the
peninsula. The resistance OF the Serbs
collapsed after their positions near the
village OF Cxarnabara had to be aban-
doned. BY the time Yaljevo had been
taken by the Austrians the Serbs are said
20 have been completely demoralized.
Battle at Close Quarters.
The Servian acknowledgements In the
Parasnica peninsula start\ on the banks
OF the Save and extend from there q dis
lance OF about three miles, the trenches
around CEarnAbata not included. Owing
to swamps the terrain on which the bat
tie ranged is IN some places not more
than three-quarters OF a mile wide. The
Servtan trenches face northwest: the
! Austrian works in the opposite direction
and most OF the trenches show they have
been used by Serbs and Austrians In
turn. This IL indicated by a transfer of
the pRrapet from one side TO another.
some OF the bricks-the material used
generally-hRving been left where they
were first placed by the Serbs
Bomb proofs wero constructed by dig
ging a deep hole or trench and placing
heavy beams and boards over IT, over
these earth was then thrown. the whole
! providing shelter against which the
| Austrians' field artillery was impotent.
Concrete was not used. as has been
claimed, but brick was employed In lin
l ing and retaining the walls OF the deeper
trenches and covered passageways. Al
trenches and redoubts had connectine
bitches and tunnels. and by means OF
them, the Serbs. ana later the Austrians
were able to take troops from one part
OF the terrain TO another without theil
being seen.
Everywhere The men adopted efforts e
make themselves comfortable. Adjolnins
the trenches one finds small caves who's,
floor are still Uttered with straw anc
hay. upon which the men slept Will,
during the day II was fatal to show tn,
location OF a trench by the smoke OF
fire over which food might be cooked
the men seem 20 have managed 20 get 1
warm meal at night Many OF the cave
I'm the trenches. show fireplaces. Usual!
a small hole in the surface provided
chimney To prevent sparks being seei
a piece Of tin resting on four bricks wa
used az a chimney top. A large under
ground oweilIng had at least four barbe
shops and three baths--used. II is sup
posed b. the Servian officers.
Gradually the Serb inhabitants OF tn
Maeva are returning To their rulne,
homes. Timidly they await the approach
OF a stranger. and then go on their way
Little Is left of their stock. Here am
there one secs porkers on the point o
starvation and hundreds of hungry dog
waiting for the porkers 10 die. In Gear
nabara a lonely hen stood in the door Q
ruined home and further on a fe,
geese honkod IN terror. Even the prun
trees. whose fruit l. said TO be famou
: all over Europe. have not escaped IN
terrors OF war. Some OF the orchard
7 were plowed Up By artillery fire, Will
others supplied fire wood and trenc
! pilinB.