The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1914-12-09
TABLES ARE TURNED
ON THE RUSSIANS
Germans Succeed In OC-
Cupying City of Lodz
ALLIED FORCES
TAKE OFFENSIVE

lANC vi GlNSlVE
Tho Success of the Germans Consid-
cred II Remarkable Military Achieve.
mont. French and English Pushing
Forward their Lines in Western
Area,
London, December 7.-After long
battle, fought with the greatest stub
bornness, the Germans have succeed
ed in occupying Lodz, Poland, an un-
fortified city According to the Berlin
report, the Russians suffered severe
losses and are in retreat.
This success Of the Germans largely
because OF what preceded 1t, Is cQnsid-
cred by military experts really re-
markable achievement. Less than a
fortnight ago the army to which this
victory has fallen was surrounded by
Russians and cut it's way out only at
tho last moment, losing great numbers
of men and many guns. Yet it was
able within few days to reorganize,
take the defensive and defeat the Rus
SLAMS defending LODI.
THAT was made possible by the net
work of stragetic railways on the Ger
man side of the frontier, over which
reinforcements can be sent where they
are most needed. The Russians, on
the other hand, vigorously attacked On
both wings, were unable to send fresh
men to stiffen their centre to meet the
German wedge and were compelled to
fall back
There will be undoubtedly much
more fighting before the campaign in
this district is concluded. I.ddz was
won only after hand-to-hand fighting
in the suburbs Of the city, and the
whole Russian line from north to
south is now straghtencd out and will
contest every foot of ground with the
invaders.
In the meantime, taking advantage
of the prcoccupation Of the Germans
in the east, the allied French, Belgian
and British forces have begun an Of
'fensive movement in the west. They
are now virtually in possession OF the
left bank OF tho User Canal, and in
Northern France, particularly in the
neighborhood Of La Bassce. where the
Germans hold very strong position.
the allies are beginning with q heavy
cannonadc to feel their way east
ward.
The same process Is being followed
along the whole front. The official
statement speaks of "the superiority
of our offensive" and the marked adj
vantage" OF the French artillery over
that OF the Germans.
The advance, slight as 1t Is, In the
northwest, has ended for the present.
at, least In the opinion Of many, the
German menace of the coast parts. 1t
is believed that so long as the Ger
mans are compelled to keep up the
strength of their army in the east
they will bo unable to assume the Of
fensivo in the west. There IS re-
port, however, that the Germans have
in the Aisne Valley, whence. at an OPP
portune moment, they can hurl it
against the French lines and make an
other effort to. get through to Paris.
king Peter, OF Servia, who has been
iii for several months, has assumed
command OF the Scrvian army, and,
according to a Nish report, has check
Cd the advance OF the Anstrians, ins
ficting heavy losses on them
Tho Austrian reply to this that the
occupation of belgrade necessitatcs
the regrouping OF Our troops"
The political news Of the day was
the authoritative announcement from
Sofia that It was not considered pos
sible anything would intervene to
make it necessary for Bulgaria to
change her policy Of strict neutrality
until next spring.