The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-12-05
THROW DOUBT ON
RUSSIAN CLAIMS
Berlin Observers Say German
Situation in Russian PO-
land Has improved.
SLAV VICTORY NOT OFFICIAL
Cars People Demanding Confirmation
of Reported Defeat of Germans
Little Movement in Belgium
SerVia Fights On.
--latest DISPATCHES.

Berlin.-Military observers here ex-
press the opinion that the success of
General Mackensen's army near LODI,
in Russian Poland, apart from the
enormous number of Russian prison
ers taken, has served to further i'm
prove the German-Austrfan situation
in the east.
The most important event of the
fighting, army officers point out, was
the destruction by the Germans of 100
cannon, which the Russians will be
unable to replace without the great
est difficulty While the approach of
new Russian achievements has de-
layed a decision, the fact that those
reinforcements come from Warsaw
will give the Germans a chance, mill
tary men assert, to attack the oncom-
ing forces before they can combine.
The continual calling forth of new
and large reinforcements show. it is
said, that the Russians are aware of
the seriousness of their situation. LO-
cal military critics believe that de-
cision is very near. They warn the
public, however, to remember the
enormous number of soldiers engaged
and the great length of the battle
front, which, although the situation is
favorable for the Teuton allies, may
delay decision for a long time
Russia Also Demands News.
Russians are now clamoring for Of
fetal information of the great victory
which the troops of the car have
gained over the Germans in Poland.
Every new detail causes the extent
of the victory to grow in Importance
Not only has the army of Gen. Won
Hindenberg been crushed and the
forces divided, it is declared, but the
army of General Makensen, which
went to Won Hindenberg's relief, has
also been met and defeated.
The German front south of Flock is
declared to have been cut in two The
Russians have driven a wedge in the
German line between Flock and Lo-
wicz, it is stated. The southern half
of the army is endeavoring to cut its
way through to join the German force
further to their right, from which they
are cut off They are virtually sur
rounded on all sides. The other half
of the divided army is vainly endeav-
oring to fight its way out of the trap
into which Gen Won Hindenberg was
led by striking toward the north.
servian Battles Go On.
Heavy fighting in northwestern Ser
via continues, says a dispatch to the
Havas Agency from Nish. Encoun-
tiers on the front, extending from Laz-
arevatz to -Nfontza on November 81,
are described as particularly desper-
ate, especially on the Servian left
wing. The outcome of this battle is
still undecided.
Czernowitz Is Evacuated.
An official Austrian dispatch sent
by Reuters Vienna correspondent by
way of Amsterdam, admits that Ger
nowitz, the capital of the Austrian
province of lBukawina, has been evac-
uated by Austrian troops.
French Block All Attacks.
The French war office says that
the slackening of the artillery fire of
the Germans was noted all along the
line in Belgium. Two infantry at
tacks directed against the heads of
bridges which had been thrown down
on the right bank of the User to the
south of Dixmude were easily re-
pulsed.
There was no other engagement on
thesrest Of the front in Belgium and
as far as the Disc, nor was there any
action on the Aisne or in Champagne
Nevertheless, Reims was rather VIC
lently bombarded during the time that
a number of Journalists from neutral
countries were making a visit to the
city.
British Lose Another Boat.
Striking a mine off Grimsby at the
mouth of the Humber river. near Hull,
the British collier KhartOum was
blown up. a report from the British
admiralty announces. The crew was
saved. but the Khartoum went to the
bottom.
Holy War Proclaimed.
The proclamation of a holy war, an
nounced for the first time some ten
days ago. has just been published at
Constantinople 1t is signed by the
sultan and twenty-eight Moslem
priests and calls on the Moslem world
to participate in a holy war against
Great Britain, Russia and France