Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-12-19
INVASION
Of GERMANY
DISMISSED.
ALLIES MAKING SLIGHT
PROGRESS IN WEST
ERN THEATRE OF
s$ WAR.
RUSSIAN DEFEAT EXTENSIVE
But Berlin Refuses to Give Out
Details Relative to Galician
Victory.
RUSSIAN DEFEAT EXTENSIVE
BRITISH LOST DEsrRoYERs.

BRITISH LOST DESTRoYERS.
London, Dec. 1S.-Berlin reported
today that in the recent raid on the
English coast the British lost two de-
stroyers and another was heavily
damaged. The admiralty also an
nounced that the British destroyer,
which engaged the German squadron,
losing two killed and Is wounded.
Londcn, Dec. 1S.-Although there
seems no doubt that the Russians are
retreating, for he present any antici-
patton of the Allies held of an early
invasion of Germany must be dismiss
ed. Considerable mystery surrounds
reported decisive victory by the Ger
mans which Berlin celebrated last
night. Vienna gives few details Of
fighting in the east. claiming the beat
en- Russian main force is being pur-
sued along the entire battle front of
ESQ miles from Krosnc, Galicia. to the
mouth of the Bzura. river, Poland, but
silence is maintained, regarding North
Poland, where the German victory is
said to have been achieved.
fetrOSfaQ merely says sha4
''We thought it fit to rearrange the
positions of some of our armies" but
further advices are eagerly awaited.
Amsterdam dispatches heighten the
confusion by quoting Berlin papers
as expressing disappointment over
the fact that no names of battlefields
are mentioned and no tangible re-
suits of fighting are disclosed.
Progress Very Slow
The Allies offensive in the west
continues to progress very slowly, ac-
cording to Paris, although aggregate
gains are. claimed during the past
week and indicate considerable ad-
vance in Flanders in the vicinity of
Arras. 1t is still matter of siege
warfare Berlin says the Allies at
tacks are being repulsed with heavy
casualties. AS result Of the bonn
bardment of the English coast, the
kingdom is flooded with posters read
ing:
'A'enge Scarborough UP and at
EN-
Relief Commission Entertained.
Members of the American Commits
sion for Relief of Belgium were enter
tanned by American business men at
a luncheon club. Herbert Hoover,
chairman of the commission, spoke Of
organization, work of the commission
and the plight of the Be!gians. It is
said close harmony existed between
the commission and the National
Committee in Belgium. Describing
the latter body, he said:
'1ts patron and protector and most
ardent spirit is the American minis
ter, Brand Whitlock. for whom the
Belgian people cherish justifiable and
affection.
Hoover said the food already pro-
vided through the commission aggre-
gated in value between seven and ten
millions. "The response of the Ameri-
can people to the appeal in behalf of
the Belgians, is even greater than
contributions for sufferers of the San
Francisco earthquakes" Hoover con-
tinued.
"The commission has now enroute,
and under charter, thirty-two ships
which will provide adequate supply
food until February r." 1t was en-
phasized that the Germans are not in
terfering with the distribution Of the
fC,odstuffs. He said, '3Not one mouth
full has gone down a German throat,
and we have nothing but help from
the Germans"
Regarding the argument that under
law, the Germans should
provision Belgians, Hoover gave the
German point of view, which is that
the Belgians hitherto imported two
thirds Of their food supplies, and the
civil population still possess resources
Of credit which will be available upon
return of industrial activity
In taking the harbor of Antwerp, a
gateway was opened to the neutral
world through which the Belgians
could provision themselves. Nothing
prevents the normal flow of trade .ex-
cept the British navy, therefore the
Germans contend the moral response
bility for starvation of the Belgians
rests with the Allies. Hoover praised
the humanity of the Americans.
1t has been determined that the
United States will continue uninvolv-
ed in the controversy between the
European belligerents over alleged
violations of The Hague conventions.
The president and Bryan will make
no representations to Germany con-
corning the bombardment Of the east
coast of England by German war
ships. The subject came up through
Informal discussion in official cir
cles.
The French minister of finance, Ri
bot, informed the appropriations COM
mittee of the chamber Of deputies
that France will not lack resources
to continue the war to a finish with
out faltering. A dispatch says Tur-
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