Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-10
FLANDERS. FAIRLY SAFE
FROM GERMAN ATTACKS
When They DO Materialize, It Is Be-
lieved VIII BE Directed More
at French Centres.
Allies RESUME INITIATIVE Il q ], Z
Able to Organize md Consolidate
Positions Won During Past Few
Days-Converging Teuton Move
ments on Warsaw Probable.

LONDON. December 9.-The victory
oft the Falkland Islands. where tho
British squadron sank the German
cruisers Scharnhorst. Gneisenau and
Leipzig. and the success OF the Indian
troops on the Gulf of Persia, where
they compelled surrender OF n Turk
ish army, have for the moment over
shadowed, so far as England Is con-
,cerned, the larger events which have
taken place on the Continent of Eu-
rope. .
The sinking ofethe German cruiser.
materially lessons the menace to Brit
ish shipping, while. the success of the
Indian forces gives Great Britain con-
troll of the Persian Gulf and, the. delta
of the Tigris and 'Euphrates., and
threatens that part OF Turkey on which
German railway builders have had their
eyes set for many years
With this good news for the allies
comes what Is considered here as n
favorable French communication on
operations in Flanders and in France.
Withdrawal OF German troops from
the west to strengthen. their armies in
the east has enabled the allies to re-
sumo the Initiative along the front
reaching from the Swiss border to the
North Sea, and while they have not
made any marked. advance, they have
been able, according to official an
nouncement. to organize and consoli-
date positions won during the last few
days This has not been done without
opposition from the Germans. who
claim to have inflicted heavy losses,
particularly in the Argonne and north
Of Nancy.
Flanders now is considered fairly
safe from German attacks. which. when
they do materialize,it it is believed here
VIII be directed more at tho French
centres.
Russia has Mt last admitted the oc-
cupation of Lodz by,the Germans but
in an official statement to-day declared
her soldiers evacuated the city fifteen
hours before the German occupation,
changing their position without the
loss Of u single man.
1t Is apparent from the various off,
cial reports that there are conVerging
German movements on Warsaw from
the north and the centre. combined
with outffanking movements to the
southeast of Cracow. The success Of
any of these movements would require
the Russians to turn back from Cra-
COW. which they have not done thus
far AS a matter of fact, the Russians
assert that they have inflicted grave
defeat on an Austro-German force
which tried to get around their left
wing. a later Austrian report, how
ever, indicates partial success In this
region.
Reports of the serious illness of the
German Emperor. coming through Am
sterdGin. have not been confirmed. 1t
Is known the Emperor Is suffering
from bronchial catarrh, to which he
Is subject. and Is compelled to renal in
in bed. He is able. however. TO receive
military reports.
As the result OF the Sultan's procla-,
nation of holy war. serious upris-
ing is threatened against the Italians
In Tripoli. and the Turkish ambassa-
dor at Rome has hastened to assure
the Italian government that the Su-
blime Porto is trying to avert 1t.
The new Servian Cabinet, composed
OF all parties. at the opening of Par
Lament to-day. assured the members
of It's intention to carry on the war to
the end. In the belief that the sacri.
fees the country has made will be rec
ognized by tho allies sxhen tile war is
ended. The. reorganized Ssrvian army
under King Petor now is making u
stubborn estnnd:against tho further adj
vance of the Austrians. and. according
to Nish reports. has Indicted heavy
losses on the invaders.