The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-29
Berlin Acknowledges Check In
Russian Poland.
VAST RESERVES ARE WAITIN6
Eight Millions Alone In Rus.
sian Empire.
England Has Two Million Men
Nearly Ready.

from west anu east Oc1 I1oH
reverses are reported. Germany
acknowledges a check in Rus
sian Poland but concerning the
great battle in Flanders she pre-
serves silence. The only official
word received by midday today
was from the French, who again
made indefinite claims to furth-
er progress.
Not since the struggle along
the North sea began fortnight
ago has Germany made a state
ment upon which may be based
Judgment as to the course of
events. The best information
available indicates that, not
withstanding their dauntless at
tacks and heavy sacrifices OF
life, the Germans are further
from the coast than when the
battle began.
The one great factor on which the al
lies build their hopes of an eventual
triumph apparently is according to
their claims beginning to tell. 1t IS the
almost ln6XnauSIlOIe supply OA AliSAA
that may be drawn from the vast
reaches Of the British and Russian en-
pires which are relied on in time to
crush the Germans.
The secret of the Russian
victory lies in the vastness or
the Russian empires army, which
is estimated at 100000 men, this
enabled the Russians to keep an I'M
mense reserve for every army, Chang
ing regiments frequently and uNyer
leaving the same men on the firing nne
iong enough to become stale.
Meanwhile the British who describe
the forces now on the continent, as
merely an advance guard are training
at home an army of 100000 men of
whom 600. 900 are from her colonies
Armies Are Exhausted.
Today's French statement while opti-
mistic in tone gave little specific infor-
nation. On the extreme west end OF
the battle line where the fighting mas
been fiercest there is nothing new.
London ascribes the lull of the last few
days to the fact that the opposing arm
les have been utterly exhausted by in
cessant fighting and perforce relaxed
their efforts. There is no indication,
however that Germany intends to
abandon the fight for possession OF the
North sea coast. Unofficial reports nave
it that reinforcements are being poured
in from every part along the battle
lines where they can be spared. In the
opinion of military critics the outcome
of this battle. the severest open hghtlng
Of the war, may determine whether IT
is possible for exposed columns OF in
fantry to stand up against modern in
struments of war such as the machine
gun.
To the south and east along the bat
tie line across France successes are re-
ported by the French to the south OF
Arras between the Aisne and the
Argonne and in the forest of Apre-
mont None of thu German attacks. it
is said, has been successful.
Exploits or the F,mden.
The German cruiser Emden. whose
remarkable exploits have fairly earn
ed place in history, is reported to
have performed the most daring feat
of all Disguised with a fourth smoke
stack. presumably taken from some
captured vessel, and flying the Jap
anese flag. the Emden is said to have
sailed boldly into the waters of Pc
nang. British possession in the
Straits settlement, and to have sunk
a Russian cruiser and French de-
stroyer. The Enden was reported
yesterday to have sent to the bottom
small Japanese passenger steamer.
The long list of losses on the sea
continues to grow. Another steamer
is reported to have been sunk off the
north coast of Ireland. Off Cuxhaven
n Swedish steamer was destroyed by a
mine with a loss cf five men.
No further word was received from
South Africa. although England's anx-
iety was relieved by the official state
ment last night that General Louis
Botha, commander in chief of the
Union of South Africa forces, met
promptly and effectively the emer-
gency presented by the new rebellion
He was said to have put to rout the
forces under General Christian Beyers
No word has been received, however
concerning the activities Of General
Christian DeWet. the noted Boer gen.
eral, who also has taken the field
against the forces of the Union gov
ernment.