The Spectator., 1914-12-25
BATTLES FOUGHT
 IN SNOW AND |CE
RUSSIAN AND GERMAN CLAIMS CONTINUE DIRECTLY
 CONTRADICTIONS.
PUSHING TOWARD WARSAW
There Seems Little Doubt That Rus sians Are Retreating, But German
 Victory Apparently Exaggerated.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
 London.-The battles between the Russian and the Austro-German ar- fought amid deep snow and in bitter cold. No news of any decisive gain came from either side Tuesday. The Russian and German claims continue to be directly contradictory.
 The Germans in Poland again are making a fierce attack toward Warsaw and the Russians are making a stand against them on the east bank of the Bzura river, 30 miles west of Warsaw. Grand Duke Nicholas army holds a natural strategic line 50 miles long, running roughly, north and south along the east banks of the Bzura and Raw ka rivers.
 Although there seems very lit. tie doubt that the Russians are re- treating and that there is no prospect of an early invasion of Germany, con siderable mystery surrounds the re- ported decisive victory by the Ger l day night.
 The beaten Russian main forces are being pursued on the entire battle 400 kilometers wide (about 250 miles, from Krosno. Galicia, to the mouth of the Bzura river, in Poland, where it empties into the Vistula," says an Austrian official statement issued in Vienna
 The Russians are retiring along the entire front in Galicia and Po- land" This statement, officially is sued at Vienna, is the outstanding feature of Fridays news from the bat tie fronts.
 The British Official Press Bureau Thursday night issued the following statement concerning, the making of Egypt a British protectorate:
 His Brittanic majesty's principal secretary of state for foreign affairs gives notice that in view of state of war arising out of the action of Fur key, Egypt is placed under the protec- tion of his majesty and will hence forth constitute a Britisch protecto- rate.
 The suzerainty of Turkey over Egypt is thus terminated, and his majesty's government will adopt all measures necessary for the defense of Egypt and the protection of it's in habitants and interests.
 The king has been pleased to ap- prove the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel Sir Arthur Henry MacMahon to be his majesty's high commission CT for Egypt"
 For the first time in annals of than a century England has been struck by foreign foe. A squadron of swift German cruisers crept through the fog Tuesday night to the eastern coast and turned their guns against the Britons.
 When day broke they began the bombardment of three important towns-Hartlepool, at the mouth ot the Tees; Whitby, B miles southward. and Scarborough. noted as pleasure resort, Is miles beyond Hartlepool suffered most There two battle crui- sers and an armored cruiser were ell. gagged, and at this place the greatest loss of life occurred.
 Naval writers express the belief that six or eight ships were engaged.
 The hostile squadron escaped in the mist after an encounter with coast guard vessels patrolling the neigh borhood. which were reinforced as soon as the presence of the Germans was signaled.
 Men. women and children of the ci- william population were left dead or wounded, struck without warning while at breakfast or at work
 ualty list totals 1l0. of whom 31 are known to be dead
 The churches were damaged the gas works and lumber yards at liar telpool were set afire and the abbey at Whitby was struck.