Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-11-14
Gain Foothold on Southern
Side Of Stream After
Severe Fighting
WAY TO COAST is
STILL CLOSED UP
Dixmude Victory of Kaiser
May Prove Futile if
Britons Hold Out

London, Nov 13.-The Germans
have crossed the User river, accord
ing to the admission Of the latest Paris
official communication and although
the invaders occupy only a few hun
dred yards on the left bank of the
stubbornly contested river, the allies
cannot be Indifferent to this gain, and
desperate efforts will be made TO drive
back this slight wedge.
Ypres, extending like fortress bas-
tion into the lines of the invaders, is
still held by the British, and unless
the flank attacks on this position are
successful, Dixmude is likely to prove
a barren gain for the Germans, who
still find the way to Dunkirk barred.
The theory that the Germans are
making an unprecedented attempt on
the coast objective is confirmed by an
official just returned to Holland from
East Prussia, where, he claims, the
severity of the German defeat is due
to the fact that so many troops have
been detached for the effort against
Calais.
Little attention lately has been
paid to the operations along the river
Aisne but, according to late dispatches
fierce fighting, recalling the early days
of the siege battle there, has been pro-
crossing for some time with no great
alteration in the line, but some slight
advantage in favor Of the allies.
In the coast battle the latest reports
Indicate that+the Germans, after heavy
artillery fire, make massed infantry as
Baults suffering losses much heavier
than the defenders.
From the east come reports that
Petrograd is expecting to hear any mo-
ment that the great battle before Cra-
COW has been started, while past Kal-
isz and behind screen of Cossacks,
their infantry and artillery in force are
said to be within striking distance OF
the German frontier.
Bucharest reports two Austrian di-
visions annihilated along the river
Pruth which if true, indicates that the
Austrian opposition in Bukowina is at
an end and the way opened for the
Invasion of Pennsylvania.
In the minor war theaters there is
little to report except the severe defeat
administered to General DeWet by his
old comrade in arms, General Botha
Offensive Near Close?
Paris, Nov. 13-The conviction is
growing here that the period of. the
German strategic offensive is drawing
to close and that the war, on both
the western and eastern fronts, is
about to enter its third phase.
The present violent effort in the
Ypres region, while it may have sue
ceeded in bending the allies line in
few places, has not yet, according to
either French or German reports, sue
ceeded in breaking it and it seems i'm
possible that the attempt can be re-
peated under the same conditions.
Even success at this point might prove
merely momentary, like that at st.
Mihiel on the Meuse six weeks ago.
But General Joffre, the French COM
mander-in-chief, is fully alive to the
Importance of this position, and, ac-
cording to an officer just returned
from Ypres that eventuality has been
prepared for At Ypres and its en-
virons,. although the artillery of the
allies is still more SO, and causes fear
full carnage in the enemys trenches.
The fighting in this region is largely
an artillery duel, with the infantry re-
manning in the trenches. They can
only approach the enemy by boring
tunnels which are converted into
trenches by piercing the roof
East Gets Attention.
However important the operations
In Flanders may be, they are now
overshadowed both in extent and the
influence they have Of the war as a
whole by the eastern campaign.
Colonel Feyler, editor of the Swiss
Military Review, and one of the best
known military specialists, declares
that Russia is now about to bring to
bear all her effectiveness and if it is
realized that she intervenes at mo-
ment when in Flanders German levies
of the third line, young soldiers with
six weeks training are being brought
Into action, the full significance of the
operations on the eastern front will be
recognized.
Three Austro- German armies he
continues, "are advancing toward the
Angles of Thorn and Cracow. The
Russian commander seems to be ac-
centuating the defense in the latter
direction. If he succeeds the result
will be far reaching. The Austrian
army will be cut off from the Germans
and forced to accept battle with their
backs against the Carpathians.
"In addition there is prospect Of a
battle in the center of the line from
Posen to Breslau, toward which the
German army of Silesia seems to be
directed in retreat and at more or
less early date West Prussia will be
threatened by way of Thorn"