The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-13
WAY TO DuNklRk.

lS0nt1n0e0 from Page One.J
fighting. recalling the early days OF the
siege battle. has been in progress for
some time with no great alteration IN
the line but some advantage In favor
OF the allies.
In the coast battle the latest reports
indicate the Germans, after heavy ar
tlllery fire. make masEed infantry as
saults. suffering losses much heavier
than the defenders
From the east come reports that
Petrograd Is expecting to hear any mo-
meut that the great battle before Cra-
cow has been started, while past Ka-
l1sx and behind q screen of Cossacks,
their insantry and artillery in force arc
said to be within striking distance Of
the German frontier. Bucharest reports
two Austrian divisions annihilated
along the river Pruth. which, II true.
indicates that the Austrian opposition
In Bukowina is at an end and the way
opened for the invasion of Transyl-
vania. E
In the minor war theatres there is
little to report except the severe defeat
administered to General De Wet by his
old comrade in arms, General Botha.
Boring Tunnels.
Paris. Nov. 13.-The conviction is
growing here that the period of the
German strategic offensive Is drawing
to cltSe and tnat the war ca both
the western and eastern fronts is about
to enter its third phase.
The present violent effort in tho
Ypres region while 1t may have sue
ceeded in bending the allies line in
a 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 mere
ly momentary like that at ST. Mihiel
on the Mouse six weeks ago. But Cen
eral JOffre, the French cOmmander-in-
chief. is fully alive to the Importance
OF this position and according to an Of
ficer just returned from Ypres. that
eventuality has been prepared for. At
Ypres and its environs although the
artillery of the Germans is formidable
that Of the allies is still more so and
causes fearful carnage in the enemys
trenches. The fighting in this region
is largely an artillery duel with the in
fantry remaining in the trenches. They
can only approach the enemy by bOr-
ing tunnels which are converted into
trenches by piercing the roof. How
ever important the operations in Elan
ders may be. they are now overshad-
owed both in extent and the influence
they have on the war as whole by the
eastern campaign.
On the Eastern Line.
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 electives and if it is real
lied that she intervenes at a moment
when in Flanders German levies Of the
third line. young soldiers with six
weeks OF 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 Cra-
cow. The Russian commander seems to
be accentuating the defense IN the lat
ter direction. II he succeeds the res
suit Will be far reaching The Aus
trian army will be cut off from the
Germans and forced to accept battle
with her 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 a more or
less early date West Prussia will be
threatened by way Of Thorn"