The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-12
A Berlin Report States
German Attack in
the North Is Gaining
Ground
PLACE OF ACTION
NOT MADE KNOWN
Military Correspondent Of Berlin News
paper Assumes That the Attack Is
Being Directed Against Russian Po-
sitions in the Rear of LodZ

Berlin, Dee. IL. via The Hague and
London. Dee. IL, 2.20 A. Mt is
doubtful if shorter reports with less de
tail ever have been given concerning
the progress OF great battle than the
series covering the operations in Po-
land, To-days bulletin is typical. 1t
says:
"Our attack in Northern Poland is
gazing ground. There is nothing new
from Southern Poland.
No indication is given AS 10 where
this attack is occurring on the extend.
ed front.
Major Moraht, military correspondent
of tine = Berliner Tageblstt,' who o.
oasionally seems TO have special sources
Of information, assumes THAT the attack
= being directed against the Russian
positions immediately in the rear of
Lodz, where the Russians have fOrti.
ned the line of the Aiiszga. a small
stream twelve or fifteen miles east of
the city. TIE Russians have a faculty
OF fortitying q series Of positions in the
rear, one behind air, and hence il is
difficulty for successful opponent TO
get the Russian masses readily into ae-
tion towards the rear.
Pictures Strateggy of Battle
Major Noraht pictures the strategy
OF the battle as thrust against tine
main army standing between the Wis
tula river and LodZ while wide flank
ing movement is in progress from the
north from East Prussia and Austro,
German forces in Southern Poland are
operating 10 prevent the detachment of
- Il
Russian center.
The German army in the center, SAYS
the major, lis faced with the task
of thrusting its opponents back bodily
because the left wing OF this army is
now near Lowiez and mas not advanced
Tar enough toward the Russian line of
communication TO exercise q decisive
effect on the Russian retirement from
Lodz.
The northern force. operating from
East Prussia, mas advanced about
twenty-five miles into Poland, a quarter
of the distance 10 Warsaw. Major
Maraht believes any further advance
may force the Russians to divert their
strategic reserves at Warsaw to heai
of this new danger.
View on Western Situation
Concerning the situation in the west.
Major Noraht says that from the French
point of view the time NAV seem riDe
70 inaugurate a general advance Ger
many is engaged in an all-importaut
struggle in Poland and the German at
taekS on the front in Flanders have
ceased temporarily.
Tue situation n the past few weeks
has given the French time 10 bring up
Young troops and the British opportun-
Try to get Colonial reinforeemeuts TO
the front. Although this strengthening
= cOuute-s-.ed 70 certain extent BY
the return 10 Morocco of African troops
vho were unable 10 stand the climate
aai are needed in Africa. Major NOraht
says thar !; cannot be predicted wheth-
err all these circumstances will lead to
"a attack against the German fortified
front. but ne believes that General
Ioffre. commander -in-chief OF the French
forces. : TOO wise to risk a Dig ven
IJre a, th:. time.
No Great Change Lately
No gre5; change has occurred on the
western front lately says the CORE
>Jeuden5. except that La Basse, where
there has osen a slight German advance
and west OF Nerdune where the Germans
Rave reached point within eight miles
OF the railway between Yeriun. Gallons
and Paris and about twenty miles north
west of the fort line OF Verduue. Major
Noraht saws the German situations here
i favorable and ne considers that this
offers the best prospects of any poin:
on the west front for bringing affairs
TO decision.