Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-12-23
Most Desperate Struggle
of War is on 80 Miles
From Warsaw.
LOSSES TREMENDOUS
Germans Pouring Fresh Troops
Into Northern France for
New Offensive Move.

London, Dec. 23.-On S0-mile front
in Russian Poland to west of Warsaw,
| where Germans and Russians are at
grips on the banks of the Bzura,
Rawka and Pilica rivers, continues the
scene of the most desperate fighting
in either the eastern or western
arenas of war The country is exper-
iencing the full force of winter. Each
side has sustained tremendous losses
in this battle of the rivers. From
latest reports it is difficult to visualize
which contender has the strategic ad-
vantage
An Amsterdam dispatch says thou
sands of German troops have passed
through Aix-la-Chappelle toward
northern France. This activity may
be forerunner of a renewed German
offensive in the west under the eyes of
Emperor William or simply intended
to offset reinforcements Great Britain
has been throwing lately into the
French field.
Christmas LulI Expected.
1t is believed that Notwithstanding
failure for a plan for an armistice
set in Christmcs day itself. Christ
mas sentiment is deeJ in the mems
hearts.
London newspapers have decided
not to publish Christmas day. Thou
sands of tons of Christmas presents
have been sent to all fronts.
Petrograd, Dec. 23.-Large bodies of
Russian troops are moving towards
Cracow, Galician stronghold, from the
north and east. An important battle
is developing near Cracow.
London, Dec ga dispatch says
Emperor William with his entire staff
reached Cologne today on his way to
western battlefields.
Allies Attacked RepuIsed.
Berlin, Dec 23-That attacks yes
erday by the allies in Belgium were
easily repulsed, that the French are
showing greater activity in the vicin-
ty of Camp De Chalons, and that a
French forward movement in the
of Sillerie, Rheims, Souain and
oerthes had been partly repelled with
leavy losses to the French, were feat
Tres of today's official announcement.
The situation in east and west Prus-
ia is unchanged, says the statement.
Battles for possession of branches of
he Bzura river (west of Warsaw con-
inue. The situation on the right bank
# the river Pilica is unchanged.
French Report Slight Progress.
Paris, Dec. 23.-French official an
this afternoon reports
light progress in the northern end of
he allied line in France and Belgium.
'og has caused slackening in the fight
lg near Arras. Advances are claimed
ear Perthes-Les-Hurlus where a num-
er of German machine guns were cap
Ired, and progress has been made
ear Beausejour and in the forest of
agruier Near Boureuilles, however,
he French apparently lost TO the Ger
lans.
The statement asserts the Russians
re pressing forward their invasion of
ermany, across the east Prussian
ontier, but admits the Germans have
ade progress in fighting in Poland
est of Warsaw.
Germans in New Africa Raid.
Lisbon, Dec 23-For the second
me during the war the Germans have
vaded Angola, Portuguese West Af-
ca. They attacked the military post
Haulili. The commander of the
,st had only small force and re
Gated in order to obtain reinforce
ents.
Insurance Against War.
London, Dec. 23.-Lloyds is chasg-
g 80 guineas per cent 10 insure
,ainst war between Italy and Ger
any, Austria and Turkey within a
onth; and 80 guineas per cent that
ar between those countries will not
declared within six months. Five
meas per cent is asked to insure
ainst war breaking between Great
itain and Norway within II months.
France Votes s1,7oo. 200, 900.
Paris. Dec. 23-The chamber of dep
les today voted unanimously an ap-
opriation of $1,7OO. 100000 to cover
penses the next six months.
100000 Canteens Ordered.
New Kensington, Pa. Dec. 23.-An
Ter for 100000 aluminium csnteens
one of the belligerent nations of
rope has been received by manu-
sturing company here.
While digging potatoes in Hope.
iine. Arthur Hobart found one IL
I Ia In, .fr - l.