Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-05
Przemysl and cracow Intact.

Przemysl and Cracow Intact.
The Russians would appear not yet to
have been diverted from their attacks
in Galicia and the invasion of Hungary.
but the fortresses of Przemysl and
Cracow still are intact and are likely
to put up a stronger defense against
the Russians than did the Belgian forts
against the Germans. Unless a decisive
defeat can be inflicted on the Austrian
army at Czenstochowa. 1t is argued IN
London, it is not probable that the Rus
sian army of the south will be in a po-
sition to begin any serious invasion OF
Silesia until Cracow has been reduced.
An official report from Vienna admits
that the advance of the Austrians mas
been prevented by violent attacks from
strong hostile forces covering tne
Servian retreat: No hint Is given as 20
the identity Of these forces. but the
opinion is expressed in London that
Russian aid has reached the soreiy
pressed Serbs. Berlin reports tnat suSh
help will be no longer possible tor ehe
reason that the blowing up OF the great
tunnel near Tekija has blocked COM
munication with Roumania and made
impossible the passage of Russian
transports along the Danube.
Estimates of German Losses.
Experts estimate that the Germans
lost two-thirds of their army in Po-
land in the recent fighting in the region
between the Warta and Vistula rivers.
saws a dispatch from Petrograd to the
Morning Post. Prince Oscar and Prince
Joachim, sons of the German emperor.
are reported to have escaped only py
taking flight in an aeropiane: Inc
rival Of Russian reinforcements, whicn
ena abled the Germans to break through
the surrounding ring. and ADDS;
LAS it was, large number OF Ger
mans got out OF the trap, ana the SUI.
sequent fighting has been a curious
tactical spectacle, with the Russians
and Germans in alternate strips cover
ing a considerable area The Germans
have alternated furious attacks with
retreat fighting, and the Information
is insufficient to show how
final success can be attained.
Germans Filling Up Gap.
PETROGRAD, via London. December
5.-The heaviest fighting In the vicinity
of LODI during the past two days has
occurred in the course Of maneuvering
for the possession Of Lask, fifteen
miles southwest of Lodz.
On the Szcberczow line. which is df-
teen to twenty miles long. east OF the
Warta, the fighting appears to indl-
cate that the Germans have been heav-
ily reinforced and that they are hlling
the gan between their right wing and
the isolated body which has been strlV-
ing to turn the Russian left
The German defense on the northern
front in East Prussia occupies posi-
tion along the river Angerapp. from
to Darkehmen, and thence
to the northern extremity Of the Ma
zurian lakes at Angerburg. Here the
Russians are intrenched close to the
German line. On the east front OF tne
lakes and to the Vistula the Russians
have taken a position slightly back of
their line of advance of ten days ago.
Both sides appear to be awaiting the
outcome of the struggle at Lodz. The
main German forces in this region are
about Mlawa.
How Austrians Save Guns.
The military critic of the Bourse
Gazette reckons that the loss of the
Austrians in prisoners is equal to their
number of dead and wounded. and
places the fighting strength of Austria
now at two-thirds of what it was at
the beginning of the war. He cites
the smaller percentage of Austrian
artillery falling into Russian hands.
ana says IalS Is dCCOQilSo Ao2 ~ e~<4
in a recent issue Of the
official War Messenger to the effect
that since the second Austrian retreat
from Poland the Austrian artillery Is
always withdrawn from the field before
the final issue of. the battle This, he
declares, amounts to beginning re-
treat before they are actually defeated.
The critic also points out the large
poportion of officers. including colonies
and lieutenant colonels. among the
prisoners, as indicating the demoraliza-
ton of the Austrian army and the loss
Of the fighting spirit. He states that
the last $4,000 Austrian prisoners in
cluded 500 commissioned officers. The
writer contrasts this with the results
where the Russians are engaged
against the Germans. There. he de-
clared, the officers fall fighting.
Bloodiest Battle Of War.
The most tragic moment of the fight
ing about Lodz thus far, it is reported
here, occurred between Tuszyn and
Brzeziny, southeast of Lodz. Heavy
German forces which had penetrated to
Tuszyn, 1t appears. were surrounded
md ohI}Ded IN d1ht their way to