The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-11-19

London, Nov. 17.-After four weeks
OF most desperate fighting there is a
lull In the battle in Flanders. With
this lull, however, has come little re-
lief for the men in the trenches, as
the artillery and rifle fire, to which
they have been subjected with hardly
any intermission, has been replaced by
n of those severe storms which so
often accompany November in this
latitude.
Proportions Of Blizzard.
In some parts Of England the storm
has reached the proportions of a bliz-
card; on the sea a heavy gale RACES
n the battlefields are getting their
full share Of wind and rain. For the
most part the opposing armies have
been content to shell each other at long
range, but the Germans have made
several attacks around Ypres which,
according to the French general staff,
have been repulsed with heavy losses.
Despite these losses it is not be-
lieved the Germans have any inten-
ton of giving up their attempt to
reach the French coast, and the allies
are making elaborate preparations to
block any further advance in force.
Defense Works Pushed.
Extensive defense works have been
erected along the User canal, and the
French armies are holding that line
from the Belgian border south to the
River Disc and pushing forward ap-
proach works which place them in a
better position for either defense or
offense.
The Germans report they have taken
a few hundred British and French
prisoners, but that the u~nfavorable
weather has impeded their progress.
Concerning the fighting around Dix
nude, the public must rely on unof-
fetal reports. Here, it is said, the
Germans are finding the destroyed viii
lage a death trap. They haze been
unable to debouch from this point in
the daytime as all the approaches are
commanded by the allies guns and
night attacks have met with disaster.
Neither Side Can Advance.
The fact is apparent that neither
side has been able to make any sens
ible advance, both being so we'll en-
trenched that neither artillery nor in
fantry a them.
The Germans are turning Belgium
into a fortress, which means that if
they do not succeed in advancing they
intend to be prepared for a winter in
Belgium. The whole coast from Os-
tend to the Dutch border has been
placed In a state of defense, and civil
ians are vigorously excluded from that
area.
Fighting In East.
Fighting continues In east Prussia
and other regions in the eastern area
between the Russians and the Ger
mans and Austrians, but without any
decisive result. according to the Ber-
lin official statement.
A battle of some proportions is go
Ing on between the Russians and the
Turks at Kroprukeui, in the Caucasus,
the result of which may have a mark.
ed effect on the war in that part Of
the world. Elsewhere in the near east
there has been no engagement of i'm.
portance.
Bulgaria also has set at rest the re-
port that she had an agreement with
Turkey. and has issued a statement
that no such agreement exists.
Great Battle Developing.
London, Nov. 16.-While the battle
In west Flanders continues to hold
public attention because of the desper-
ate character of the fighting. the num-
bers of men engaged and the territory
at stake, military men now look upon
east Prussia as the center of gravity
Of the war.
In the latter field of operations q
tremendous battle is developing. The
Russians are pushing vigorously a
great enveloping movement. They
are engaged with the Germans along
a wide curve Of $50 miles from Stallu-
ponen, In the northeast, through Col.
dap and Kruglankeu, which is well
within the tangle Of lakes. down to
Soldau in the southwest.
Military observers say the Germans
apparently have checked their retreat
In Poland and by counter attacks are
endeavoring to create diversion. They
say, however, that the Russians are
not to be turned from their plan, which
Ia believed to be an attack on Danzig.
They argue that the Germans either
must allow east Prussia to be overrun
q second time or bring up reinforce
ments and that they can hardly weak.
en- their army along the Polish front.
tier, for that would leave Poser and
Eilesia open to invasion.
Allies Hope for Sacrifice.
The allies naturally are hoping an