Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-05
COURSE OF THE
EUROPEAN WAR
Battles on Land and Sea, and the
Weeks Effect on the General
Situation.

tremendous consequences to the Serbs
whose land is in peril of complete sub
jugation by the Austrians. Resumption
OF the offensive by the Germans. who
have been reinforced, and who escaped
Russian envcloplng movement, char
acterizes operations in the eastern field
where however, the Russians claim ad-
vantages in the actual fighting. Along
the Franco Belgian line, from the North
Sea to Aleace, n virtual deadlock has
denied significant advantage to the hos
tile battle arrays. In the Turco-Rus-
sian campaign a similar lack OF decisive
action has marked the week
Belgrade has fallen again into Austrian
hands and the occupation OF the Servan
capital is likely to be more permanent than
that reported last August. This time a
large Austrian army Is able to protect
possession of the prize, for Austrian
troops are present in force in the north
ern and eastern sections of Servia. Sue
cesses at Valjevo and the Kolubara River
have opened the way to complete invasion
of the country and the Serbs are evident
ly I'm a sorry plight, with subjuCation as
an immediate prospect, unless the Cars
promised aid Is of sufficient magnitude to
thwart the large Austrian force which is
oveTrunning the country.
Out of the welter of conflicting claims
from rival capitals as to operations in
the Vistula- Warthe battle region in Po-
land, 1t may be deduced that the Ger
mans have made no advance in their sec
ond campaign against Warsaw but have
held some ground and have not been hope
lessly outclassed, as reports from Petro-
grad denoted. The Russian sweep for
ward of last week has been, In meas
ure interrupted, but the Cars com
manders have maintained their agrees
slve Obviously. from the consensus OF
believable or fairly reliable accounts,
fighting has been sharp at several points,
particularly in the vicinity of LODI and
Lowicz, with success in such actions
varying between the opposed forces.
Coming to the official statements of the
War Offices, Petrograd asserts that the
furious attempts of the Germans TO burst
through the Russian line northward from
Lowicz were completely frustrated and
that the Germans were badly beaten Mt
Iodz. Scattering details coming from
Petrograd intimated a great Russian tri-
umph, but If such victory was gained
Grand Duke Nicholas was singularly re-
ticent, while the Government issued
general statement of very moderate tone,
tending to curb extravagant hopes of
vast victory The chief Russian claim
of the week was to the effect that several
German corps were virtually surrounded,
but admission was made that the cars
ring of steel failed to close completely
on the foe, owing to General Rennen-
kampf's tardiness in performing his snare
in the enveloping movement delay |
which cost him his command, according |
TO unconfrmed rumors. This admission |
affords substance to the Berlin statements |
that a fresh offensive has been under |
taken and that, despite heavy lighting, no |
decision has been reached in the Polish |
field. Germans state that $4,000 prisoners |
g, tolFa In NOYem-
ber II to December !. This claim was |
antedated by one from Petrograd to the !
effect that an entire German corps had
ben captured.
Concerning southern Poland, Berlin has
remained silent, though Petrograd has
asserted definite repulses of the German
forces and the blocking of reinforce
ments.
East Prussia has been the scene of
continued fighting, but without the gain
of much advantage to either side At
the Russians were repulsed,
but their general movement within the
German borders has continued.
AS the week ends the Russians are bonn
harding Cracow from the heights OF
Wielieka. where batteries have been
posted. The main army of Investment is
reported as within eight miles of the city.
which would indicate that the Austrian
army I'm Galicia has met with constant
most of the Carpathlan passes, Petrograd
says. but the assertion is disputed by
Vienna.
In the western theatre the opposing
forces have been virtually deadlocked At
no point along the 3O0-mile front from the
Belgian coast to Alsace, has a notable
advance been made by either side There
have been slight gains made by the Allies ,
IN the Aisne, and at points in the Ar
sOnne the Germans have advanced their
trenches a little at several points, but It
IS admitted that the progress has been ,
nconsequential
The German lines on the Yser have been |
heavily reinforced with fresh troops and
Dig guns, but British reinforcements have I
llso been massed there to meet an ex-
lected advance. The Allies again have
nut the dixie In that region and the In
now extend south of Dixmude
Turkish activities consisted OF an in
'aslon of Servla, the march toward
3atum and the advance upon the Suez
,anal. Brigands in un0rganized compa-
lies took a decisive step in the author
zed holy war and oyerran sections OF {
southern servia, butchering as they
vent. {
In the two organized campaigns the OF
oman forces appear to have scored sue
esses during the week, some OF them,
However, of minor character. In the
!
ective is Batum, the strong Russian
black Sea port. Troops have gained {
'olnts within 80 miles OF the goal, Ar
amitsch being taken on Thursday. The
trength of the opposing forces in this
eetion has never been revealed and !
either has the character OF the hghting
cen mentioned In the dispatches.
Progress of the Turkish invasion Of ! s.
Egypt for the week evidently has been
low. the Sultan's forces apparently hav- !
lg gained no further foothold than at :
he posts OF I'll ATish and Kantara. The !
lrttish forces, aided by Egyptians. have
cen repulsed at almost every turn. The
lvasion is regarded as Of proportions h
.arranting Importation OF Australian and .
Few Zealand terrltOrials. A large force a
! on the way to Egypt. d
Russian warships have driven away the t
urkish squadron which has been bonn L
arding TFebizond, Batum and other {
hack Sea ports. o
koer rebels have met defeat IN sew I
raj actions In the Orange Free state.
eneral De wet according to late dis
atch. has beau eanft4rad 2