The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-30
March of Turks Is
Marked By OufrdgeS

PETRoGRAD. Dec. Renewed
successes in the Caucasus in the Oh
link region, and important move
ments in Warsaw which presage the
driving back OF the Austro-German
forces beyond the frontier, are re.
ported here today. The lighting in
the Caucasus has resulted in the Rus
sian occupancy or Merdenek near
Sarykamyah, where the Turkish
trenches were carried after a series
OF bayonet charges in which the de-
tending force lost very heavily. Rus
sian cavalry divisions are now operat-
ing in the direction OF Khorasan.
The Turkish defensive is stated to
be very strongly maintained and there
have been many encounters at close
quarters in which the Russian bay.
onets have been used 10 great ad-
vantage. The Turks are declared TO
be committing outrages against the
native population OF the villages in
the territory through which they
have moved, TO have massacred thou
sands of men and women and out
ragged and tortured all young girls
The reports from the Austrian front
declare the Austrian armies which
were operating in South Galicia have
been completely routed. Their flight
was so precipitate the report says,
that they abandoned large quantities
OF camp equipment. supplies, and
some cannon. The Russians have cut
CT large number OF troops and their
capture is believed certain. To the
west the Russian forward movement
is again In full swing despite the fact
that the roads and fields are again
almost impossible owing to the sud
den thaw The movement against
Cracow Is being resumed and further
unsuccessful sorties OF the Przemysi
garrison are reported.
To the north, in the territory TO
the west OF Warsaw, where the Ger
mans have been operating, the fight
ing is for the present chiefly in the
nature OF artillery duels at long
range. The Germans have retired TO
the left bank OF the Bzura where they
are entrenching.
In general the situation Is consid-
cred improving. The Russian forces
are being prepared for another gen
eral advance which Ii Is believed here
will throw the enemy back on his own
frontier line OF defenses not later than
the Russian New Year (Jan. 49,.
VIENNA, Dec. 30.-Emphatie de.
nial that the Austrian armies have
been completely routed featured the
Official war Office statement issued to-
day. IL is frankly admitted that the
armies have been forced to withdraw,
but this action, the statement says.
was due to the throwing OF enormous
numbers OF reinforcements into the
main army which has been contesting
Southern Galicia in company with the
Hungarian army which crossed the
Carpathians So far as this latter
army is concerned. the official report
says. IL has been Withdrawn in good
order. bringing back its entire rartil-
lery and transport. The losses have
been heavy but not out OF proportion
to the men engaged. The chief cause
for regret, It Is stated, Is that the
movement TO relieve Przemysl has
been abandoned.
In the northern section the Austrian
lines are intact, the war Office claims.
There has been a withdrawal at a
number OF points to straighten out
the battle line but at no point has
there been any general retreat. The
Austrians continue to hold the main
line OF trenches on the Sromnik-
Sorlice-Jabliska front, according 10
the latest reports available here. II
is denied here that the Russians have
resumed their movement against
Cracow.
In the Balkan theater Of war the
official statements say there has been
renewed activity. especially on the
part of the Montenegrins. They have
repeatedly attacked Trebinje but in
every instance have been repulsed
with heavy losses. The Montenegrins
are still bombarding the Austrian po-
sitions at Krievostje but with little
result