The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-20
Russians Report Germans Repulsed in Battle Which Is Developing Along the Bzura River
RUSSIANS CONTINUE 1 OPERATIONS AGAINST l AUSTRIANS IN SOUTH
Allies Are Making Slow Progress in West, While Germans Keep Up Violent Counter Attacks

Posen, German Army Headquarters in the East, December ls.-(yia Der lin and London, December 20. 3:59 a. m. )--Field Marshal Won Hindenburg's army took Lowicz today (Friday) after heavy fighting for several days and compelled the further retirement of the Russian lines.
 London. December Is.-uo.4s D. m.) It Is believed Beriin's celebration of s sreat German victory in Poland pos- sibiy was premature. All that German sn today's report Is that the pursuit Of tho enemy continues.
 The Russian official report tonight says engagements the left hank of the vistula have been nothing more than outpost affairs. In these the Rus slams would seem to have been en- saged h holding the Germans, while the Russian main force was forming along the Bxura river, where q battle is beginning to develop and the Ger man attack Is said to have been re- pulsed.
 As was expected the Germans attempted to cross the Vistula in an endeavor to outflank the Russians, but this was frus- trated by the Russian artillery and by the seizure of the pontoon bridges
 Despite the desperate work facing them in North Poland the Russians continue operations in East Prussia and against Cracow in western Galca, they are talk ing positions along the Dounaiety river in an attempt to stop the flow of the Aus tro-German forces.
 Part of the Przemysl garrison has made a sortie in force in an attempt to open the railway to the southwest, and is giv- ing battle to the Russian besieging army
 Strongly Entrenched
 With the Germans strongly entrenched and the ground in bad condition the al- lies offensive movement in Belgium and France is making slow progress At sev- eral points. however, the French official report records the capture of German trenches. The offensive is being pushed with considerable force in Flanders and from the Belgian border south to the River Disc. where the line turns eastward.
 The Germans keep up violent counter attacks and by these and the use of mines in some cases have prevented the allies from following up their advantage.
 Similar tactics are being adopted by both sides along the rest of the front with gains and losses which are marked In fractions of miles. The allies have brought up an enormous weight of artil- lery which they are using to clear the way for the infantry.
 A message from Antwerp to the Ans terdam Telegraaf, asserts that the Ger mans. preparing for a possible retire. ment, are constructing . line of defense across Belgium from the Schaldt along the Dendre river to Maubeuge on the French frontier. This, if true. might be considered only a measure of precaution The German criusers which raided the east coast of England sowed a large mine field. In addition to the three steamers previously reported as having been destroyed, a mine sweeper, clearing the seas. was blown up today. and it is reported two other vessels met a like fate. This occurred while the funerals of the victims of the bombardment at Scar borough and the Hartlepools were being held.
 While the motor section of the South African defense force is gathering in the remainder of the scattered rebels. the army is forming on the German South African border. where the advance guards are in touch.
 Reports Lacking
 Berlin, December 19.--(By wireless) In the absence of further adviccs re- garding the reported German victory in Poland, German newspapers contain little comment on the situation in that war arena. It is announced that the retiring Russians are being followed up but nothing is known of the character of their retirement or of the pursuit.
 In,view of the conservative character of the German official reports today the announcement Friday that the situ- ation near Nieuport. Belgium, continues favorable gives rise to the general ex- pectation that the next news of im-
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