New-York tribune., 1914-12-24
Violent Fighting with
Losses Marks Conflict
on Pilica River.
BIG ARMY RELIEVES
GALICIAN FORTRESS
Grand Dukes Troops Forced to
Retire Across Nida, Thirty
Miles to Eastward.


petrograd. Dec %. Their direct ad-
vance from the west toward Warsaw
having been blocked by strong Russian
reinforcements along the Bzura River
in the region Of Sochaczew. the Ger
mans offensive has been renewed with
such intensity 20 the southward that
the invaders have reached Skicruiewicz.
forty miles southwest Of the Polish
capital, while another Of the Kaisers
armies. operating south of the Pilica
River, has forced Grand Duke Nicholas
TO withdraw his forces from around
Cracow 20 the eastern bank OF the
River Nida, thirty miles away, down
the Vistula.
Although the Russians have inflicted
immense losses on the Germans and
are strongly entrenched on their pres.
ent Strengthened lines, the abandon
ment Of their positions around Cracow
by the Cars troops, a known objective
Of Field Marshal Won Hindenburg, 10
regarded here as a distinct, though
possibly only a temporary loss.
Austrian Forces Checked.
In Galicia, south OF Cracow, Russia
has resumed the offensive against tho
Austro-German force, which have
poured in from the west and across
the Carpathians. According to the lat
es. repors, the Russians have inhlct-
I'd heavy losses on these forces. In tho
north they have pursued back into tho
interior OF East Prussia the German
army which made a feint at Warsaw
from the northwest
Reports from the front that are
taken 20 indicate that the Russians do
not intend TO reinquish for long their
hold on Cracow. state that great bodies
Of the Grand Dukes troops are moving
from the north and east on the Galician
fortress. No intimation is given, how
ever. Of the present location Of these
reinforcements.
Military experts now look for tho
next great conflict Of the campaign 20
develop in the southernmost part Of
Poland. although th violent engage
ments which are now in progress from
the Bzura River southwark to Slier-
niewice are not expected 20 cease IN
the mean time. u IS evident tina. 80
Germans are not planning 20 relax
their efforts 20 accomplish "A direct ad-
- IL
ing 20 clear the Russians from tho
Galician gateway TO Berlin and Vienna.
Fighting Violent Near Craoov.
Hard fghting occurred yesterday in
the neighborhood Of Miechow and An
dreiew. about fifteen miles northeast Of
Cracow. Thi ey emily occurred dur
ing the Russian retirement 20 the east
ern bank of the Nida. The objective
Of the Austro- German forces in this
vicinity appears 20 be Kieloe, sixty
miles northeast Of the border strong
hold
The front Of the invaders extends
about seventy miles from the right
bank Of the Nida. Their strength
estimated at from eight 10 ten army
corps $4,000 to 10000 mem.
The Teutonic allies on December 18
attacked the outskirts Of Pniozow.
TWENTY-FIVE miles east Of MiechOw, and
were successful in crossing the river.
Subsequently. however, they were
thrown back with heavy losses after a
desperate fight
The Russians are in force along tie
Pilica River, twenty miles southeast OF
PetrokOw The gap between that posi-
ton and the Nida River Is occupied By
five divisions Of German cavalry. The
two Russian armies are seeking 20
close in, moving in the direction Of
Opoczno. Near the latter point, in the
vicinity Of the town Of Przedborz, an
Austrian force was defeated several
days ago, losing 1000 men and II off,
GERS.
Third Defeat for Austria.
Il is the opinion Of Russian military
critics that the action in this territory
in intended By the Germans 20 draw
away the Russians from the vicinity of
Cracow by threatening their commune
cations.
The official announcement of Russian
successes in Galicia is interpreted here
as meaning a definite defeat Of the
.hirC Austrian advance The Russians
claim 20 have taken the offensive, at
lacking successfully the entire south
srn frontier forces OF the Austrians
under General Won Boehm -Ermolli The
attack extended along the River Du-
1ajec as far es the upper valley Of the
San.
The Austrisns who advanced over the
Pass, IN the Carpathians,
oward Dukla were attacked along a
.ront from LiskO 20 Sanek. The Aus
.rians attempted 10 unite forces with
he garrison at Przemysl. A series Of
attempts in that direction is reported
% nave failed. The Przemysl garrison
,n December Is made a desperate