Grand Forks daily herald., 1914-12-17
GERMANS ! | admit ]
Being { on THE
DEFENSIVE / NOW
All Reports j Of Operations in
the West Indicate Such
Condition.
ATTEMPT TO FREE
BELGIUM OF THEM
Results of Concerted Action some-
what IndeAnite Vet. Although 1t is
Maintained. That Tcuton Line Fails
to Hold Former Positions.
ATTEMPT TO FREE
BELGIUM OF THEM

London, Dec. 1.-THE German ma
val raid on the east coast of England
has had the effect of stimulating re-
cruiting in the British Isles. The in
crease in the number of men joining
the colors Is attributed almost solely
to this cause. The raid still is being
discussed widely.
Other results from it are the prep
arations at the coast points for the
protection OF the, civilian population
In the case Of further. German at
tacks and the organization in London
Of National guard for local defense.
In the western arena. Of war, espe-
cially in Flanders, the roles Of con-
tending armies would appear to have
been reversed. All. recent official
communications, Issued by both allies
and German, refer. to. the allied Of
fensive from Ypres to the sea.
Germans on the Defensive.
Consequently, the Germans, are on
the defensive,
The British squadron. still standing
o. the coast, aided in the attack in
the vicinity of Nieuport, but nowhere
has marked progress been noted. It
ts said. however. that the attempt of
Belgium has ID nstss E Sessn. ' = "
The resuaks:.T sH far az recorded, ie
that in Flanders the German line has
been converted into series of ten
aciously held positions rather than
a straight front; at many points allied
wedges have been driven in.
Eastern Situation.
Russia claims to have checked for
the moment, the movement Of Aus
trians across the Carpathian passes;
she contends also that she has pushed
hn o..
East Prussian frontier at the north
ern extremity of the eastern front.
West Of Warsaw, however. the Ger
mans continue their advance.
Paris, Dec. 1.-THE French official
statement, issued by the war office this
afternoon. follows:
Between the sea and the Lys we
have occupied several German trench
es at the point Of the bayonet: con-
solidated our positions at Lombaert-
zyde and St. Georges, and organized
the territory taken from the enemy
made progress al some points in the
region of Vermelles. There has been
no infantry action along the remain
der of the front, but we report very
effective shooting on the part of our
heavy artillery in the environs Of
Tracy-le-Val. on the Aisne and in
Champagne, as well as In the Ar
gonne, and in the region of Eerdun.
In Lorraine and in Alsace there Is
nothing to report"
Berlin, Dec. 1.-THE army head
quarters issued the following state
ment today:
Yesterday the French continued
their attacks at Nieuport without sue
cess Attacks were attempted at Zil-
lebeke and Labassee, but were re-
pulsed with heavy losses to the en-
envy. The intention of the French to
throw a bridge over the Aisne at Sois-
sons was prevented by our artillery.
French earthworks to the east of
Rheims were destroyed.
Claim Eastern Victory.
:: There is no news on the east and
west Prussian frontiers. The Rus
sian offensive against Silesia and
Posen has completely broken. down.
In the whole of Poland the enemy was
forced to retreat after fierce and
stubborn frontal battles. and Is being
pursued everywhere. During the
in northern Poland yesterday
and the previous day. the bravery Of
the west Prussian regiments gained
victory. The effect Of this victory
cannot yet be estimated"
Berlin, Dec IA statement is-
sued by the German official press bu-
reau says:
"The Austrian general staff reports
that $1,000 Russians have been taken
prisoners in West Galicia."