The Detroit times., 1914-12-15
AUSTRIA REFUSES
TO GIVE UP THREE
PROVINCES; WARSAW

tents from both the British and
'rench war offices.
The gain was made by a combin
In French and British attack, along
three-mile line between Wytschaete
hid Holebeke. The woods from
fhich the Germans were driven by
he English troops Is midway between
aese towns. The British statement
sserts substantial progress" was
Aade. The French communique an.
ounces the occupation of the woods
n the British and declares that the
french troops held their ground along
he User canal and about Holebeke,
Respite vigorous counter-offensiye
the enemy
BY this attack TO the south OF Ypres,
pward Lille, the allies are endeaYor-
kg To widen the wedge which stands
lit In the German line In the region
Is Ypres. The drive nov evidently
artlng southeastward toward Lille.
successful. would necessitate a Ger
an retirement along the line in Bel
I'm, II Is believed here.
Reports from Belgium have declar-
that for sometime there have been
gidences that the Germans were pre-
hring TO fall back to a new line run
ng from Bruges TO Courtrai. The
lccess or southeastern movement,
lch as the allies indicated today may
under way, would undoubtedly re-
ait In such retirement by the Ger.
ans In order that their line might
main intact The weakening OF any
he point In the line 10 strengthen q
sition being violently assailed would
robably result In the allies breaking
Trough the weakest point.
The nghting for possession OF the
Hoods which the British gained Is re.
|prted TO have been extremely bloody.
iwinS To recent heavy rains, the wood
al become q yeritable swamp. Ger
an guns were mired down, but the
penny fought with the greatest BRAY
|fy 70 defend the position. Only by a
barge which carried the fighting to
lose quarters with the bayonet were
BE Germans driven out.
The allies are now working along
fe railroad and the main highway
fading from Ypres TO Lille.
The British government has sent
message of congratulation to Ser
| IN upon the successful conclusion OF
e third campaign in defense of the
Gntry. With reports that Austria
|as already made tentative proposal
"A peace 10 Russia, IL Is believed here
lat Gormany's ally is rapidly APP
oaching the point where efforts 10
|Pgotiate for a settlement without the
|hiser's government will become i'm
|frativc.
Belgrade has again been re-occupied
the Servian troops, and the Aus
ians now hold only a narrow strip
that country on the northwestern
Isontier. The Servian campaign cost
Re is now admitted to be complete
lad measures are being taken to re-
Ist Servian offensive.
| Unless Germany gives Austria the
ea,est assistance. II Is now believed
Russian troops will soon be seriously
kreatening Hungary. Russians in
Considerable force are operating in
|'alicia, near the Carpathians, pre-
bred 10 attack the Austrians descend
Tx the north slopes through the Duk-
\ pass
n russian reports declare that the ef.
BITS 10 relieve Cracow have failed en-
LFely. Dissension in the .Austro-Ger
|an ranks Is reported from Petro-
ad. II Is persistently stated THAI in
I'D retreats the Germans have forced
be Austrian troops TO cover all rear
Eirrd actions and as a consequence
be Austrian losses have been partic-
Early heavy.
Belgrade Is reported to have been
occupied by the Servian army.
With the admission by Austria OF
be failure Of third attempt to sub
HE Servia, and the advance claimed
IN the war Office at Nish for the
|'mies operating against the invaders,
Is believed here that Austria's as
hults upon the domain OF King Peter
lay completely collapse.
The Austrian forces In Servia were
1akened that additional troops might
sent TO the army operating against
be Russians In the Carpathians. The
|ervian army Immediately fell upon
|hd put to rout the weakened right
\ ling of the Austrians, and pushed on
bward Belgrade. Another portion or
be Austrian army was thrown back
bward the Drina. This drive forced
he enemy back into Bosnia, where
he Montenegro army Is reported to
|ave cut 1t or.
The sudden defeat of the Austrians
fter Il was believed Servia had all
but been crushed is one OF the sur
Rises OF the war. II Is declared, how
Her, that the Russian pressure
through the Carpathians became 80
and the demands that the
hfasion be repealed 80 insistant that
be reinforcing OF this army became
Necessary.
Belgrade was taken by the Aus
|-ians only IL days ago after four
honths, campaign. ValJevo was cap.
|Ired by the Austrians last month.
This city has also been re-taken by
he Seryians.
PETROGRAD, Dec. 15.-So COM
|lete was the rout Of the German
|rmy which invaded northern Poland
rom Mlawa that the force Is now
|leared from Russian territory and
his plan of movement against War
law has apparently been abandoned,
|ccording to reports here today.
The army suffered extremely heavy
bsses in being driven back after TAX
lag Przasnysz. The remaining forces
Ire now being re-distrituted, how
|yer. Il Is declared. Part are report
la as beins sent north in East Prussia
10 aid in the defense OF the line II
he Mazurian lake region. Another
Bart Is being hurried south to aid in
Re fighting In the Carpathians.
at is officially admitted here that the
kustrians are descending the north