Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-12-26
MUsCOVITES ARE GRAPHING
WITH Won HINOENBERG'S BIG
ARMY NOT FAR FROM WARSAW.
U. S. CRUISER GUARDS CANAL
Severe Fighting Continues In France
and Belgium and Claims Are Made
Allies Have Taken New Positions.
Summary of War News to Date.

Saturday the new Russian positions
along the Bzura River and southwark
to Rawa, with the result that another
big battle is in progress.
The Russians retired across the
Bzura River, destroying the bridges
behind them, and two Germans de-
tachments which followed over a part
ly burned bridge were attacked and
are said to have been annihilated, fiji
ty survivors being taken prisoners.
This is only the beginning Of the
great battle for Warsaw, from which
point the Germans are now distant
only thirty miles or less. Field Mar
shall Won Hindenburg, however, ex-
poets stern resistance from the strong
ly reinforced Russian army, protected
by the Vistula River, which the Ger
mans have been unable to cross.
Standing out prominently from
among the claims and counter-claims
of the allies and Germans of successes
won or attacks repulsed on the battle
line in Flanders and France is the
German admission of the French as
sertion that the Germans have lost
trench some $50 feet in length to the
southeast of Bethune.
This trench previously had been the
scene of bitter contests, the French
having captured it Dec. II and lost it
the following day, the Germans having
held it since.
AS to the fighting elsewhere along
the western front, each contending
side records in its official statement
advances by it's forces or attacks by
the enemy repealed. None of the ad
vances, however is recorded as being
great and 1t seems evident that,
though the fighting at some points has
been vicious and that heavy losses
have resulted, the position of virtual
stalemate continues. From no point
has there yet come a statement that
would give verify to the unofficial
claims made last week to a great vic
tory by the Germans in Poland.
'In Poland the Russians are prepar-
ing strong positions near Rawa and
Nida. We are attacking them every
where" says the last German official
report of the situation in the east.
Petrograd says nothing of the fighting
on the right bank of the Vistula, but
declares that a number of fierce en-
counters have taken place on the front
of the Bzura and Rawka rivers, west
ward from Warsaw. On the Bzura
two German companies are declared to
have been annihilated.
Petrograd claims also to have re-
pulsed another attempted sortie from
Przemysl and to have captured large
number of Austrians.
Austria reports the appearance of
strong Russian forces in Galicia, but
declares that in the Carpathians at
tacks by the Russians have been re-
pulsed; that the Austrian troops have
advanced to Tuchow, south of Tarnow,
and that a great battle is developing
north of Lupkow Pass.
The German emperor, having recov-
cred from his recent illness, according
to an announcement from headquar-
tiers at Berlin, has returned to the
front.
From Athens it is reported that the
allied fleet has bombarded the interior
forts of the Dardanelles.
Prince Won Buelow, the former inn
perial German chancellor and now am
bassador to Italy, has been received
with great cordially by King Victor
Emmanuel.
The United States cruiser Tacoma
has arrived at Colon to guard the neu-
trality of the Panama canal.
The delay of the Russians in full
filling expectations that they would
prove a serious menace to German ter
ritory is a disappointment to the peo-
pies of the allied countries, but mill
tary men express the views that It is
better for Russia to meet her foes in
her own territory, where the means of
communication would be more on an
equality.
From the number of wounded
reaching the hospitals of both the Ger
mans and the allies it is evident that
the fighting in Flanders is of a more
severe character than shown in the
official statements. Correspondents
report that the hospitals are again
filling up, while along the Dutch bor-
der continuous firing can be heard.
Petrograd advices deny that Aus
tria is seeking a peace agreement with
Russia.
Advices from Constantinople have
reported the khedive, Abbas Hilmi-
exiled, it has been alleged, from Egypt
on account of his pro-Turkish atti-
tude-as having gone to Vienna to
confer with the Austrian authorities.
France estimates that the war for
the six months in 1915 will cost her
$1,1S5. SSS,5T3, or about 100000, 900
monthly.
Basel, Switzerland, reports that the
French armies have taken the often
sive on the front from Belfort to