The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-12-04

ing against the suex canal.
London. November 2s.-while
newspaper reports from Petrograd
continue to claim a victory in North.
ernPoland comparable at least to
that at Sedan. and even worthy to
rank with the disaster which Russia
inflicted upon Napoleon, official COM
wunications shed little light on the
situation in Poland.
An official dispatch from Grand
Duke Nicholas. coInmander-in-chief
Of the Russian forces in the field,
while of considerable length, con-
Germs itself largely with the more
or less isolated operations and does
not claim infiiction of an overwhelm.
ing defeat upon the invaders.
Most Significant Statement.
Probably the most significant state
mcnt out OF the weller Of conflicting
reports is the admission from VI
emma that Czenstochowa, northwest
Of Cracow. has been evacuated by
a measure by Grand Duke Nicholas,
VINO declares that Russian successes
along the Czenstochowa-Cracow front
assumed marked Importance and that
on the right bank OF the Vistula river
the invaders were in disorderly re-
treat and being vigorously pursued
b! the Russions.
Summing Up Situation.
The grand duke sums up the sit
u"t.un with the declaration that on
the entire front between vistula and
the Warta rivers the battle is pro-
crossing in favor of the Russians.
Both Berlin and Vienna still claim
that no decisive result followed the
recent operations in Russion Poland.
On the western battle front a lulI
still prevails. the only hint of activity
holng found in the report that the
British feet is again operating
against the German positions on the
Belgian coast.
One Aviator Was Killed.
Paris. November ga French
official communication issued by the
war office says: IN Belgium the
artillery exchanges were continued
during the day of November 81 with
out particular incident The heavy
German artillery showed less &C.
tivity. There was but one attack
OF infantry, to the south of Ypres,
which was repulsed by our troops.
Toward the evening our artillery
brought down German biplane,
carrying three aviators. One of the
men was killed and the other two
were made prisoners. In the region
of Arras and further to the south
there has been no change"
London, November 27.-At few
times since the European war be-
gan. nearly four months ago, have
reports from the various fields Of
battle. scattered from the north sea
TO the western fringe OF Asia. been
so incomplete and confusing as was
the case today. So far as could be
learned from the official announce
ments there was. little change in the
alignment Of the opposing forces in
any quarter. Notwithstanding the
fact that operations Of the highest
Importance were under way.
Situation In Ruseian Poland.
The situation in Russian Poland
at present the scene of the most i'm.
portant conflict, has become one of
the most puzzling phases OF the war.
II is stated that the fighting has as.
sumed the character OF a continuous
battle.
In Western Galicia Il Is said that
the Russians have been repulsed by
the Austrians. The latest advices
from Berlin state that the outcome
is not yet decided. although partial
German victories are reported. OPP
posed to this are the unofficial
statements from Petrograd, Paris
and London. that Germany has been
defeated decisiyely.
Kitchiner Made Announcement.
Earl Kitchiner made the announce.
hiche III pdiidtitut tOudg tndt GeT-
many had suffered the greatest re.
versal Of the entire war. For nearly
n week these claims have been made
with the utmost confidence. yet the
Russian war Office withholds any
word OF decisive development. In
some particulars a similar situation
prevails In the west.
Berlin Issues Statement.
Berlin. November 27.-An official
announcement. issued here this after
noon. says: The English ships did not
attack the coast of Flanders again
yesterday. There have been no &C.
tual changes along the battle front
in the western arena. To the north
of Langemarck, we have taken a
groupe of houses and made num-
Der OF prisoners. Our attack I'm
the Argonne region has made fur
Their progress. French attacks In the
neighborhood Of Apremont and to-
the east OF Stmihlel were repulsed.
In the eastern arena of the war
there we're no decisive ENGAGEMENTS
yesterday"
"Peace Talk q Bluff"
Berlin. November 27.-The Cologne
Gazette, commenting In newspaper