The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-25

London, December 24.-10 p. m.) Instead of the Christmas truce which Pope Benedict endeayored to arrange, Christmas eve finds the armies of the bcIIigerent powers engaged in fierce battles on both the eastern md west ern fronts, and all Europe celebrating the anniversary in n subdued manner. In the west the allies hammer is tap ping at the German entrenchments try ing to find weak point, while in the east the Russians who have been driven back from the Austrian and German from tiers, seemingly have been brought to bay behind rivers which offer them natural defence, Ind turning, have counter-at- tackled the Austro- German forces.
 Tho Germans In their great rush toward Warsaw drove the Russians over the Bzura and Rawka rivers, and they them selves succeeded in crossing, but accord ing to a Russian official report tonight the Germans there reached the main Rus Sian line and were 'sutoi. FronA yf.ts re- port 1t Is gathered that the Germans di- dected their main attacks against the Rus sian front, which lies along the banks of the Bzura. 1and thence southward to the Pilica, but without success.
 Along the rest of the front south to the Carpathian mountains the Russians claim similar victories; but in East Prussia the Germans apparently have turned the scales on their adversaries and, after hav- ing retreated into their own territory, resumed the offensive and again are back in Mlawa.
 Even now it is possible that the Ger mans have resumed their outfanlSing tac- tics, and while keeping the Russian cen ter busy by making frontal attacks are hoping to get into Warsaw by the back door. All that is certain at present is that the two great armies are engaged in one os the greatest battles of the worlds his tory on a front which extends from East Prussia to the Carpathians, and in which the advantage sways first one side and them to the other.
 Expert Opinion
 Military experts say that the Rus sians by virtue of retaining the right bank of the Vistula as far west IS Flock, can prevent the Germans fro,s, using the river for transit of supplies. and that along the whole of the rest or the front they have rivers and streams to fall behind when hard pressed. This. however, will all be changed. the experts say, when the riv- CTS freeze and the armies can easily be moved over them.
 Mining and sapping, artillery duels, attacks and counter attacks, and in fact every means of warfare is being employed in Belgium and France by the allies in their effort to force the Germans to give up their present lines of defense. Some advance has been made. but only against stubborn op- position.
 England this morning had her first experience of an aerial attack, whcn a German aeroplane. coming from the Belgian front, flew over Dove- and dropped bombs in the garden of St James re~kory. in front of Dover cas- ish aeroplapes immediately rose in rur- suit. but the German escaped in the mist.
 !. German Report
 Berlin, December 24.-(By Wireless Among the items given out today by the official press bureau were the fol. lowing:
 While there is general confidenc, that the Germans and Nheir allies ar. making progress in the east, there i. no indication in official reports of an, marked advantage.
 Indeed, 1t is noticeable that Vienn; uses the adjective favorable' in refer ring to the battles in the Carpathians but contents itself with saying tha the severe battle along the lower Duna