Evening star., 1914-12-24
Estimates Of Troops Vary.

Military experts here are unable to
agree on the number of the Austro-
German troops In the east, estimates
, varying from 100000 to 100000. but
il ts pointed -0ut that Russia, unless
exaggerating her resources. should he
able easily to top this figure, NOW thai
her concentration Of forces is neaElne
completion.
Petrograd has never conceded that
the occupation of Lodz by the Germans
had any strategic Importance, but the
German view has now found express
sion from Field Marshal Won linden
burg, who remarked to the representa-
tive of the Associated Press on the
eastern front that he considered 1t the
turning point of the campaign" 49,
All -the-arnies are planning to Spend
Christmas as best they may. Boxes
and greetings from home have been
or are being distributed in the trenches.
at the hospitals and in the camps, nun
dreds of thousands of post cards TO the
soldiers and sailors from King George
and Queen Mary being one feature OF
the British gifts.
New Move on Servia.
The Austrian attempts to crush Serv-
la, which some predicted would be
abandoned in view of the recent turn
occupied Belgrade, are soon to be re-
newed in the form of final blow.
according to dispatches from Budapest.
The French official statement given
out this afternoon recites a series OF
French successes of apparently minor
Importance from the sea on the north
to the frontier of Alsace on the south.
The locations where French troops
have gained the advantage are given
nc
Aisne. in Champagne near Perthes. in
the Argonne, in the forest of Apre-
mont and near st. Die.
Fog prevented fighting near Arras
lery fighting southeast of Amiens. near
Ville-Sur-Tourbe, and In the forest Oh
Apremont.
Praise for Kaiser's Army.
Telegraphing from Petrograd the
Morning Posts correspondent says:
THE Germans brought up vast forces
and reorganized in manner highly
creditable to the recuperative powers Of
the formidable enemy. Emperor VIII
liam has promised his troops rest and
rewards at Warsaw. which he has
ordered to be taken by Christmas.
Grand Duke Nicholas again has been
compelled to draw his armies together
to hold the inner lines of his whole
strategic front. but as nothing is
known of the disposition of the troops
occupying new pos. tions it is impos-
sible to form an opinion where the de-
cisive battle will be fought"
Berlin Hears Of Battle.
BERLIN, December "a (by wireless).-
A report from the German army head
quarters in the field states that a Ger
man attack has been made in the east
ern war arena. but whether the opera
tions were directed against the Rus
sian rear or main line is not stated
The situation in Galicia," the report
SAYS. has cleared. The Russians are
holding the east bank of the Duna1ac
river to Tuchow Ga town just south OF
Tarnow). Another Russian line ex-
tends to the southeast of Kroeno Con
the railroad between Jaale and Sanok).
Heavy fighting is going on at both Tu-
chow and Krosno and also at Bupkow
pass"
Reports Heavy German Losses.
PETRoGRAD. December "a, via Lon
don, 2:3O p.m.-In the front of War
saw the attempt of the Germans to
force a crossing of the Rawka and
Bzura rivers. to the east of Lowfcz.
are reported to have cost the invaders
heavy losses. The Germans are said to
have left on the field near Skierniewice
more than 1000 dead. This was only
one of a series of stubborn engage
ments.
The Germans appear to be feeling |
their way for weak point in the Rus !
sian defenses, but the operations are |
made more difficult owing to the |
swampy nature of the valleys
Determined German attacks are re- !
ported to have been made in the center |
81 the entire front between Rawa and !!
Opoczno, on a line thirty miles east of |
Piotrkow. These clashes are believed to !
have been between the cavalry divisions |
which are protecting the right German i
flank and the left Austrian flank and a |