The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-04
Tremendous Losses Certain To
Follow General Engagement of
Two Great Forces-Ger-
man Trenches Mined
SITUATION IN EAST
REMAINS UNCHANGED
Austrians Steadily Thrown Back
in South-Von Hindenberg
Fights Stubbornly
BY ED. L. KEEN.

(StdH Correspondent United Press)
LONDON, Dec. 4.--The allied
forces in northern France and Bel
gium are now believed practically 70
equal the Germans In numerical
strength. The offensive OF the French
and British troops, now gradually de-
veloping, is expected TO reych its
height with the arrival OF additional
lreinforcements.
Late reports put the strength OF the
allies in Belgium at 100000. The eye
witness report OF Col. K. y. Swinton.
| telling OF the German drive toward
Calais. states that from the north of
La Bassee, the Germans numbered
100000. This bears out the admis-
sion OF Gen. Sir John French that
the allies were outnumbered, but with
the arrival of reinforcements and the
shortening OF the British line, this
advantage of the Germans may have
been overcome.
The visit OF King George to the
British lines Is said to have had re-
markable effect upon the troops.
Everywhere he has been received
with the greatest enthusiasm, and Is
now contemplating extending his
visit.
I; The battle for the possession of the
coast, which is believed to be ap-
preaching climax. will go down as
one OF the most remarkable In his
tory. The most extraordinary meth
DDS have been taken on both sides for
the gaining of some small advantage
and general engagement will bring
more than 100000 in contact. Ire
mendous losses are certain. During
the long fight, which has been in the.
nature OF siege, the German as well
as the allied trenches have been
equipped with elaborate defenses.
IL is practically accepted that en-
gineers have mined the German
trenches and that they will be blown
/ up in case OF withdrawal. The Ger
mans have twice blown up French de-
tachments after retreating from posi-
tions which were Immediately occu-
pied, but the British vial hardly be
/ drawn into such traps.
The situation on the eastern front
Is accepted today as remaining un-
changed Unofficial Petrograd re-
ports again claim the advantage for
the Russians, but taken with the Ger
man statements, there Is nothing To
bear out these optimistic statements
Poland only by a protracted conflict
could the Germans hope to gain q de-
cisive victory. The extreme mobility
OF Gen. Won Hindenberg's army prom
-ises TO make Il possible for him to
put up a stubborn resistance to the
attempt OF the Russians to throw him
back upon his own frontier.
Word that Cracow is being bonn
har to N tQ ri a
Russian force has reached wielicska.
within range OF the defenses OF the
city. The Russians have steadily
thrown back the Austrians on the
southern front
PARIS. Dec. 4.--Every attack OF the
reinforced German forces In Flanders
is now being met by a vigorous coun-
ter offensive OF the allies.
Four hundred thousand fresh Brit
ish troops have reached France with
I'm the last month and are now on
the line along the User, where the
Germans are expected TO center their
main attack in q final effort to break
through to the coast
Heavy cannonading has been In
pIObItSs uuIlhk lHt past ~ uOuIs hhu
the Germans continue TO mass forces
between Ostend and Ypres for the
general engagement that is expected.
The full force OF the counteroffen-
sive OF the allies has by no means yet
been felt by the enemy. This Is grad
ually developing. however, toward an
engagement of the greatest proper
tions.
PETROGRAD. Dec. 4--The attempts
ed resumption OF the German offensive
following the reforming OF the lines
OF the invading army, has been with
out result, II is claimed here today.
The Russians. II is claimed, have \
extended their line further along the
vistula. IN the region OF Lowicz they
have again forced the Germans 20
take the defensive. TSls line extends
tContinued ON Rage seyesJ
>aoo I,,,,I.atse.~gse