The Detroit times., 1914-12-12
Germans Routed
Before CrdcOV, Claim

PETROGRAD, Dec. 1.-THE at.
tempt OF the Austro-German forces
south of Cracow to break the Russian
line, has resulted in their complete
rout Thousands of dead were left
on the field and the Russians remain
complete masters OF the situation.
The Army Messenger. official organ
OF the war Office, today makes this
claim concerning the operations on
the southern front The Austrians
were heavily reinforced by German
troops, it Is stated, and directed an
energetic attack upon the Russian
lines. They were repulsed and the
check was then turned into hasty
and disordered flight. Five batteries
were captured and an entire column Of
armored motor cars taken.
The efficiency Of the Russians in
bringing down German aeroplanes is
cited by the Army Messenger, Two
reconnoitering aeroplanes We're
brought down by Russian guns Tues
day.
LONDON, Dec. 12.-The British ad-
miralty today refused to confirm or
deny the German reports from Buenos
Ayres concerning the battle fought
off the Falkland Islands.
The statement that the feet of
Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Sturdee
included the second cruiser squadron
attached to the home fleet was re-
ceived without comment. There was
neither confirmation nor denial that
the cruisers Shannon. Achilles. Natal
and Cochrane were engaged.
Reports were circulated today that
the British feet numbered as many
as 20 vessels. but 1t Is expected that
the admiralty will observe strict 81
lence until the work OF the fleet Is
completed Ofcial word OF the sink
ing of the cruiser Dresden has not
yet been received from Vice-Admiral
Sturdee. His latest report gave the
British losses as seven men killed and
four wounded
No officers were included in the
casualty list.
In addition to the claim that the
movement TO relieve Cracow has
failed, Petrograd official reports de
clare the German advance has been
checked at all points from the north
along the line OF the Mlawa drive and
on the western and southwestern
fronts.
With statements from Berlin ad-
mftting that the Russian resistance is
as yet far from overcome, there Is
every indication today that with Lodz
captured and the movement OF Gen.
Francois, on the north, developing
into definite shape, lines are forming
for a new engagement which may
determine the success of the move
ment upon Warsaw.
Heavy reinforcements are arriving
for both the Russian and German
armies. Grand Duke Nicholas Is re-
ported to be making a redistribution
OF his forces. The advance from the
north must be checked at all costs,
the Russians believe. The latest Of
fetal statement asserts that after re-
pulsing the Germans In this section,
the Russians took the offensive and
drove several columns back I'm the
greatest disorder. Several desperate
attacks launched by the Germans
north OF I.owicz were repulsed.
In the fighting south OF Cracow the
AustroGerman losses are reported TO
have exceeded 10000, according 10
Petrograd reports. In the Plotrkow
region. fighting Is still in progress,
but Berlin admits these operations
are designed purely TO prevent the
Russians from detaching troops from
this section to reinforce their armies
further north.
Both Berlin and Petrograd are re-
served IN their statements concern
ing the situation In the east The
check administered the Germans as
claimed In the Russian official state
ment, Is not held as a decisive VIC