Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1914-11-24
THREE CONFLICTS
N EASTERN arena
MAY Be DECISIVE
Two Great Battles in Poland and
Another in Prussia Hold In
terest in Europe.
SNOW ON THE WESTERN FIELDS
No Action of Importance Along Gen.
ter, but Germans are Repulsed
in Argonne.
SNOW ON THE WESTERN FIELDS

London, Nov. 21.-Two big bat
ties, either or both Of which may
have decisive results, are being
fought in Poland, and third con-
fict, of almost equal Importance is
J progressing in Prussia.
OF the three battles now at their
height, the one between the Vistula
and the Warta rivers and in which
the Russians last night claimed par
tial success, is exciting the greatest
interest. The Germans, it is believ-
ed, have brought up by their line of
strategic railways in Posen and Sill
esia at least half million men, in
an effort to break the Russian line
at this point. Weather conditions,
4 the frozen ground, and the situation
of the battlefield favor battle de-
cisive to a degree not eQualled on
any other field in the present war.
The other battle in Poland is TAX
ing place on the CracOWCzensto-
chowa front, and both the Russians
and the Germans claim it is proceed
ing satisfactory for them. In East
Prussia, the Russian advance is mov-
ing slowly through the country sur
rounding the Mazurian lakes, which
is difficult of passage. In Galicia,
the Russians are moving steadily
westward, and at the same time are
selling the passes of the Carpathi-
ans.
There is now almost complete
absence of infantry attacks in the
western arena and the artillery
fighting is of much less violence. All
that region about Dixmude through
which the User canal passes is mum
dated, and the only serious fighting
at present appears to be taking place
to the south of Ypres, where cannon
aiding of considerable intensity is in
progress.
Very bad weather, which neces-
sarily hampers operations, has been
experienced, and snow has fallen in
some places. There has been no i'm
portant action in the French center,
but in the Argonne region the Ger
mans have made vigorous attacks
which, the French say, were repuls-
ed. On the French right wing the
Germans have retaken the village OF
Chauvoncourt, part of which they
blew up few days ago. The activ-
ity of the Germans in the vicinity OF
Rheims has slackened.
The advance by Austria into Ser
via is creating uneasiness in Bull
garia as to the future of the Balkan
states. The question as to whether
Bulgaria should remain neutral or
throw in her lot with the allies was
discussed yesterday in the sobranje. |
Leaders of the democratic party sug-
gested that the allies should be con-
suited as to their intentions regard
ing the future of the Balkans.
Italy, too, has been affected by
the Austrian advance, and her am
bassadors at the European capitals
have been called home to confer with
the cabinet. Marquis Imperial,
Italian ambassador to Great Britain.
will leave for Rome today.
In order to prevent supplies of tea
reaching Germany from England
through neutral countries, Great
Britain has prohibited it's exporta-
ton to European countries, except
those Of the allies, Spain and Portu-
gal. Since the outbreak of the war
the exports of tea to Holland have
reached enormous proportions.
The admiralty has taken further
steps for the protection of the east
coast ports by the extension of the
mine field This seems to give some
support to the rumors, current for
several days, that a German raid on
the east coast is expected. In fact
it is generally believed here that if
Germany is baked in her other de-
sign, she will attempt to attack Eng
land, no matter how desperate such
an expedition is considered.
Subscriptions to the war loan con-
tinue to come in and it was reported
unofficially last night that the ap-
plications aggregated between three
and three and one-half billion dol
lars. The loan calls for only ST.
$50, 100000. /