The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1914-12-22
Cars Forces Heav-
lily Entrenched.
ALLIES CLAIM GAINS
IN WESTERN ARENA
Operations Apparently Turn Into
General Engagement.

OVssOsNs eUo~o~
London, Dec 22.-The great battle
to the west of Warsaw has yet to be
fought out, judging from the indica-
tions conveyed In recent dispatches
from Berlin and Petrograd. 1t ap-
pears to British military observers
that the German contention that Cen
eral Won, Hindenburg had scored a
notable success over the Russians
must be qualified.
The German army commanded by
General Won .Hindenburg has made
steady advance in the direction of the
Polish capital, but the Russians, in
falling back, appear to have taken
new positions in strong entrench-
ments and In spite of the fact that the
invaders are within two or three days
march Of Warsaw there is good rea-
son to believe that hard fighting must
come before the Germans can occupy
the Polish city.
Petrograd advices say the Russian
forces still are holding at bay the
German column which is seeking to
cross the Bzura river at SoxhacZew
and advance on Warsaw. For three
days this German army of 100000
men has been endeavoring to cross
the river and throw back the Rus
SLAMS; who are holding the right bank.
The Russians, according to"a Petro-
grad dispatch, are heavily .eatrenchedt
and their artillery is so placed that it
commands the river to it's junction
with the Vistula river, eighteen miles
north.
Sweep Against Russians.
Along the southern frontier of East
Prussia, which is north of the Wis.,
tula river, the Russians say they have
the upper hand, but further to the
south, in Southern Poland, as we'll as
in Galicia, the leaders of the Austro-
German forces declare they are sweep
ing the Russians before them That
the Russians have retreated a consid
erable distance in the last few days
is borne out by Petrograd dispatch
which says that southwark from the
Bazura river the Russian line extends
to Opoczno, twenty-five miles east OF
Pietrkow, which they recently evacu-
ated, and forty-fve miles east of
Sczerczow, where the Russians first
opposed the German extreme right
This shows the Russians have been
driven back forty-ive miles since the
evacuation of Lodz, which the Rus
SLAMS say was logical sequence Of
the retirement to their third line OF
defense. The Russians claim, how
ever, this retirement to the south of
LcdZ has no bearing on the attack on
Warsaw
The vigorous Austrian offensive in
Southern Poland and Galicia has ne
cessitated the withdrawal of many
troops heretofore used in Servia and
there are indications that the Aus
trian attempts to crush Servia will
be abandoned for the time being.
Allies Report Gains.
The operations OF the allies in
Flanders and Northern France, after a
long period of sporadic fighting at de-
tached points, apparently have assum-
ed the character of general move
ment in an attempt to press back the
entire German line. The French Off
cial statement says that appreciable
gains have been made not only in
Flanders, but at other points in the
long battle line. although it is ad-
mitted that the Germans are resisting
with determination.
The French statement says the day
brought nothing of Importance in Bel
GUM, if exception is made of some
progress in the region of Lombaertiz-
yde and st. Georges and at point to
the southeast of the Inn of Kortaker,
which is southeast of Bixschoote; the
occupation of some houses in War
telem, south of Zillebeke, and the Ger.
man bombardment of the hospital at
Ypres.
Between the Lys and the Aisne riv-
ers the French say the allies have oc-
cupied forest near the route be-
tween Noulettes and Souchez and cap
tured the first line of German trenches
between this highway and the first
houses of Notre Dame de Loretta,
southwest of LoOs.
German Cruiser May Be Sunk.
London, Dec. 22.-Persistent rumors
are current that a German cruiser has
been sunk off the coast of Scotland.
1t also is rumored that two British
destroyers arrived at Leith, Scotland.
eovoro1v DAMAGED There is no off