Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-01-27
TURKS CLAIM VICTORY
OVER FRENCH AT FEZ
New Austro-German Plan in East
Exerts Marked Influence on
Campaign.
AUSTRIA REPORTS SUCCESSES
Fighting Continues Along La Basses
Canal in Western Arena-Paris
Says Germans Have Suffered
Heavy Lossee.

LONDON, January 27.-Dis-
patches from Cairo state that
great military activity prevails at
the Suez canal. British troops and
warships are being assembled,
and all civilians are leaving the
vicinity of the canal. Important
reconnoissances are being made.
1t IS reported that three Turk
ish army corps, about 10000
men, are marching on Egypt. un-
der command of Djemal Pasha.
Constantinople reports that the
leader of the Moroccan rebels,
Abdul Malik, has taken Fee, and
that the French lost $500 men in
killed or prisoners and nine guns
and several machine guns.
An engagement occurred yes
terday to the eastward of FL Kan
tara, in Egypt, presumably with
the advance guard of Turkish
army, although details are lack
ing. The Egyptian losses were
one officer and four men slightly
wounded. Only a comparatively
small number of men were en-
gagged in the fighting, which was
in the nature of skirInishes.
Detachments Sighted.
Detachments of Turkish troops have
been sighted at three other points to
the east of the Suez canal, but no fight
ing has resulted except that in the vi
cinity of FL Kantara. In this engage
ment the Turks opened fire at long
range with mountain guns The British
replied with machine guns and rifles.
a British sea plane dropped bombs
upon the Turkish forces near Birmurda-
dad. infiictng losses.
1t has been reported on several occa-
siors since the entrance of Turkey into
the war that an Ottoman expedition
against Egypt would be attempted
According to these reports, the de-
posed Khedive of Egypt. Abbas Hilmi.
was to head this expedition, but he was
Obliged to give up this plan owing to
a wound inflicted in an attempt on his
life at Constantinople several months
ago. which necessitated a trip to
Switzerland to consult a specialist
British military commentators have
asserted that the perils of trip across
the sandy wastes would deter tho
Turks from actually attempting an in
vasion of Egypt.
Germans Seek Victory.
Emperor William is fifty-six years
old today, and. although there is little
information of the days military ac-
tivities. the latest reports available
made it apparent that the emperor's
troops were endeavorins to win for
him birthday gift in the shape of
victory at arms
The new Austro- German plan in the
east. which as an Immediate object
calls for the protection of the dual
monarchy from Russian invasion rather
than the prosecution of the offensive
along the Warsaw front. seems to have
exerted already a marked influence on
the campaign. Heavy reinforcements
of Germans have been sent into Hun
ficial statement today from Vienna re-
ports that important victories over the
Russians have been gained.
The lighting took place at the noun
tain passes leading into northeastern
and northwestern Hungary. and ii is
said that the Russians We're compelled
to eVacuate important positions after
repeated and fruitless counter attacks.
These reported gains for the .Austrian5
follow their successes in Bukowina,
:. hich Vienna regards as having Grip
pied the Russian offensive there and
rendered unlikely the participation of
Roumania in the war. at least at this
time.
Russia Claims Successes.
A Russian official statement asserts
that successes were won IN recent
fighting in Galicia, where attacks Of
the Austro-German forces were re-
pulsed everywhere. In central Poland
along the Warsaw front the Germans
made several violent assaults, but are
said to have been driven back with
heavy losses
more are withstanding the brunt of
the German attack. Severe lighting
continues along La Bassee canal.
Heavy Losses Reported.
Although Berlin reports that every.
where the Germans have been able to
carry out their military plans. the
French official statement of today
chronicles several reverses, particular
ly that at La Bassee. where two days
ago the kaiser's forces were hurled at
the British In repeated and violent at
tacks. On the road from La Bassee to
Bethune, 1T is declared, the bodies of
six German officers and 400 men were
found The French declare that the
I;erman losses In the entire engage
Inent must have been at least two bat
In the region of Perthe, hill no 200.
four violent attacks were delivered by
the Germans, but all of these were re-
pulsed, according to the Paris state
ment. In the Argonne particularly