Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-03-09
Both Russia and Germany
Hint at Big Struggle
West of Warsaw
LITTLE is LEARNED
ABOUT THE BATTLE
Business Like Attack Upon
Dardanelles Causes a
Crisis in the East

London, March 8.--The center of in
terest on the eastern front again mas
shifted with the announcement from
Petrograd that a great battle is deVel
oping on the left bank of the River
Vistula at point to the west and atsc
southwest of Warsaw.
It is not yet clear, judging from mes
sages reaching London, which side has
taken the offensive, but inspired
sources, both in Berlin and Petrograd
has been limiting lately that vital opera
tions might we'll be expected in this
region. Messages from the Russian
capital have declared that the old field
of action in the direction Of Posen ano
Silesia alone could serve as the de-
cisive battle ground, while Berlin has
been predicting another brilliant action
in the direction Of Warsaw by Field
Marshal Won Hindenburg.
No great activity has been reported
elsewhere on the eastern front except
at Rawa to the southwest of Warsaw
where German army headquarters
claim the capture Of 3,400 Russians. It
is possible that this action may be
part Of the great battle which Petro,
grad. says is now under way.
No Change In West.
Attacks and counter attacks form
the text of both the Paris and Berlin
official communications covering
events on the western battle front, but
there is no indication of a decisive gain
by either side.
Attempts by the allied feet to force
passage of the Dardanelles has caused
excitement in the near east, which has
reached the proportions of a cabinet
crisis in Greece.
No new cabinet has as yet been an.
nounced and King Constantine may
face the necessity of forming govern
ment with the popular former premier
Vienizelos leading the opposition.
There is no late news of the situa-
tioE at the Dardanelles, and the Brit
ish public Is awaiting with keen inter
est the next step in the business like
operations marking the work of the
storming fleet
The release of the American cotton
ship Pacific, after several days deten-
tion at Deal, because of Premier AS
quith's blockade policy has not yet
been ratified by an order in council.
One of the unexpected results Of the
submarine war operations has been the
announcement of a reduction in trans
Atlantic passenger rates. This may
even precipitate rate war, unless pas
sengers are willing to pay higher prices
for the safety of the American flag.
Tells Of Battle at Suez.
Philadelphia, Pa, March S.-A battle
between French and British cruisers
and a Turkish land force commanded
by German officers, along the Suez
canal was described by Captain Tulloch
of the British steamer Naneric, which
docked here today after a sixty-five
day voyage from Calcutta Captain
Tulloch, said the Naneric reached the
eastern entrance of thee anal about
February 1.
"The Turks" said the captain, ''at-
tempted to cross the canal, led by Ger
man officers, but were repulsed by the
allies, who directed upon them the fire
not only of field pieces, but Of big guns
of several warships Both sides of the
canal we're heaped with dead bodies
and many of the victims rolled into The
water. The loss of life was very great
and the Turks appeared to be demoral-
lied"