Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-08-26
BALKANS NEARING
DECISION IN WAR
PROBLEM OF EAST
Definite News of Intentions Of
States Impossible to Obtain
Though Many Rumors
Reach London.
GALLIPOLI SUCCESS DENIED
British Press Representative
Reports Condition In Darda-
nelles as But Slightly
Changed.
GALLIPOLI SUCCESS DENIED

Berlin. (via London). Aug. 26.-
The Russian advanced positions to
the southwest of the fortress of
Brest-Litovsk were broken through
yesterday by the Germans, accord
Ing to an official announcement
given out today by the army head
quarters staff.
London. Aug. 26.-The Balkan states
are unquestionably nearer determina-
ton of their future relations with the
warning powers. but so far as has been
announced officially no definite step
has been taken in the direction of
revival of the Balkan league and its
adhesion to the cause of the entente
allies. There was no confirmation to-
day of various rumors which excited
London yesterday. chief Of which were
that that Bulgaria had declared war against
Turkey and would assist in the attempt
to force the DardanelIes.
Inc situation brought about by the
sinking of the Arabic still is eliciting
comment from the English press.
Whlch characterizes unofficial German
Prets efforts to explain the disaster
as evidence of Germany's realization
that her relations with the United
Staies nave reached a serious phase
The furious efforts of the Austro-
German y, ma , armies along the eastern front
lruitfu ! as usual in respect of the
amount of ground gained, which is
taken to mean that they have now
reached the dreaded swamp regions.
German and Austrian reports state
that further advances have been
achieved. !. both north and south 81
Hrest- Z. itoysk. and ystlat the Pnfves-
river line has been passed. Austrian
cavalry has entered Kovel and Is said
to be advancing to the north, but the
outf1anking movement from this quar-
ter will be confronted by the barrier
formed by. the River Pripet and the
adjacent marshes.
The German press. recognizing this
difficulty. points out that the armies
OF the central powers face a serious
obstacle IN the immense and roadless
Prlpet. From the Champagne district
and from the Argonne the only reports
received refer to fighting in which
mines We're exploded
In the Vosges yesterday there We're
ensagements with hand grenades on
the Rarrenkopf
"A French aviator last night threw
down bombs on the railroad station at
Lorrach in the grand duchy of Baden.
70 miles to the southwest OF Fribourg.
OPTIMISTIC DISPATCHES
NOT UPHELD BY BRlToN
London. Aug. ga long dispatch
from the British press representative
in the Dardanelles was issued today. It
is dated August IL, and gives numer-
Gus details of the landing in Suvla bay
ana the diversion provided by the Aus
tral1an forces on the Anzaccove as re-
ported in Gen. Sir Ian Hamilton's dis
patch on August 10.
While abounding in testimonies as
to the valor Of the British forces and
the fierceness and stubborHness of the
fghting this dispatch fails to support
recent reports of sweeping allied sue
cesses on the Gallipoli peninsula and
the real conclusion to be drawn from
it is that the position has undergone no
material change for the better.
Forest Fire HaIts Move.
Official statement issued by the press
bureau August 20 said "the Turks have
been able to bring our further advance
at this point to a standstill" according
to today's detailed dispatch the Suvla
bay forces encountered no very serious
opposition on first reaching the shore
but before it covered much ground be-
yond Salt Lake, the Turks brought up
reinforcements and the advance on the
new line was checked by the accidental
ignition of the woods and dense UNDER
SIOWlu, WHICH IOr lllno affecte0
friend and foe alike. These fires, to
some extent We're responsible for the
failure of the troops to accomplish the
full task set for them.
THE Anzac" forces in the adjacent
zone, according to the report fought
with the greatest audacity and won
much additional ground. esta ablishing a
contract with the Suvla bay forces. The
whole line. the report says, has dug
itself in and therefore for the time be-
ing the movement apparently has end
| ed.
While the present British positions
may ultimately threaten the Turkish
| communications and give possible op-
portunity for cutting off the Turks ON
| the tip of the peninsula there is no in
| dication in the present dispatch that
the situation Of the Turks is yet
critical.