The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1915-02-26
A GENERAL SURVEY OF
The WAR.

refused to change her position in con-
sequence of the American note con-
corning the war zone decree, although
expressing the most friendly feelings
toward this country. The German re-
ply, a summary of which was cabled
from Berlin, asserts that Germany
cannot abandon her position, in view
of the attempts of England to cut off
the food supply of noncombatants and
recommends that the United States
send warships to protect American
vessels passing through the danger
zone.
The German decree went into effect
at midnight.
Emperor William has telegraphed
to the president of the province of
East Prussia that the Russians have
been completely defeated and driven
from the province. An official com.
mUnication from Vienna says that the
Russians have been defeated in Blu
kOWina, where the AustrO-German
forces have been advancing recently.
TIL Austrians have reOccupied KOlo.
Eea after a hard battle. A report from
the Russian war office speaks of Zero
cious fighting in northern Poland and
says that the Russians have won the
advantage in several engagements in
Galic1a.
Friday, Feb. 19.-The Norwegian
tank steamer Belridge which was
either torpedoed or struck a mine and
was beached near Dover in sinking
condition and the French steamer
DirOrah which was torpedoed by
submarine off Dieppe but was towed
safely to port by tugs, are the only
victims thus far of the German block
ade'' since it's formal inauguration.
Failure of the German note to reach
this government officially prevents Off
Gals here from taking any action re-
garding the situation created by Ger
mGny's war zone" operations. Com,
ments based on unpublished reports
OF the note indicate though that this
government intends to stand by it's
original declarations, especially it's
determination to hold Germany &C.
cCuntable for the loss of American
property or life on the high seas.
Saturday, Feb. 20.-The British for
eign office has issued it's reply to the
American note concerning the use of
the United States flag by British mer-
camille ships. The document shows
that the government would not bind
itself to guarantee that neutral flags
will be employed in the future. 1t de-
cIares also that if the obligation of
visit and search is not adhered to
and neutral ships are sunk without
regard to the dictates of internation-
al law and humanity, the onus for
such action will rest upon the gov
eminent ordering that such obligation
should be disregarded.
A dispatch from Cracow says the
Russians have begun to lombard
Przemysl with new heavy artillery and
that they have driven the Austrians
back along the Krosto-Gorlice line.
Severe fighting continues in the vi
cirity of Armentieres and" between
Ypres and the sea, where the Germans
are vainly continuing their efforts to
cut the allied lines of communication.
Sunday, Feb. 21.-The U. S. steamer
Evelyn with a cargo of cotton for
Bremen struck a mine off BOrkum is
land and sank Twenty of her crew
were rescued Washington has in
structed the American embassies at
London and Berlin to report all facts
obtainable. The small Irish steamer
Downshire was sunk by German sub
marine off the Calf of Man in the Irish
sea after the crew was permitted to
leave the vessel.
The Paris war office reports some
trenches of the enemy taken in the
sector of Ypres and that their gains
in Champaign were maintained.
Berlin reports further progress in
the Vosges and the capture of two
towns in the region southeast of Sui
zern. The report says there is moth
ins new from Poland south of the Wis
tuia.