The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-22
Continual Struggle in Mud and Snow to Hold Posi-
 tions in France
ARTILLERY DOES
 BULK OF WORK
Allies Report Progress al Some Points-Russians on Offensive Again and Attempt En,elop-
 ing Movement

London. January :f.--uI,25 r. mo The battle for the trenches in Elan dcrs and Frnncc continues almost without cessation from the sen tc tho Swiss border.
 In the mud of Flanders, the floods of the Aisne valley md the snows of the Argonne and the Nosses. the sol dicrs of Germany md the nlited na- tions keep up continual fight to hold what they possess and taking some thing from thnt held by the enemy.
 According to long French official re- port today of the fighting during the past two months this method Of siege opera tons has favored the allies, who, while they have gained ground on almost every part of the front. have been forced to give way in only one region, that of Sois- sons. They are being put to a test how ever, similar to that which obliged them to retire from north of the Aisne. near Soissons. because the Germans realizing the danger of thelr communications with Metz as n result Of the French advance near Pont-A-M -Mousson, have sent rein forcements there and have begun battle for the positions they lost during the past week. The Germans apparently have re- gained portion of them, and fighting for the remainder continues
 Infantry Engagements
 At other points. particularly near St. Mihel .and in Alsace, there have been infantry engagements, but on the whole the artillery continues to be the busiest arm
 The Russians have renewed offensive operations against Mlawa, a town that al- ready has changed hands often. and it appears they again will attempt to envelop the German forces holding the line of ths Mazurian lakes and avenge themselves for the defeat at Tannenburg.
 On the rest of the Polish front and iu tialieia, Austro-Gelanan attacks are be- coming more intermittent, according to tho Russian report. which Is generally brief when big events are happening.
 The Russians continue their progress on the Austrian outposts in tho noun tains between Bukowina and Transsl. vania.
 The Germans explain the dropping of bombs on towns and villages in Norfolk. England by saving their airshps had been tired or. British armen, In turn. have been busy in Belgium. and according to a report from Holland have ventured as far as Essen. Rhenish Prussia, where they destroyed some buildings.
 Asks ExDlanations
 Holland has asked Germany to explain reports that the German airships on their way to England passed over Dutch terri. tory.
 Arehduke Charles Francis heir to tho Austrian throne. has arrived at German headauarters on visit to the Emperor. and Baron stephen BurIan. the Austro. Hungarian minister of foreign affairs. is due there within a few days. It is ex, pscted the conference of the Germaniu allies will decide whether the Austro-Ger. mans will gc on with the expedition for the subjugation of Servia or turn their attention to the Russian armies invading Hungary from the north and the east.
 With all other occupations. England has found force to deal with the Mad Null lah.' who has been stirring up the tribes in Somaliand and attacking those friendly to Great Britain, The mullah's adherents have been defeated and scattered.