The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1915-12-04
SERBIANS RETREAT
Berlin Announces End of Operations
Against Defenders Scenes of Inde-
scribable Horror Enacted-Russian
Army Threatens
Holds Out

Army Threatens s-Goritz
Holds Out
Serbia it now appears is about free of
Serb forces According to all reports the
army of patriots has been retreating over
the western border into Montenegro and
Albania the past week, in an effort to
escape Teutonic enveloping movement.
Rumor states that the Serb capital has
been transferred to Scutari, Albania.
According to Berlin reports more than
100000 men, almost half Of the entire Serb
ian fighting force, have been taken prison
ers, and the announcement is now made
that Germany's operations against Serbia
have been brought practically to close.
The civil population is reported starv-
ing. Men, women and children fleeing in
thousands before the advancing hostile
armies are dropping along the roadside
from hunger.
The world war has shown no scenes of
greater horror than those now being en-
acted in this Eastern theater The early
arrival Of winter which natives predict
will be severe, is adding it's terrors Snow
fell at Saloniki some days ago, for the first
time in eight years, and this is taken as
sign that in the mountains there will be
very heavy fall.
Germanic Forces Menaced from New
Source
No sooner is Serbia disposed Of than the
Austro-German forces face a new danger.
Russia, according to reports, having mobil-
lied an army in BesSarabia, Of 350,OO0 men.
Signs have multiplied that Roumania is
becoming more and more inclined to align
herself with the entente allies 1t has
been generally known that she was wait
ing for the Allies to have half a million
men in the near East before joining their
cause, and it is thought probable that the
Cars forces, in conjunction with the
splendid army of King Ferdinand, will
soon cooperate with the French and Brit
ish armies in the Balkans.
To head off this danger it is said that
the Austro-Germans are throwing force
along the Roumanian frontier.
Fate of Goritz Still in the Balance
The Italians struggle for the possession
Of Goritz has continued without abatement
during the past week. Time and again
vast forces of men have been thrown
against the Austrian Notifications, by
General Cadorna, only to be repulsed and
scattered by the deadly fire of the heavy
guns defending the strongholds.
London reports express the belief that
the fall Of the fortress is only matter of
days and weeks at the most. The Italians
are sacrificing hundreds of thousands of
lives in their effort to achieve their object
before severe winter sets in. On several
occasions they have broken through the
hostile lines and penetrated outlying posi-
tions, but have usually been driven out.
The Italian attacks have in many cases
developed into hand-to-hand encounters of
the fercest nature, the assailants being
especially feared because Of their unusual
ability in handling knives.
Fighting Along Eastern Front Practically
Suspended
Il now seems settled fact that the Ger
mans have abandoned all hope Of Riga S
capture before spring. The Russians have
announced that they deem the city safe
for the present
The Czar's armies are recovering from
recent defeats with surprising agility, and
It is common talk in London that an army
of three million men will soon be ready
for action. 1t is probable, however, that
all operations will be reserved until the
spring
France Calls Glass of 1917 to Colors
France has now called to the colors all
boys of Is, who in times of peace would
begin military service in 1917 This COM
prises contingent of about 100000 young
men. The call will take effect on Decem-
Der Is, when they will be sent to ,garrisons
TO be trained and then incorporated in
various regiments and divisions of the
service.
Immense French Loan to Push War
France is now said to have broken the
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