The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-17
HOLLAND AND ITALY MAKE SIM
LIAR PROTEST TO UNITED
STATES.
Diplomatic Questions Overshado~
military observation-disclosures
Fall Back


LONDON. Feb. is. 1920 p. m
Great Britain received today through
Walter Hines PAGE. the American am
bassador. Germans offer TO with
draw her threat OF a submarine block
AIDE against Great Britain II the Brit
ish navy would permit the free move
ment OF foodstuffs TO the civil popula-
ton OF Germany.
There Is no expectation here that
the offer will be accepted. In fact.
Great Britain already Il preparing 20
retaliate against Germany by placing
under more stringent control ships de-
stined to German ports; and a proc
lamation mOmentarily is expected de-
claring a blockade of the German
coast. or. at any rate. the prohibition
of foodstuffs destined for Germany.
The cabinet with it's naval and mill
tary advisers. considered this question
today and Il is understood the deci-
sion is awaiting the formal confirma-
ton OF the privy council. from whiSh
all proclamations emanate.
In the, meantime British and neutral
vessels are moving as freely as usual.
with the exception of those belonging
to a few Dutch lines. which have re-
duced their number of sailings. The
Norwegian and Danish insurance com
panies have given instructions that
steamers insured by them shall have
their national colors. the names Of the
ships and the country OF their origin
painted conspicuously on the sides "
all vessels
Holland and Italy. Ike the United
States. have protested TO Germany
against her sea war zone threat and
have asked Great Britain not 10 make
free use OF neutral flags Similar
representations are expected TO be
made to the two countries tomorrow
in Joint way by Norway. Sweden and
Denmark.
Important Movements.
For the time being questions OF
diplomacy are arousing more interest
than the actual lighting, although nrtl-
itary movements OF the first import
ance are taking place especially along
the eastern lines. The German Of
fensiye. strongly supported by fresh
troops, is being pushed win great
vigor both along The East Prussian
frontier and in Poland, north OF tie
lever Nistula. The Russians now
have evacuated East Prussia. except
for o small area near Lyck, where
they are opposing the German ad-
vance, and also are apparently fall
inF back in North Poland. for the
Germans today announced that they
have occupied Flock and Bielsk, which
the Russians recaptured from them a
short time ago.
While the Germans claim to have
inflicted heavy losses on the retiring
mil
newspaper correspondents in Petro-
grad continue to refer to the Musco-
vite movement as a strategical retire
ment to the TOrtined line which lies
along the Niemen river through Kov-
no, Grodno and Lomza. and thence
southwest to the fortress OF Novoe
Georgiewsk
Heavy fighting also continues in
the Carpathians and Kukowina. In
Bukowina the Russians also are fall
Ing back, but they continue to hold
the Carpathian passes farther west,
and are putting up a stubborn resist
ance to the Austro-German offensive
In that region. Here the fighting Is
taking place in deep snow. and both
sides are suffering severely.
The large number of troops the
Germans are using in the east, a Is
believed by military observers here.
Will prevent for some time any at
tempt by the Germans to break the
deadlock in the west.
Distinguished Service.
Although there have been no events
OF outstanding importance on this
front, a long Official report OF the Oh
erations OF the British force from
November to the beginning OF Feb
ruary Issued today. shows that there
always IS more or less activity there.
Despite the weather and the state OF
the ground. the report says. there has
been lot Of trench Fighting in which
The Indians and British territoriaIs
distinguished themselves. General
French In the report. pays nigh trib-
ute to the Indians. and OF the terrific.
rails says they have far more than
justified the most sanguine hopes en-
tertained Of their value IN the field.
me report edds that reinforcements
are arriving regularly.
The first OF the promised bi-weekIv
reports OF the doings Of the British
army In France also was issued today.
u claims that progress has been made
in the region Of Ia Basse. where the
Germans are said % have suffered Sc
we're losses. and that the British arfU.
lery has shown marked superiority
over that Of the Germans.
There was no further news TODAY
or the new German offensive In al.
SAGE which is designed to stop the
French advance toward Muelhauson
or OF the French offensive IN the vi
Gritty OF St Mlhiel. which. Il il said.
threatens the communications be-
tween that town and Metz.
Strained Relations
The relations between Greece and
turkey apparently are becoming moro
strained. Although Turky has offered
reparation for the insult 70 the Greek
military attache at ConstantinopIo. 10