Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-12-30
SEVERE WEATHER IN RUSSIA
No Important Movements There
until End of January-Salo-
niki Now Considered Safe
$4,000 Serbian Soldiers in
Fighting Trim Again.

London. Dec. % 2a-Despatchcs from both
east and west express the belief that
the winter weather is likely to prove the
most severe obstacle to war operations
on the principal fronts during the next
few weeks
THE most dreaded period Of winter is
from the end of December TO the end
Of January" was French generals
reply year ago to the demands for
great offensive. The same remark
would probably apply equally this year
Reuters correspondent at western
headquarters. after rcmarking that the
British staff is confident that tho allies
are now strong ia men and mun-
tions that they can break through the
German lines whenever the right time
comes, declares that the weather is the
chief reason for postponing the big
movement, and adds
such a movement needs careful plan
ming and extreme caution. Rolling-up
tactics always involve the possibility OF
counter attacks, which may end in roll
ing up the aggressor With tho face Of
the country in porous condition, it Is
impossible to effect the essential quick
movements of artillery. without which
any big offensive Is foredooncd TO fail.
1.-THE allied troops would probably have
little trouble in occupying the greater
part of the German front trenches forth
with, because the enemy holds these
lightly. But then? With tho ranges
registered to n nicety from myriads of
artillery and machine guns such a step
would he sheer suicide until tine oppor-
tunlty is ripe
a Russian correspondent writes: THE
most severe part OF winter has now be-
gun In the Russian theatre. All reports
agree that the weather this year is
harder than usual. 1t is increasingly
doubtful if any serious events will occur
until the end of January"
Despite the weather the duel in the
Vosges mountains. in the western zone,
continues and may eventually prove to
be one OF the big operations of the war.
The gains in either direction thus far
| have been small, but the French claim
progress In their effort to establish them
selves on the crest Of the foothills, which
here dominate the plain.
BY all accounts Salonili is now safe.
Certainly the central powers show no
| haste to attack the allies position Sew
formed at Scutari and Eloassan. IN AL
| bania. and the Montenegrin army. which
| heretofore has been debarred geographic
cally from taking any large part in the
war, is now throwing itself energetically
| into the contest galnst the Austrians.
| Reports that the Austrians are attack
ing Scutar are authoritatively denied.
| According to the latest ahvices the Aus
trians We're at Bielopolje. where they
We're recently repulsed by the Montene-
grins and cannot reach Scutari without
crossing the Albanian Alps and the
| flooded river Drin.
No official announcement is vet
available in London as to the decision
OF the cabinet in favor OF compulsion
but the political atmosphere has been
cons deratly cleared by the admission
that the principle of compulson s ac-
cepted By majority of tho members
Of the cabinet. Public opinion has not
yet crystalized but there is widespread
approval of Premier Asquith's general
attitude, and there 10 a feeling that
the public Is quite ready to be con-
WINGED.
The difficulties within the cabinet
may he expected to disminish as the
question shapes itself in practical
form.
A Joint meeting of the representa-
tives OF the labor party and the fed
GRAFTON of trade unions has been sum
! moned for tomorrow. and a detailed
statement of the labor attitude is like.
ly to follow.
, The Turks have entirely ceased theil
attacks against the British force a
Kut- FL -Amara, Mesopotamia. there
having been no operations there since
| Christmas day.
1t is unofficially reported that Swed
ish land batteries nave opened fire OF
German torpedo hoats which were
$ chasing swedish steamer IN Swedish
territorial waters.