The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-20
By a Wide Sweeping Move ment Large Metropolis Falls-Defending Army Nearly Surrounded
THE FALL OF WILMA
 ALREADY DISCOUNTED IN RUSSIAN REPORTS.
In the Balkans Situation Is Becoming Acute Because of Bulgaria's Attitude To- ward the Allies

WdIu tllC AllICO
 London, s D t e m b CT 19. GAO D.. m.)-The Germans have occupied Wilma and, by a wide sweeping vem n t north of that city, have almost if not entirely surrounded a part of the Russian army fighting in the railway tri- angle between Wilma, Lida and Vileika.
 The Russians in the district now must either fight their way out eastward or retire in the southwesterly direction, for the only railway left entire ly in their hands is that run ming from Wilma to Lida and thence to Baranovitchi.
 von Hindenburg's army, which took Wilma and has reached vileika, west of Wilma. is working in close coopera- tion with that of Archduke Leopold of Bavaria in an effort to catch part of the Russian army. an operation often tried without success since the Austro-G Germans commenced their drive in early May
 The Russians express confidence in the outcome of the battle, but with their northern armies closely held along the Dvina, and the German flank well protected by their cavalry, which recently occupied widsy. across the vilna-Petrograd railway, it seems impossible that any aid can come to them from that direction.
 The battle seemingly must be fought out between troops now in the district between Wilma, Lida and Slonim. with the assistance of any endorsements that can be spared to hold the German force that has reached vileika.
 Ivanoff Still Winning
 At the southern end of the lIne General Ivonhon is still keeping Von Macken- zen at arms length from the fortress of Rovno, the key to the route to Kiev, and in counter attacks has retaken villages in Volhynia and Galicia.
 It seems apparent from the inability . Am NAvaa to krIl kl-t- sitions in the south that they have sent endorsements from that front to Field Marshal Von Hindenburg's northern army, which, as heretofore. Is expected to score the biggest success.
 Wilma, city of some 170.O00 inhabt- ants on the Warsaw-Petrograd railway line, has been the aim of German of- fensive conducted for weeks past in the course of Field Marshal Won Hindenburg widespread operations on the northern end of the extended battle line in the east
 After the fall of Kovno and Grodno no fortress barrier remained to halt the Ger mans moving on Wilma. but stuoporn oe- fensive measures were taken by the Rus sians. Wilma was the northern key posi- ton on the important strategic railway line running southeastward to Rovno, which the Russians were striving to re- tain. It was on this line the defenders Apparently had their sole opportunity to retreat along railway routes when the German offensive recently developed in- tensive force.
 Fall Had Been Expected
 The fall of Wilma had been expected. Last week Petrograd dispatches stated that Wilma. As well as Dvinsk, another of Von Hindenburg's objectives, had been omptied of stores and abandoned by gov ernment and private institutions. It was declared neither point was regarded as of further strategic importance. except as a section of the general front, and that 1t was not the Russian purpose to defend Wilma at all costs.
 Wilma has been an important indus trial and trade center. Recent estimates have stated that probably half the popula- tion vas Jewish with only small native Russian element. Numerous Lithuanians and Poles dwelt there also.
 With the capture of Wilma the Germans seem likely to find the way more easily opened to Dvinsk. virtually the entire Ifailroad line leading northea stward to that city now apparently being in their bands. Both the Germans and the French claim minor victories on the western front, but neither there. in the Italian theatre nor In the De-denelies have any events of any great moment been reported.
 Bulgaria h Threatening
 The political situation In the Balkans 10 still shrouded with considerable 1nys- tery. The Bulgarians after getting wnat they wanted from Turkey in the cession of railway line. appear to be well sat ished for the present. But there now Is talk in Berlin of the Bulgarians taking by force. if they cannot get it otherwise. the parts of Macedonia taken from them I by the 6ervians and Greeks in the la st Balkan war. It is asserted that the Bull garians have called to the coiors all the Macedonian recruitb now In Bulgaria and that generally there Is warlIke feei,ng among the Bulgars. With Bulgaria surrounded by servia, Greece and Rumania and her coasts open . 70 attack by Anglo French, Italian and Russiah deets. however. 1t is believed here ! that Bulgaria will hesitate before throw { ing in her lot with the central powers and Turkey. S zs a E Turkey is declared to be having her own | troubles over the cession of the Dedeag- hatch railway. The Mussolman popdlA- ton in this strip of land ia uaid to be{ \ ! in revolt agalnnt beine ploeed under the