Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-07
KITCHENER CHARY
OF INFORMATION
Lord CurZon Criticizes War Sec
retary for Withholding Facts
From Public.
REPORTS WARS PROGRESS
Tells Something of What Allies
Have Accomplished Against
Germans.

Especial Cable to The Times Dispatch. ]
LONDON. January G.--I.ord Kitch-
encr. Secretary for War. In speech
in the House of Lords this afternoon,
reviewed recent military operations
and set forth the present state of the
war. When the War Secretary md fin
ishcd, he was sharply questioned by
Lord Cnrzon. who criticized MIN for
his rcticence In regard to the opera
tons In East Africa. and intimatcd
that recruiting was not progressing
In satisfactory manner
During the month OF December
said Lord Kitchener, the allied forces
made progress at various points. but
the tide of battle has ebbed and flowed
with varying success.
In spite of the unfavorable weather,
the French army has made noteworthy
progress east OF Rheims and In South
ern A!sacc. Notwithstanding the
transfer OF German troops TO the east
left sufficient strength to hold their
trenches in the west
GERMAN ASPIRATIONS
SUFFER- SEVERE CHECK
German aspirations In Poland have
suffered severe check. II Is evident
the Germans have realized the infinite
difficulty of winter operations In
Russia.
We received news last night of n
RUSSIAN victory in the Caucasus
which should have a far-rcaching in
huence on all Turkish operations
one of the brightest spots in the
military operations during December
mas been the extraordinary achieve
ment of the gallant Servian army.
In the eastern theatre at the end
OF November, the German army Was
reinforced By troops from the western
theatre. and they were able to cxtrl-
cate themselves from n difficult posi-
ton.
The much-talke advance of
Turkish forces against Egypt has. up
to the present. failed to materialize
The situation In South Africa has
undergone g. q most welcome change.
General Botha has handled the mill
tary situation In a masterly manner
ana has stamped out the rebellion The
result gives great confidence in the
future success of any operations that
General Rotha may undertake"
Lord Kitchener culogiZed the cour-
age of the people OF Hartlepool, Scar
borough and Whitby at the time of the
recent bombardment by German war
vessels NO military advantage was
gained by these wnnton attacks" he
declared.
The allies" he continued. "are daily
increasing their resources in men and
material. which will enable them to
prosecute the war to triumphant
end"
He stated that the names of 21SoO0
persons willing TO serve II called upon
had been registered. as the result of
n householdcrs canvass The antic!-
pated Increase In numbers of recruits
during Christmas week had given
place to rise which had almost re-
stored weekly returns to their former
satisfactory level"
SURPLUS OF TRAINING OFFICERS
WITH EXPEDITIoNARY FORCES
The expeditionary forces. he said.
had been fitted up with IL considerable
surplus of training officers. Since the
war began 29.100 officers had been
appointed.
General French's forces have been
Increased by territorial units" he said,
and also by new division to which is
attached fine Canadian regiment"
Summarizing recent operations In
the east. Lord Kitchener said:
"On the left bank Of the Vistula, the
Germans assuming the offensive, sue
ceeded in advancing by the middle OF
December to line marked by the
Rivers BZura and Rawka. thirty miles
west or Warsaw. Despite repeated at
tacks, the Russians for over 81 fort
night have frustrated their violent ef-
forts to advance nearer Warsaw.
In Eastern Prussian the situation
has undergon little change since the.
Russians succeeded at the end of No
Vember In driving the German army
from prepared positions within the
German frontier.
"On the bank of the Vistula the
German advance has been arrested.
In the first half of December the Ger
man force which invaded Poland was
met by bold Russian tactics, which
compelled the Germans to retire be-
hind the German frontier, though
Mlawa has again become, temporarily,
a German possession.
now be considered as clear of the
enemy. who's" attempts to cross the
river from the south and from the
north have been repulsed
Belgrade was occupied on December
by the Austrians, who wero then
making an effort to turn the left wing
OF the Servian army. The Servians.
however. suddenly assumed start
lingly successful offensive and com
pletely routed the Austrians"
Lord Kitchener continued:
Montenegro has captured an i'm
portant position In the face of con-
siderable opposition. In Mcsopotamia
the Indian cxpcdi,ionary force has con-
tinued Its northern advance. defeating
Turkish troops. who suffered heavy
losses.
BODIES OF Turkish troops, under
German officers. have been observed at
tempting to penetrate east OF the Suez
Continued on Second Pnge)
START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT