Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-07

London, Jan. 6-9 P. M.-The House
Of Lords met today month earlier
than the House of Commons. chiefly
to hear from Lord Kitchener a re-
view Of the military operations, for
the six weeks since Parliament was
prorogued. The report of the secre-
tary for war contained nothing sem
sational and not already known but
was listened to with rapt attention by
@ distinguished gathering.
Peers in Robes
The peers as usual were in their
robes of office but beyond this, the
scene lacked the usual color, for of the
long rows of peeresses in the gallery,
virtually every one was in mourning
for some relative killed at the front.
Lord Kitchener read his speech. from
a typewriter document and referred
briefly to the operations in every
sphere. laying particular emphasis on
the Turkish defeat in the Caucasus
and the Austrian defeat in Galicia and
what he considered even more impor-
tant-"The severe check of German
aspirations in Poland"
The war secretary also spoke OF
THE noteworthy progress" made by
the French east of Rheims and in
southern Alsace. and the Extra ordin-
ary achievements" of the Servians,
which he characterized, "one Of the
brightest spots in the military opera
tions during December"
Indian Reverses
OF the army which comes directly
under his command, the war secre-
tary told of the surprises and reverse
suffered by the Indians at Givenchy,
Dec. 20, when they lost a trench, which
they afterwards regained, and added:
The British line thus resumed, has
since then been entirely maintained
He expressed satisfaction with the
progress of recruiting which, after the
anticipated decrease at Christmas mas
now been almost restored to its For"
mer satisfactory level
Speaking of the anxiety felt at the
beginning of the war at the dearth or
officers, Lord Kitchener declared that
all vacancies had been filled and now
there was a considerable surplus.
before lHe duJouI AiiiSAl ia eAN
House, several of the Lords brought
up the question of enemy aliens not
informed in England, whom they con-
sidered a menace The Earl of Crewe,
speaking for the government, promised
to give the matter further considera-
ton.
Kjtehener's Information
Inv 1,o
month of December the allied forces
made progress at various points, but the
tide of battle ebbed and flowed with va
rying success.
I'm spite of the unfavorable weather
the French army made noteworthy pro-
gress to the east of Rheims and in
southern Alsace.
notwithstanding the transfer of Ger
man troops to the eastern theatre of the
war, they left sufficient strength to hold
their trenches in the west.
German aspirations in Poland have
suffered a severe check. and it is evident
that they realize the infinite difficulty Of
winter operations in Russia.
Lord Kitchener said that notwithstand-
ing the severe attacks of the Germans
along the Bzura and Rawka rivers, the
Russians for more than a fortnight had
frustrated their efforts to advance any
nearer to Warsaw. He said that the
Germans had been greatly hampered by
faulty communications and that their
casualties had been heavy
One Brightest Spot
, zone Of the brightest spots in the mill
itary operations during December has
been the extraordinary achievements of