The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-24
TeutOnic Allies Face to Face
With Sturdy Defenders.
Austrians Capture MitrOvitsa;
Pristina Also Falls.
GREECE is STILL A PUZZLE
Both Sides Find Consolation in
Athens's Attitude.
Italy Looks for Immediate Fall
of Gorizia.

London. Nov. 24.-The Teutonic all
lies are face to face with the Serbs
northern army today.
The big battle evidently is at hand.
Official news from Vienna tell of
the Austrian capture of Mitrovitsa-
The Berlin foreign office announces
Pristina's occupation by the Germans
and Bulgarians.
The two towns are twenty miles
apart, Mitrovitsa at the northwest and
Pristina at the southeastern end of the
Kossava plateau-the famous Black
bird plains. On this plain, stretching
from one town to the other, the Serbs
are entrenched.
All the way across central Serbia,
sixty miles from Nish to their present
position, the Serbs have fought every
step of the way. The invaders ad-
vance was slow in the face of this des-
perate resistance and on account of
the difficulties of the country.
Main Battle Soon.
Whether they have come up to the
Serbs IN sufficient force yet for an inn
mediate attack is not yet known In
any event, it is felt that there can be
a delay of but a few hours before the
main battle begins.
If the struggle lasts long it is be-
lieved the whole Serbian force will
position by the Austrians to the south
west and by the Germans and Bulgars
to the northwest. from Pristina, will
form a Gordon completely around the
Serbs.
At best, it appears that the Serbs
must be driven to the westward from
the plains into the Montenegrin noun
tains. Their capture of this force will
complete the Teutonic conquest of old
Serbia and San Jak of Navibazar,
which Became Serbian following the
Turkish war.
Capture of Pristina by the Austrians
marked their advance to about $50
miles south of the northern Serbian
boundary.
The fate of Monastir is still in the
balance. Reports emanating from
Athens state that the Bulgarians,
having regard for Greek SUSCEPTIBLE
ties, are waiting for the Germans to
come up and occupy the city.
In the entente capitals renewed
confidence is professed that Greece is
moving toward complete agreement
with the wishes of the allies.
Berlin has revived the report that
Russia is contemplating a great cam
paign in the Balkans, for which a
large army has been gathered at
Odessa. The Germans who have given
publicity to this report do not seem
at all sure Rumania will refuse per-
mission to this army to cross her
territory.
sPetrograd reports a slight advance
along the. Styr river, with sharp
checks for the Germans and Aus
trians, and both the northern and
southern portions of the eastern front.
Vienna, however, says there is moth
ing worthy of report along this line.
Nevertheless, there is apprehension in
Vienna and Berlin of the result Of the
expected Russian offensive in the ex-
treme southeast
Italy looks for the immediate fall
of Gorizia, which, according to the
latest reports, is dominated by artil-
lery on both sides and forms no.
mans land
Italians in Balkan Smash.
London, Nov. 24.-Italian troops
now landing on the Albanian coast
will strike at once across the country
for the Serbian frontier. according to
Swiss advices today.
The Italian plan is understood to be
to strike at the flank of the AustrO-
German forces engaged in the south
ern drive through Serbia. Montenegrin
forces are expected to cooperate with
them.
The march across Albania is but
forty or fifty miles, but will be attend
ed with great difficulty owing to the
mountainous country and the absence
of roads.
Austrians Ralxcd on IsonzO Front.
Geneva. Nov. 24.-Carrying the
Austrian position between Salventino
and Pademora by smashing charge.
the Italians have taken two trenches
defending the Pademura bridge on the
Isonzo line, according to news received
from the front today.
One thousand Austrian prisoners
fell into the Italians hands.
A terrific bombardment of the
whole Austrian Isonzo front continues
today.
Every day sees an increase in the
violence of the Italian attack on
Goritz Shells are literally 'showered
upon the Austrian position at the
bridgehead. Both sides are steadily
strengthening their forces. The losses
have been enormous
The Italians have suffered more
heavily than the Austrians who are
in defended positions.
Rome, Nov 24.-The Austrian war
council has decided that Germany
must be asked to send reinforcenents
to the troops holding the Isonzo line
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