The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-21
Vessel Sighted in the Irish Sea and Is Destroyed Without Notice by the Germans
KAISER'S FORCES ARE
 DECISIVELY BEATEN
 IN RUSSIAN POLAND
Russians Defeat Gerp: IS at Ossowetz W;aaN..sN'eavy Losses vo.ar., Claim Succ 9 West.

1 Pctrograd, February 20.-(Via Lon don, 9:l5 D. m.)--The German forces have been badly beaten at the fortress of OssOwetz, 20 miles northeast of Lomasca, in Russian Poland. after a stubborn artillery battle, according to a telegram from the Russian general staff to high parsonage here. The Germans are reported to have suf- fered heavy losses and are now re- treating to the East Prussian frontier. London, February 2o.--(I0.I5 p. m.) A German submarine made its appear ancc in the Irish sea this morning and torpedoed without notice the British ccasting steamer Cambank of 1900 tons register. Three of the crew were the men were taking to the beats. This incident was the only one con nected with the German submarine blockade of the British isles reported during the day. It came about the same time that the Anglo French fleets were bombarding the Dardanelles forts . telegram from Petrograd, were ad- ministering a defeat to the Germans at Ossowetz, Poland and driving back to the frontier the troops who had attacked the fortress.
 Except for the loss of life. the sink ing of the Cambank was not in it. self serious matter, but the presence of German submarine near the route which the Atlantic liners take on their way to and from Liverpool and along, which many steamers pass daily. is bound to cause some uneasiness. It is true that this Is not the first time that a hostile submarine has been in these waters. bNt the last one to visit them gave the4 crews of three ships which she sank an opportunity to leave the vessels before sinking them. Serious Situation The Cambank apparently had slowed down to pick up her Liverpool pilot when she was observed by the sub marine and torpedoed. While the sink ing of this steamer can. however. raise no diplomatic problems, serious sit uation may arise out of the torpedoing of the Norwegian tank steamer Bel ridge, which. according to the British admiralty, was struck by torpedo off Folkestone.
 The Norwegian foreign office has or dered the Norwegian consulate at Lon ddn to investigate this affair and re- port immediately, with the object, it is thought of making representations to Germany if the facts are as stated by the British officials.
 Despite the attacks on these steam CTS, the arrivals at and sailings from British ports maintain their daily av- craze.
 continent continue with ever increasing intensity. The offensive, which the all lies took early in the week, has brought about activity all along the lines and attacks and counter attacks have be- come more numerous Both the British and French seemingly made consider able progress at the outset of the of
  imperative for the Germans to deliver counter attacks to regain the ground which they had lost. In carrying these out the Germans have shown the same desperate spirit which has character ized their previous operations under similar circumstances.
 In 8 long report covering the weeks operations to February F French "eye- witness" claims for the French many minor successes and the repulse of Ger man counter attacks.
 Similar Claims
 The Germans, too, make similar claims; so that the public is left to judge as to the outcome of the weeks fiare-up
 From the eastern front there is no news except tonight's unofficial dispatch from Pctrograd, which says the Germans have suffered defeat at Ossowetz, and have been compelled to fall back toward the frontier. Should this prove to be correct, the German plans would be entirely up- set as defeat at this point would en- danger the whole of their line northward along the East Prussian frontier
 In the remainder of Poland and in the Carpathians. where severe fighting con- tinues. there has been no change in the relative positions of the opposing armies, while in Bukowina battle is being fought along the Pruth river. Retirement to this position would be an advantage to the Russians, as it considerably shortens their line and enables endorsements to reach them more easily.
 The Servians and Austrians are again facing each other across the Danube, and have in turn been bombarding Semlin and Belgrade respectively and the posi- tions near those cities. This may mean the commencement of new campaign, or perhaps it is an attempt by the Servians to help relieve the pressure on the Rus sians.
 Cettinje has been again visited by an Austrian aeroplane, which dropped bombs and according to the Montenegrin report killed two women.