Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-04
REJUVEVATED RUSSIAN
ARMY LAUNCHES GREAT
OFFENSIVE MOVEMENT
Vienna and Petrograd Both
Claim Advantage for Their
Forces, but Neither Side
Claims Decisive Results
(By Associated Press,


LONDON, Jan. 2.-The rejuvenated
Russian army, equipped with munitions
from Japan, America and England, is
engaged in great attack on the Austro-
Hungarian forces in Galicia. Reports
from Vienna and Petrograd claim the
advantage for their respective forces,
but neither capital describes decisive
results. The details, which are few and
conflicting, give no definite description
of the battle line.
Newspaper correspondents in Petro-
grad estimates that one and half mil
lions of Austro-Germans are engaged and
assert that whatever changes have oc-
CURED in the fighting line are in favor
of the Russians. The Austrian official
report says the Russian attacks were
everywhere repulsed with heavy losses.
A significant fact is that the Russian
army has again been able to take the
offensive. Recent kilograms from the
war theater where this battle is raging
say that the Austrians show better
fighting qualities now than in the earlier
stages of the war.
The result of the battle is expected
to have an important influence on the
Balkan situation, particularly on the Ru-
manian policy. Apparently Russia has
been preparing for these operations fer
some time past. Cable communication
&rom the Bessarabian region has virtu-
ally been suspended for more than
Il month, thousands of messages being
held up until Wednesday last when the
censorship was lightened and they began
coming through.
Other important news of the day was
the announcement of the sinking of the
India-bound British liner Persia, near
the Island of Crete Thursday afternoon.
hne
rest to the political agitation over con-
scription. The traditional secrecy en-
shrouding cabinet deliberations has
been thrown to the winds during the
past week. The main facts of the de-
bate within the cabinet became prompt
~ known, particularly the fact that
Premier Asquith proposed to introduce
a compulsion bill and also the fact that
the cabinet is in favor of the enlistment
of all unmarried men who failed to re-
spond to Lord Derby's call for recruits
small portion of the liberal press
strongly opposes Premier Asquith's sup
posed policy. The Nation accuses Da-
vid LIoyd-George, minister of munitions,
of betraying the liberal traditions of
voluntary service and declares that his
influences has shifted the balance in the
cabinet.
Sir John A. Simon, secretary for home
affairs, has not yet retired from the cab
met, his resignation being held in abey-
ance, according to today's reports. 1t is
believed that Reginald McKenna, chan
cellor of the exchequer, and Walter Run
Gilman, president of the board of trade,
who opposed CONSUMPTION on financial
grounds, have decided to remain with
the cabinet.
Groups six to nine of the Derby en-
IiStment p1au which include single men
from twenty-four to twenty-seven years
of age, probably will be called to arms
on February 1.
Rumania is concentrating three army
corps on the Bulgarian frontiers, &C
cording to French wireless reports.
Sunday is to be observed as a day of
intercession throughout the United
Kingdom, when prayers for victory will
be offered in every church and chapel Of
all creeds. Collections for sick and
wounded soldiers will be taken.