Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-13
Although Fall of Town Lacks
Confirmation It Is Re-
garded as Likely.
IS STRATEGIC POINT
Natural Location and Facili-
ties Make Possession of
1t an Advantage.

Paris, Jan. 13, (5:35 a. MIN
view of the success of the Austrian
offensive against Mount LOvcen,
measures have been taken by the
M0ntenegrin government to eyacu-
ate Cettinie Immediately, accord
ing to Scutari dispatch, says the
Petit Journals Milan correspond
ent.
A Scutari telegram to the Serbian
legation in Rome describes the stu
alton in Scutari as approaching des-
peration Food is lacking to feed
thousands of women, children and
refugees from Serbia, the latter. arriv-
ing in large numbers, swelling the
refugee colony already established.
The new arrivals, adds the message,
are obliged to sleep in the open air in
the bitter cold 1t declares that hun
dreds are dying daily in the streets OF
cold and hunger and that nearly all
the very young children have died
from lack Of nourishment.
| LOuuOLJ Jdu. lo--l he utNS HUN
the eastern front of the capture of
Sadagura is regarded in military cir
.cles as probably true, although official
confirmation has not been forthcom-
ing.
The town, which lies a few miles
portbooct ~ r1orpourit1 oDd ic N oop
verging point for five good roads, is
of considerable strategic Importance
and previous attempts to capture 1t
have been stoutly resisted. Experts
say Sadagura is Of more Importance
than Czernowitz, on account of its
stronger natural position and facili-
| ties for communication.
The report from Petrograd that the
offensive in Algeria and Bessarabia
has been suspended for the present is
regarded as premature. The Russian
offensive could not, it is believed, be
suspended suddenly, as it was launch
ed with unexpected strength. The OBJ
! ject of that offensive is said to be
I three-fold: To demonstrate to the Ru-
manians that the Russian forces are
able to assume the initiative when
| they choose; secondly, to divert Aus
tro-German forces from the Balkans
and western front, and finally, to, i'm
prove the general strategic position
Of their own left flank.
Effect undetermined.
While the full effect of this Russian
offensive cannot yet be determined,
entente military experts affirm that
the second object was attained, that
the situation in the Balkans was SEN
sibly relieved, and that the operation
undertaken by the Germans against
the French in the Champagne was
robbed of its force.
The fact that the French flag is now
waving over the palace on the island
of Corfu, which belonged to the Ger
man emperor, and that the occupation
of the Greek island by the entente is
considered as complete has, it is re-
ported, already evoked protest from
the Greek government.
In Sympathy With Allies.
1t is said that the protest is largely
formal and that the allies have given
Greece guarantees regarding their in
tentions. Greece, it is understood,
takes a sympathetic view of the en-
tente action, as it is for the purpose
of preventing the Serbian army from
risking the danger OF starvation.
The German offensive in Champagne,
which reached its elimination Sun
day, is reported from French head
quarters as having been undertaken
on an important scale and with a def
mite military purpose The failure is
declared to have been complete and
the German forces suffered terrible
losses
The Austrian forces are steadily de-
yeloping their campaign in Montene-
, gro. and military experts believe the
fall of Cettinje. the capital Of Monte
negro. is possible in the near future.