The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-16
Summary of Outstanding Developments h NeWs
 From Various War Fronts
By Associated Press

Fly Associated Fress
 Nicholas Romanoff, former Empe- TOT of Russia, deposed last March by the revolutionists, and for several months in confinement at Tobolsk, Siberia. is reported to have made his escape.
 4 The report, unlike the previous ru- mors to this effect, came through the Bolsheviki headquarters in Petrograd. but few hours later it was officially denied.
 Previous reports of the escape of Nicholas had him making his way out of siberia through IIarbin, Man churis. The route to Harbin is long one, however, and lie would have 4O00 miles to travel before reaching the Pacific coast from Tobolsk, al- though that place. itself is some 1500 miles east of Moscow.
 There remains the possibility that Siberia itself might be safe asylum for him for the time being, as that vast province was reported last month to have declared it's inde- pendence and to have named Nicho- las as it's Emperor.
 The effect of the escape upon Bol- sheviki plans for the future course of Russia could scarcely be even sur missed, so enigmatic in many ways has been the recent course of the Lenine- -Trotslky government in Petro- grad, which now appears to be get ting the upper hand in many parts of the country outside the northern centers, overcoming the opposition of the more conservative clements. Some English correspondents in Petrograd have latterly come to take the view that the Bolshviki leaders were plan ming eventually to put monarciii- cal form of government in force after they had established their sway by drastic measures, coupled with their hold on the proletariat through the popularity of their land reform and peace measures.
 The Russo-German peace negotia- tions are reported proceeding apace. A German official announcement says the condition and draft of a treaty have been formulated, the discussions having been put over from Friday to Saturday. however, as the Russian delegates desired to obtain supplementary instructions. from their government. Whether the word treaty refers to formal peace treaty or merely to the armis- tice agreement that had been pend ing is not clear from the German announcement.
 The Italian front remains the only major field of military operations in which there is more than local ac- tivity on the part of the infantry. The Italian line. although almost ceaselessly assailed in the mountain regions, is still intact and holding well except for a small recession here and there, forced at the cost of extremely heavy casualties on the part of the Austro-German invaders. Berlin claims the taking of more than 5000 prisoners in the fighting of the last few days. and the repulse of Italian counter attacks on positions won by the Teutons
 The Franco Belgian front is inac- tive except for local fighting. mostly due to German thrnsts here and there 5 delivered with the seeming intention of keeping the Anglo French command guessing as to the enemy's Intentions.
 In Palestine the British have scored a further advance northeast of Jerusalem.
 M In making known the sinking of two more Norwegian steamers, the Norwegian government announces that 5000 Norwegian sailors have been lost during the war
 Two airships of the non-rigid type have been lost by the British, one of which was sunk by seaplane in the North sea while on patrol and t,ie other being compelled to descend in Dutch territory because Of engine trouble. The British admiralty also announces the sinking of British destroyer through collision. all Sut two of thoee on board being saved.