3? r.v lwfolMM EVENING EJBaiiJB-lHILXDEr,PHIA"; frffTTBgDAY,4 DECEMBER 8Jg.MIi u GERMANS BEATEN BACK IN DESPERATE ATTACKS TO RETAjFLAgERS POSITIOjjj AERIAL SQUADRONS H0STILE AMIES MDLOGKB AS YEAR CLOSES Destruction of Gchnan Com- merce, Freeing of Servi'a ' and Occupation of Galicia Only Decisive Results. CMR'S OFFENSIVE FORCES GERMANS TO REFORM LINES Russian Drive With' New Vigor 'and Fresh Troops Compels Evacuation of Dearly Gained Positions. By 3. yr. T. MAON ifrhf,nd of (ho year, Mid with it the R conclusion of Ave months fighting, nnds onlr threS poiltfvo results accomplished, Wlilcli, to n practical certainty, will con itnuo 0s permanent ractors In the crtm falKn. Ttioso aro tho expulsion of Ger man commeroo from tho seas, the free ing of SwvJa.ana Ru'ula's occupation or Eastern Gallcltu Everything 'lsd (hat has happened In the war .zones Is. tentative. East arid yve-t'lndeclalon dominates tho situation, li'oVhllo deraanj' has bticn beaten In her- main qbjectlve, Germany's dof eat has not ber accomplished Tho August predictions that tho Gor man Empire "was to T)o, disintegrated and the House, of Hohenzollern exiled by a European con Kress a(ter tho war havo vanlstjcd, .with most of the pthor early prophecies of tho war. A decisive over throw of Germany Is no longer among tho probabilities. Tho ond of tho, year qs uermany Doing slowly lorcea back, but the efrqrt Is almost superhuman. Dsrlui'o capturo would produco more ex haustion among tho Allies than would tho worth of that adventure. DISAPPOINTMENT FOIl ALL. Disappointment haa dominated, all tho War's developments, and all the belllger ntsj it would be but logically In keeping If the ultimate peace wero similarly dis appointing. Bofglurp's .participation in the war, with furious patriotism, struck tho koynoto of indecision, by interposing unexpected ob stacles' in tho path of the Gorman ad vance on Paris. Elego and tho Belgian Array held the Germans sufficiently for tho English expeditionary corps to nr zive, and it was tho English who, in turn, checked General von Kluck and a&ved tho "French army" during tha re treat through northern France. The German army was thrown out of ltd trido by these interludes and Paris was saved. But there followed Immediately an In decisive result for the Allies. Tho battle of tho Marno was fought for tho preser vation of Paris, and though General Joftro won a vjctory wh.lch will take rank among tho decisive conflicts of history, the success was not followed up. While tho allied nations wero exulting at tho flight of tho .Germans, tho latter halted at th,e Alsne, on September 12, and have stuck there ever since. For a month, from mid-September until the middle of October, the Allies sent columns northward, trying to outflank tho enemy; but the Germans mot every nowiinover-wiui a counter sirDKe. finally on October 9 tho. Germans .captured Ant werp and then rushed rapidly across Bol fflum, occupying Ostend on October IS. THIIID STRUGGLE INDECISIVE, At this Btage the Germans tried to re gain tho general offensive -which they had lost at the battle of the HJarne. They sought to extend their line from Ostend, along tho Belgian and French coast to Calais. Then began the third struggle of tho western campaign. As a'counter- effyct the Allies attempt to plerco tho Ger- mra una at Arras, which is; 'tho main northern outer gateway to 'tho German communications. Indecision again re sulted. After a. series of the fiercest con flicts of tho war, in which tho numeri cally inferior English army particularly distinguished Itself, only a. draw" resulted. The Allies Bayed the const and the Ger mans saved their communications. ' A ocriea of subordinate- encounter haa foeen in constant progress, along 'tho Franco-German border throughout the year, almost independent- of tho, anajor conflict further to the West, At tna be- Sinning of the oampalgn tho French at- ' tempted an offensive of their mm, in ' Alsace and Lorraine, but speedily we're vompciiea io aouiaon Doth. Ifearty four months later they returned to Alsace, and are in possession of tha 'nnrth.ru ii- tricta as the year closes. Tha German JioJd in the Mus area about corresponds with tho French grip on southern Ahace. IHNDENBimO'S GENIUS SHINES. Tho Russian campaign has been mora wifortunato for tho Slavs' than has tho western fighting for tho Czar's allies. Primarily this is duo to the fact that - tha ona military genius the war has de veloped is pitted against the Russians. If any ono man has saved Germany ho is Feid Marshal von Benckendorff und -von Hindenburg, With greatly Inferior forces, ho- has dominated tho strategic and .tactical situations in tho east almost at will, Tet, remarkable: as has been tho ability displayed by tho German commander-in-chief, indecision la 'as dominant In th S&eaffc ao ,in iho west. A different tale .cvjmu ,.. to ueen loip lr Austria had I Jiraved. herself u efficient m run.... nop at the . Austrian have 'pot shown either r, . T Dr " ""nviouai prowess of their allies, Aa tho Germans have tafen tho Kussiaos, so have the Slavs defeated tho Austrian?, Wost of Galicia has been lost to tho AinrtrMwws they have been ignomlnlou.ly overwhelmed by llttla Servia. and tho last daa of the year finds than harried amid thrpSthUn "Wns tryini tpire.. 7 p Busa,onB tnm '"Voding Hungary PETROGRAD, Dec, 31. Tho German nrmles under Flcjd Marshal Von Hlndonhurg and Obers't General yon Mackenzen havo beon compelled to take up new positions by the vigor of, tho Russian attacki west of Warsaw. In Poland the Russian positions are sat isfactory at tevery point, thanks to tho strategy of Grand Duke Nicholas. Field Marshal von Hindenburg has been com pelled to abandon his assaults on tho roads converging at Warsaw and his forces are now on tho defensive. Tho position held by the Germans on the right bank of tha Bzura a few miles north of Sochaoczow has been abandoned by them. Hard fighting is in progress. around Bollmow, whoro tho Germans aro resisting the advanco of tho Russians with tho courage of despair. A battle is raging around Gombin, be tween Lowlcz and tho Vistula Rtyor, whoro tho Germans havo thrown forward tho flower of their invading army into tho, fray. The early atages of this en gagement havo been favorablo to the Russians, who captured a whole platoon of quick-firing guns. Tho Russians art again driving in tho direction of Cracbw from a point imme diately east of Zakllczyn. First, however, they must force a passage of tho Dun ajea River at that point. Zakllczyn Is only 35 miles southeast of Cracow. There Is a hard fight for trenches south of Inowlodz. Thq Russians' advance has been steady since Sunday, especially in the Bphcro of operations south of tho Vistula. Tho ability of Grand Duko Nicholas to plnco fresh formations upon his battlo front to oppose tho wornout German troops has compelled Oborst General von Mack enzen and riold Marshal von Hindenburg to change- their plan of campaign and to retire to other positions on the Bzura and Rawlca Rivers. Tho official statement from General Headquarters today shows that heavy fighting continues west of Warsaw against the Germans at Bollmow, near Eochaczow, on the lower Bzura River, at Inowlodz, on tho Plllca and at Malago schtsch, which Ib on the Nlda Rlvor. Con flict has been general in theso districts for several days. Tho evacuation by tho Germans of the village of Mlstrzowlce, flvo miles north of Sochaczow, related officially by tho War Office, is regarded by military critics hero as "ringing down the curtain on the third Germnn advanco toward Warsaw." At a tremendous cost to themselves the Germans had succeeded In establish ing a foothold In Mlstrzowlce, on tho east bank of tho Bzura River, but their persistent sledge hammer attacks during the last threo weeks failed to penetrate the Russian lino before Warsaw.. The Germans steadily threw reinforcements Into the town In an endeavor to extend their position along the river. When It became evident that the Austrian ad vanco from tho Carpathian Mountains had failed, the Germans evacuated tho vtllago during Intervals between Russian attacks. The Austrian operations from tho Carpathians evidently formed an In tegral part of tho general plan of tho Germans for tho Warsaw campaign. In Galicia the Russians have taken the important town of Gorllco, IB miles south of JTuchow, whero tho Russians recently halted tho west Gallclan army of tho Austrians, preventing it from joining with that of General Bochm-Ermolll, which was advancing from Banok and Llsko. Gorllca Is tho junction point of several railroads running cast, west and south through the Carpathian district. Tho pur eiilt of the retreatlrlg- Austrians In tho Sanok-Llsko district 'has been carried as far aa Jaaltska, onthe extreme left flank of tho Austrians, which has Seen cap tured. Jasllska commands tho most Im portant nignway into Hungary. AS IT ALWAYS MUST BE Copyright, 1814, by John T. McCutcheon. FRENCH CAPTURE STEINBACH IN FIGHT Continued from Tnite One forces of General Pau was tho chief feature of tho afternoon ofllclal com munique. It was stated at military head quarters that tho Germans were defeated only after hours of tho most desperate fighting. In which the French essayed half a dozen bayonet charges. Repulsed, they came back again and again, until they finally gained a foothold on tho very outskirts of the village. They then advanced from houso to house, using their own machine guns to dislodge the Germans. The lighting Is now confined to tho cen tre and right wings of tho French UneB. From the sea to tho Alsno tho situation wns reported quiet today. Tho snow and rains havo jnado octlvo operations Im possible, , Tho Germans blow up two of tho French trenches just north of Slllery last night, but their subsequent attack was repulsed with heavy losses. Tho French held their second lino of trenches In tha face of a series of bayonet attacks, and tho Ger mans wero finally compelled to fall back, defeated. North of Mesnll-Ies-Hurlus the French have taken the offensive nnd havo cap tured a number of tho German trenches In that region. To tho north of La Fermo d'Beausejour a German counter at- iuck was repuised, and the Germans wero driven back on their own secondary lines. Slight gains aro reported In tho Argonno region. FRENCH CLAIMS OF VICTORY FLATLY DENIED BY BERLIN Allies Have Gained nt No Point on Line, Say Germans. I ALLIES RULE SEA. fill tflA MM tk.k 1..... - ,f -' - .? uvo uoon numerous orwruouona or minor craft and an cc wfrnal capital ship haa been Bent to tho bottom. Bnt tha dominating' fact of Great Britain,"- command of tha mf.r Ja Jn no way been disturbed. Instances ft wrsonal daring, of individual luck and JU tack, of isolated and chsoco disaster havo been abundant, but they have played ?se jsart Jq robbing tho Aljlea of the tra- jnouauua nqToniaga of tnelr superior sea sorer. 3K4TH fob; HlTCZNa oebjcAn CiOPSNHAaSN. Doc. Jl.-A private nHur from, Berlin aays that iha Gor man. Supreme War Tribunal has aen tenatA v BrttUh prisoner war oa X4Jr to death for assaulting; Jt Is tat4, a Gernmn officer at tha Dobarttx 4BSfttratlon. amp. uiausvs. m iae nrj instance, as wtmzotd to ten years' iniprisonmenL hut -fa niUttanc Authpritlaa' appeal for a. swtttn ot cajpiui pwwhKwunt haa bn ,43Mfu, l.'jiist&tim, it t odnuttad. did AUSTRIANS FACE DISASTER IN CARPATHIAN RETREAT Petrograa Eports Talluro of Foe'o Slonklnff Movement. PBTROORaD. Dec M. The Austrian army, under General Boehm-Ermolll, which was sent to re inforce tha Austrians retreating through tho Dukla Pass and envelop tho left wing of tho Russian army in the Carpathian Mountain district, haa been broken up and 1b in danger of annihilation. Sorties from the besieged Austrian for tress at Frzemysl hava been repulsed with heavy losses. General Boehm-Ermoltl'a Austrian army, which was hurried forward under forced marching to reinforce the Austrian troops around Dukla Pass, is in retreat. It Is passing through hilly country, whore there are ho fortresses to give it shelter, Tho ground being yielded enables tho Russian to take up positions of great strength, thua menacing still further the German troops under Von MacKenson. Railroads aro scarce in the region through which the Austrian are retreat ing, and the roads aro so bad; that the infantry can make but painful progress. The Russian cavalry, which la In tha vanguard of the pursuers, Is cutting down hundreds of stragglers and taking other hundreds prisoners of war. Austria has drawn 0,1,1 the available troops from the Balkan theatre and no .further efforts will be mada, to invade Ssrvla, according to an announrmnt nt. trlbuted to General Kphrad von Hoetzen- "on, cnier or ston. , . BERLIN, Dec. 31. Flat contradiction of the French claims of successes came from tho War Office today. It is declartd In tho official state ment that the French attacks north of Chalons have been repulsed with heavy losses, and that at no point along the battle front have there been any gains by the Allies. According to tho statement, the Allies are ahelllng Westende again, and have succeeded in destroying many of tho houses .and publlo buildings. Tho fire, however, has not caused any military losses, according to the War Office, An entire French company is reported to have been annihilated when Oerman sappers eucceedod In blowing up a line of trenches between Alger and Auberge to the south of Rhelms. The French at tacks north of Chalons have been re pulsed, it Is" declared. In the western Argonne region It Is stated that sevoral of tho French trenches have been taken with 250 prisoners. A Frenoh attack on Flirez, north of Toui. has ailed, while all attacks on the German positions at. Sennhelra have broken down. Britain s Greeting to United States (Copjrlcht, 1014, by The United Presn. Cop) right In Great Britain and Canada.) J'ocm oj Dr. Robert BrUlocs, Poet Laurcac, entitled "New Tear's Creat ing to the United States of America." Ask ic what word of cheer Hath England's muse to send Tho eve of this New Year To Britain's free-born folkT Tain words are vain to spend Wo shout- the battlccrv: Her dearest children die For all that we hold dear Yet thus the mother spoke. Ocean that seemed once wide When first ya crossed its flood. It threatened to divide Even the bond of blood; Bee how it shrunken hath Unto a pleasure path; While o'er and underneath The light words of my breath Flash kindly to your heart. Oh, well ye heart ye seel And our hopes are as one For peace and liberty s Of all men 'neath the sun. For the grace of man's art And the love of our oxen kind. Eo, this year's wishes be Hand in hand, mind teith mind, Tluit we stand, till we quell. And in straight limits bind War's rage, tho storm of hell. AUSTRIANS HALT RUSSIANS AT CARPATHIAN PASSES Attempted Surprise Attack Defeated "With Heavy loss to Invaders. VIENNA. Dec. 31. The War Office in its rovlow of tho situ ation today declares efforts of tho Rus sians to force tho Carpathian passes have been repulsed. The danger of an at tempted Invasion of Hungary Is said to bo remote, inasmuch as strong forces now dominate ovory Inlet through moun tains. The Russians. It stated, attempted a surprise attack at Uzsok Pass, but wero in turn surprised and dofeatcd with heavy less. Austrian artillery has been posted where it commands all of tho approaches from the north, and tho majority of the heights in that vicinity aro also said to be dominated by crack Hungarian divisions. firrmiimifl jflmTenn UMiUHlW ttWUUUV IN OFFICIAL REPORT OF TORTURING FOES Breaches of International Law Alleged in Seventh Statement Issued by Bel gian Commission. LONDON, Dec. 31. Tho Belgian commission, which haa been Investigating alleged breaches of International law by German soldiers, is sued it seventh report through the Press BurcaU today, making the follow ing accuaatlonsl . "Unon numerous instances soldiers of tho Allied army have beon treated for wounds caused by expanding bullets. "French soldiers who wero wounded In tho fighting on August 1 wero found tho next day with their ekulla battered with rifle butts. "Eighteen dead Belgian riflemen were found in tho woods near Mallnes, having b6n klllod by bayonot thrusts in the face. "On August 23 German eoldlors flrefl upon a Red Cross ambulance near Namur, wounding two doctors. "On August 23 near Seinpst two Bel gian corpses wero found hanging on trees, with bayonet wounds in the stomach. Severnl other bodies were found, with their hands tied behind them. Bomo of tho dead had beon tortured, their heads having been twisted until tho faces pointed toward tho rear. Fingore had been pullod from the sockets." Tho report further charges that English prisoners of war are badly treated on their Journey Into Gormany. Instances aro mentioned whoro Germans compelled captive women and civilian prisoners to stand beforo the German troops to pre vent tho enemy from firing. Tho Germans nro also accused of hav ing klllod 400 persons near Namur, in western Belgium, by firing upon a column of COO persons. WASHINGTON, "Fee. 31. The Bol glan Minister has filed with tho Btato Department a protest against tho re quisitioning by Gorman military authori ties In Belgium of merchandise worth about $11,400,000. He asserted that tho policy of tho Gemians meant tho ruin of Industry In Belgium. Tho protest sot forth that the goods were not taken for tho uso of tho German army, and that consequently tho seizure wns in violation of tho Fourth Hague Convention. OF ALLIES ACTIVE IN ATTACKING FOEfc Successful Raids Over Ger- man Soil Recounted inj Official Report General! Gains Claimed. PARIS, Dec, 81, Tho great activity of the French avj ators Is especially mentioned In an ofrj flelat report covering the operation of! the battlefront between December 16 ana 24. which Bays ''In spite of the extromo difficulty rel suiting from rain, wina ana fog, ou squadrons of aeroplanes and our dhv iglblei have done excellent work. OnV of the latter on the night of tho lti dropped 15 bombs upon tho railroad tti tlon of Sarreburg, six upon that of Petll Eloh, flvo shells and a thousand arrows upon a train in the railroad station of. Uotmlng. Tho damngo done was ira nortant and was acknowledged by Ger man newspapers. K "On several occasions, tha 18th, 20th. some Gorman machlnca and obllgonVfJ litem .V Hovuim. w vu .awi utiu ui our aviators Bhot nrid killed a Germati nllot. whoso machine crooned to earth. On another bccaslon near Arras an avi ator was put to flight by 20 aarbtria eliots.! "In Bnlto of tho state of tho ntmos-iv phcre, Bomo of our aviators 'on the 18thi aunnatii11v rnniiflT hrtmhn nn,4 nvfnn.ts'1! upon tho enemy's trenches; upon a con-v centration or troops on mo lBth andj 20th; upon railroad Btatlons and trains tho 20th and 22d; upon a captive bal-, loon the 21st; upon the port of Strass burg on tho Rhino and tho railroad depot - r .1.- Afln ,, OI JJ.43UZO U1U ..U. n Tho report makes claims of genAral-qW nilna hv tVin Allien. "Tliln n-rtnrl nt ntn A days," it says, "resulted in consolidating n: tho successes won by Us durlntr -tlm lo ' days preceding. Our nggresslvo attitude L i has been continued with oven Increased enemy: overywnoro mo cnomy uas ueen reduced to a defensive attitude. Tho yio-i ;-i Spanish Army Airman Killed MADRID, Dec. Si. Captain Castollul, a Spanish nrmy aviator, hllo flying In a biplane over the aerodrome hero yester day felt from a height of 300 feet nnd wa3 killed. TRI ISSFS BI.A8TIO ABDOMINAL SBrrOIlTKns, ETC. Lady attendant. Pureham 17T AVl?TiTic direct from tho factory, l iLlLi fa 1011 SntlNQ OARUEN ST. lonco of counter attacks has been, evi dence that ho accepted this attitude re- ' luctantly. Tho checking of every, move- V1 mont made by htm in his endeavor to nit recapture tho ground .lost to us made ' our advantage tho greater." " - ' JS ORIGINAL GENUINE tfVm?aitMftftr , ' L HflH2lS8y "-VABBBBBBBBBBBErtJ-. &.?.--. BSBBBBBISKr&lr "'Tjl u E9 C if- rl Wt ".. Li r'rlH BB B fim ARABIANS MARCH ON BRITISH Moslems Arm to Meet Invaders In Mesopotamia. CONSTANTINOPLE, Dec. 31,-tfhou-eands of Mohammedan tribesmen in Arabia havo taken, up arms for Turkey and are marching through Mesopotamia to give battle to the British troops that invaded Turkey from the Persian Gulf, it was announoed here today. FOR THE NEW YEAR Send a (osOerqtxzm wrlesHemyEX ZlldouiA Broad St. Best American Beauty Roses, atemt 4 feet long, $10 per dor. Violets, $1.00 per bunch. Orchids. 50c and $1.00 each. A Iool-Drink for All Agca Rich milk, malted grain, in powder form. For infants, invalids and grow- . Ing children. Puro nutrition, upbuild- ' lng tho wholo body. Invigorates nura--" lng mothers and the aged. More ,ivuii-.i..ui lul1 ivv, or coitpc ,r"(V awmcuu .UU.UIUIC. 4&J9K mr juuhijI(J1&.'0 1 uVgl -V tatHMddlt cftteBioch TURKS LOSE IN CAUCASIA Hussions Inflict Heavy losses by Cossack Assault. PETROGRAD, Dec. 81. A stronr Turkish column ia rtvrr tp havo been attacked by tha Cossack cavalry north of flarykamysh and forced to retreat after losing half of its strength. The Turkish forces, which were report. ed concentrating in tha vicinity of j Hianuzujam traai, are today said to ba advancing in tha general direction of Ardahan. VIENNA, Dee. St Reports from Con stantlnpplo say the Turkish orces in tho Caucasus have won signal victories in the southern port of the vjllayet of Erserum, In which they havo captured Russian guns and taken seven p&cers and H men prisoners. B&SJHT JCATTDEB fHVEJ? 5000 GLASGOW,, Pec. JI -Harry Laude & tot eh singer, today contributed W00 to fh Jfrtnc of "Haiti I und far war yuffwent. What Should U. the sharply diverging views, in exclusive statements, from SIR EDWARD GREY 'GB. VON BETHMANN-HQLLWEG COUNT OKUMA, IN FIFTY FREE TRIPS ama - Pacific o Expositions 10 tne and San Die You Can Win One Not a Cent of Expense The Biggest Free Trip Offer Ever Made By Any Newspaper in This Country Will you give your spare time and your ability as a salesman' or saleswoman for just a few months to secure this wonderful treat? That s all you need. No capital and no merchandise: nothing but the desire to work and win j THE TRIP INCLUDES all railroad fares. Pnllm, t,..i ...... , . mea Is en route, admission to th .vnou;n JILJl "' L'trif u,"3 aepinp; cars, Will be paid for you. For the entire trip you will brae.tTffir " A" this PUBLIC LEDGER r. 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