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V I J GENERAL NEWS NOTES OF THE .DAY j Paris reports that the Germans are directing their ; energies to forcing passages between Dixmude and i Bixschoote. Simultaneously the Germans appear to be gathering forces for an attack on La Bassee, with the object of forcing their way through to Bethune and Hazebrouek. important railway junctions, the possession of which would give them command of four railways to Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk, and would enable them to cut off the whole lift wing of the a.lies. The battle in Flanders is Incoming more ami more restricted in the area between Y press and the Lys. The Hooded country has extended until It reaches well south of Yperlee. In addition, the rainy season, so long in these Hat countries, bas set in. transforming the fields into swamps, as the admirable drainage system lias not been working for three months. The region is almost impracticable and the conditions evidence the hardihood of the Germans, who have been able to maintain their armies in a country the soil of which is nothing but liquid mud. and where the villages which might afford the only shelter, have been destroyed. The allies have behind them the rich country of northern France, well supplied with excellent roads ami railways. Fighting almost as intense as in Flanders continues on the French right Hank in the region of Verdun, which fortress the Germans are persistently trying to invest. On the heights to the east of the Mouse, says a semiofficial statement, the French light Infantry is especially distinguishing itself, and the artillery gave its useful support ov destroying a German blockhouse. "We have, at various points on the front," continues the statement, "stormed several trenches, thanks to the dash of our Infantry. In the Marne district one of our shells having blown tip a German ammunition depoV their artillery immediately opened tire on the city and cathedral of Rhoims." A Berlin report says that a general review of the situation in the eastern arena, based on Information given out there, indicates that the latest German victories are such that the advance of the Russians has been rendered more difficult. This success, however, it is said, must not be overestimated, for the Russian repulses, although severe, do not mean that, the Russian movement has collapsed. Considering the enormous numbers of available soldiers, it does not even mean the discontinuation of the Itussian offensive. The great difficulty for the Russians is found on the Vistula, which separates the two wings of their army. The Itussian army which was beaten near YVloclawek, and which apparently came from Warsaw, was driven back in a southerly direction, not in the direction from which it had advanced. This Russian army was forced along a road running from Kutno to Gombin, while the northern Russian army, operating near Soldau, was forced back to Ilock by way of LIpno. The Germans are now standing on the right wing of the main Russian army, consequently they have won a tactical success, in addition to creating a favorable strategic situation. The Germans occupying Dixmude are reported to have suffered heavy losses. "In fresh lighting which bus taken place there they have lost 2.700 men," says a dispatch from Amsterdam. "The town of Nicuport is badly damaged. Heavy cannonading was beard in the direction of Ypres, indicating a renewal of the heavy fighting there. Fugitives say that additional submarines are being constructed at Zeobrngge." The correspondent of the Loudon Times In Flanders telegraphs that the Germans have completely evacuated the left bank of the Yser Canal and that the Hoods are seriously jeopardizing the German position at Dixmude. The French are nominally holding the south end of the town of Dixmude and the Germans the north side. There is much hand-to-hand fighting. "Recent days have been entirely favorable to the allies," the correspondent says, "and it may be taken as certain that the retreat of the enemy is simply a question of time. Between our forces and the enemy, tin; whole way from Nicuiwrt to Dixmude, there is a protective sheet of water, and all hopes of a German advance have been frustrated." An oflicial communication issued by the German general headquarters says: "Fighting in West Flanders continues and the situation on the whole remains unchanged. In the forest of Argonne our attacks continue successfully. French sorties to the Stouth of Verdun were repulsed. An attack, was made against our forces, which had moved forward on the western bank of the river Meuse, near St. Mihie, ahd although it was originally successful for the enemy, it broke down completely later on. Our attack to the southeast of Cirey compelled the French to surrender some of their positions. The Chateau Chatillou was stormed and T;ikii hi- ojr troops. New battles have developed in Ioland hi the region north of Lodz, but no decision yet has been reached. To the southeast of Soldau East Prussia the enemy lias been forced to retreat in the direction of Mlawa. Upon the extreme western wing a strong Russian cavalry force, which we defeated Nov. 1G and Nov. 17, has been driven back through Tilkalleu." An oflicial war bulletin given out in Berlin sets forth that operations on the eastern front are progressing favorably. The Germans seemingly are using their victory at Wloclawek to advantage. The Russian armies defeated near Lipno are supposed to be in the vicinity of Plock and the forces defeated near Wloclawek are near Kutno and Les-shytsa. For the continuation of operations, the bulletin goes on to say, it will be of the greatest importance for the German troops from the region of Soldau to make further progress against the right wing of the main Russian army. If the Russians intend to retire behind the Vistula, such a retreat, considering the extremely bad conditions of the roads, would be most difficult. Consequently, the Russians probably will prefer to make a definite stand when the German and Austrian forces attack. Winston Spencer Churchill, first lord of the British admiralty, said in the house of commons in answer to a question, that the total British naval caandualties to date were: Officers killed, 222; wounded, 37; missing, 3. Men killed, 3,455: wounded, 428; missing, 1. This list, the first lord said, did not Include the missing officers and men in the royal naval division at Antwerp and on the British cruiser Good Hope, sunk by the Germans off the Chilean coast, which aggregated 1,000 and 875 respectively. The lowered lights order issued to hide London from marauders airships has now been extended to the whole country, although the restrictions in the provincial cities are not as rigid as those prevailing in the British capital. One of the peculiar features of the order Is a clause providing that the curtains of passenger train coaches must be drawn while trains are traveling at night. The authorities evidently believe that such trains might act as guides to the enemys airships. British warships have resumed their bombardment of the German positions along the Belgian coasts. They are attempting to destroy the German artillery that Is shelling Nleuport, which has almost been ruined by the rain of shells poured upon it Reports received in Paris declare that the artillery duel between the opposing forces in Belgium is the iuost terrific in the history of the world. It continues night and day, the gunners being guided by searchlight playing upon the enemys positions. An official dispatch received at Vienna says: "In the southern war theater our troops have advanced in northwestern Servia to the Kolubara river, whch already has been crossed at some points, though the bridges were destroyed by the enemy. In the Vale-jevo district, where our army commanders have arrived, order Jias been restored. The town has suffered much from the Servian soldiers. Small cavalry detachments yesterday captured 200 prisoners." An official statement issued at Vienna under date of November 17, says: "Advancing yesterday from the neighborhood of Cracow, our troops took the foremost lines of defense of the enemy on the north frontier. In the region of Wolbrom and Pllica southern Poland the Russians on.y came within range of our artillery. The enemys infantry was everywhere repulsed. One of our regiments captured 500 prisoners." It is announced that the following British officers Ifave lKien killed in the lighting in France: Brigadier-General Norman Reginald McMahou of the fltoyal Fusiliers, son of General Thomas McMahon; Lieutenant-Colonel Raymond J. Marker of the Cold- stream Guards, aide de camp to Lord Kitchener during the Boer war, and Captain Sholto William Douglas, chief constable of the London Metropolitan I police. The "Russian myth," the story which gained J widespread circulation some months ago, that a Russian force of 80,000 men from Archangel -had J been landed In Scotland and thence moved to France, was officially burled in the British house of commons by a definite announcement that no Russian troops ever had moved through Great Britain to the western arena of the conflict. Another big battle is developing in Poland between the Vistula and Warta rivers, where the Russian advance has been met by large forces of Germans 1 coming from Thorn. The German p.an seems to be to attack the Russian center in the hope of drawing their wings from Kast Prussia and Cracow. The re-jwrt that Cracow was burning has not been eon-lirmed. A Renjer dispatch from Cape Town details further reverses suffered by the South African rebels at the hands of the local troops. It says: "Colonel Celllers on November 15 engaged 14.000 rebels under General Byers and other leaders at Bultfonteln In the Free State. The rebels were pursued eight miles uutll the loynllsts horses became exhausted." i Indications are that Englands enormous war loan of ,750,000,000 will be oversubscribed. A long line waited outside the Bank of England before the doors were opened yesterday. There was a stcadv stream of applicants for the bonds. The issue Is made at 95, bearing 3 per- cent, interest and redeemable at par March 1, 192S. A dispatch received at Petrograd from Marmar-nitza, on the Austro-Roumanian frontier, declares that furious fighting is going on in the northern part of the. crown land of Bukowina. The Russian troops are described as victorious. As they advance the Austrians are fleeing in great disorder. A dispatch from Athens says: "The Turks lost 250 men and two guns were destroyed in the bom-bardmeut of the forts of the Dardenelles. The former German cruisers, Goebeu and Breslau. which now Hy the Turkish Hag, have re-entered the Bosporus." The Paris correspondent of the London Times stntes that the whole legislative and administrative staffs of the French chamber of deputies will return to Paris at once as a prelude to the return of the French government. The Swedish steamer Andrew S. struck a mine in the North sea and sank. Eighteen survivors, Including two women, after having drifted about in boats for twelve hours, were rescued by a liner and landed at Hull. The British war office issued a statement denying German allegations that the British troops have used dumdum or soft nosed bullets, but maintaining hat these kinds of missiles have been used by the Germans. President Poincare, of France, has signed a decree giving special daily allowances of 00 cents to officers and 20 cents to noncommissioned officers serving in the zone of operations, in addition to their pay. It was officially announced in London that the Prince of Wales has been appointed aid de camp to Meld Marshal Sir John French, the commander of the British expeditionary forces on the continent. Expulsion of all subjects of countries hostile to Germany from the city of Frankfort-on-the-Maln resulted from an order issued bv the chief of the general staff of the army. The occupation of Belgrade, Servia, bv the Austrians apparently is imminent, according to an official announcement at Berlin. An official list shows that the German casualties Jiave been 549,247 in killed, wounded and missing. Gen. Villas troops, supporting the convention of chieftains, have begun an aggressive movement against the Carranza forces, disregarding any fur ther attempts to adjust peacefully the disagreement of tlio constitutionalist factions. This was reported in pret-s telegrams and official messages from Aguas Callentes. The convention troops too without opposition the town of Leon, it was reported. Later advices reported the occupation of Queretaro, where Gen. Pablo Gonzales, Carrauzas principal leader, had established his base. The proposition from Carranza that he and Villa exile themselves from Mexico and meet at Havana on Nov. 25 was regarded by Villa officials merely as a final attempt of the deposed constitutionalist commander in chief to delay attack from the division of the north. It is rumored that Jen. Venustiano Carranza will arrive at Vera Cruz within a few hours in flight from Cordoba. According to advices received at Vera Cruz, the troops of Gen. Pablo Gonzales permitted the occupation of Queretaro without resistance, in accordance with an agreement that Gonzales had reached with Gen. Eulalio Gutierrez, provisional president elected by the Aguas Callentes convention. Gen. Alvaro Obregon has assumed supreme command of the capital and the federal district. The minister of war, the governor, and all the military officers are required to report to him. The troops of Gen. Obegon.s division, which had been ordered north, will remain at .Mexico City, and those of Gen. Jesus Carranza, which were to have replaced them, are now in Puehla, which city is reported to be threatened by a large force of followers of Emiliano Zapata and former federals under Generals Argumedo and Aguilar. Owing to the activity of the Zapata troops in the federal district the entire line of constitutionalists has been strengthened. The United States needs more soldiers. General Wotherspoon, who retired as United States Army chief .of staff this week, made this assertion in positive terms in his annual report just made public. Not only is the country unprepared, to resist invasion by a first-class power-- he-held; but.it is likewise in no position to defend the Philippines, the Panama Canal, Alaska or Hawal from hostile attack. Moreover, he contended, the probable value of our coast defenses is questionable. To relieve these alarming situations, Wotherspoon counseled that the countrys standiug army be raised from 100,000 men to 205,-000 and that in addition there be a mobile army of fiOO.OOO men of the first line and ,"00,000 of the second line. That the United States would do well to draw from Germanys military training system was his broad hint. The body of Lord Roberts arrived at London yesterday and was at once taken to his residence, Englemere, at Ascot. The body will lie In state until Thursday, when it will be taken to the railway station on the gun carriage which his son died trying to save at Colcnso, during the South African war. A special train will then convev the casket to London and troops will escort it to St. Pauls. Tne vault in St. Pauls in which the field marshal will lie is the mausolum of Great Britains greatest soldiers. The last soldier interred there was Field Marshal Lord Wolselev. at whose funeral last March Lord Roberts was a pallbearer. General Carranza has repudiated the telegram sent for him by General Pablo Gonzales to General Gutierrez, in which the first chief was represented as saying he would retire. Carranza declares he was misunderstood. In the telegram Gonzales sent ou behalf of Carranza the first chief was described as ready to resign if both he and Villa relinquished their commands and met in Havana not later than November 25. No mention was made of the mau to whom the executive power was to be delivered and Carranza insists he never intended to resign in favor of Gutierrez. The American armored cruiser Tennessee has arrived at Chios, in the Aegean Sea. It is stated that while the captain of the Tennessee was in the ships launch, Hying the American llag, on his way to pay the customary visits on the Turkish officials at Smyrna, three solid shots were fired on the boat by the forts. The American ambassador. Henry Morgenthau. without investigating the ;n-1 cident, it is said, immediately ordered the Tennessee from Turkish waters at the request of tU Turkish officials. Plans for a peace congress to take place in San Francisco during the Panama-Pacific exposition are being carried forward by the American Peace Society. Although the committee appointed to arrange for the congress has hot decided whether foreign nations will be invited to attend, officials of the society said that an effort to restore peace in Europe in all probability would be made. Three Mexican women who had taken refuge on the American side of the border at Naco. Ariz., were shot by stray bullets, one being seriously wounded, during the battle across the border. At 10 a. in. the artillery fire had become Intermittent, still enfilading the southern trenches. An infantry advance from the south was visible from points of vantage on the American side. William J. Reynolds, a freight conductor on the Chicago and Northwestern railroad, was killed in a battle with a train robber between Bradgate and Rutland, Iowa. The bandit escaped into, the woods In Humboldt county, where the officers have organized a posse and are searching for him. Extensive use of the parcel post for shipments of the governments money may result from a decision by Comptroller of the Treasury Downey that the United States can buy insurance for such shipments. Heretofore virtually all of this business has been handled by the express companies. An inspector from the department of commerce has been ordered to Bayport, forty miles north of Tampa, Fla., to learn whether a wireless station found there has a license, and whether it is engaged in sending unneutral messages to ships at sea. Gen. Jose Carbajal, a Carranza chief, was killed in an engagement near Puerto, Mexico, when with his troops he joined the Villa forces and attacked Gen. Jesus Carranza. a brother of the constitutlon-1 alist first chief. Ten inmates of the state reform school for white boys at Marianua, Fla., lost thejr lives in a fire which destroyed the, dormitories .at the institution The property loss is estimated at more! than 00,000. "AutomobF.es running without lights through the streets of darkened Loudon kill more persons than bombs dropped from a raiding Zeppelin would." said Lord Richard Neville, of London, upon arrival at New York. The Los Angeles Stock Exchange will reopen for unrestricted business Dec. 7. The quotations posted at the opening will be the same as at the closing of the exchange July "0. Captain Decker of the Cruiser Tennessee reported to Secretary Daniels yesterday that while preceding from Vurla to Smyrna to make an official call the vessel was fired upon.
