Russia

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 297, 14 December 1914, Page 5

Russia

AGA KHAN’S MANIFESTO. RUSSIAN MOSLEMS TO FIGHT FOR RUSSIA. United Press Association. Petrograd, December 13. Aga Khan’s manifesto, which has been circulated in Central Asia and Orenburg, urges all Russian Moslems to fight for Russia.

His Highness the Aga Khan, who has offered to serve with the Indian contingent at the ffout in any capacity whatever, holds a position unique in" the world. Being directly descended from AH, the nephew of the Prophet Mohammed, he is head of the Ismailiah sects of all the Moslems, and counts his followers by the hundred thousand, although his personal territories are not very Jarge. There is probably no ruler in British India whose goodwill is of greater value to England, for the wealthy and influential men who form the bulk of his followers are ready to obey his slightest wish. His of Persian descent, his family having migrated to India some three generations back. A great traveller, he has often visited England, where he is well-known and very popular in society: His father used to give letters of introduction to the Angel Gabriel, In order to secure for his clients a good place in the next world; but the present Aga has refrained from exercising this privilege, though he still holds, in the opinion of his followers, the keys of heaven.

REPORTED GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN SUCCESSES.

Amsterdam, December 13

A Berlin official message states: The German losses in the Lodz and Lowicz districts, and between Pabianice and the Vistula, were much below the Russian. Our estimate of the Russian casualties is 150,000, including 80,000 prisoners sent to Germany.

An official message from Vienna states that the Austrians are continuously and victoriously advancing in the Carpathians. They have captured 2000 Russians. The Garrison at Przemysl sortied and captured 700 Rnsisans, 18 machine guns, and a quantity of ammunition.

THE EVACUATION OF LODZ.

POPULATION FLED EN. MASSE.

(Received 8.10 a.m.) Petrograd, December 13. When Lodz was evacuated, the popu. lation, who were destitute, fled en masse, fearing German- atrocities. Many have reached Warsaw.

THE ENEMY’S TASK AT LODZ.

London, December 11

A Berlin wireless says that much remains to be done before the Russian resistance is broken at Lodz. If the Russians are defeated at Lowicz their positions will be untenable. GENERAL. Petrogradj December 13. The German offensive his 1 theito failed in every direction. Simultaneous attacks at several points on the Russian centre, right, and left were repulsed, with heavy German losses, the 'Russians merely moving their troops from the rear. Official: The Russians captured an additional 2000 prisoners and four guns southward of Cracow. Consider, able Austrian forces have been discovered in the vicinity of the river Dunajee. A non-commissioned officer who escaped from the Germans at Lodz states that he and two officers and thirty men were imprisoned in a stable < for three days. Their tunics were removed, and they were kept without food. When they asked for water the Germans knocked them down with the butt-ends of their rifles. Finally machine-guns were trained on the stable imid jeering laughter, and all wore killed except three, who escaped by feigui ig death.

Official: The Germans maintained an energetic offensive at Madia or, Thursday. Tire Russians drove hack some columns in disorder on Wednesday and Thursday. A series of desperate attacks were made vt l.owmz, which the Russians repulsed with enormous losses.

The Russian offensive at Cracow continues. They captured a n.mber of guns and 2000 prisoners.