Acts of piracy

Important Russian decision

Fierce fights in Poland

Quiet day in the west

Last night was not altogether unfavourable for a Zeppelin visit and this fact probably accounted for the mild scare in London and the false reports which obtained such a wide currency.

Reports were also circulated yesterday as to the activity of German submarines in British waters and the U21 was apparently ‘seen’ at several places.

These are dull days just now but it is to be hoped that we are not getting a trifle nervy.

A quiet study of the situation generally is a fine corrective for anything in the way of depression and there may again be news before long, calculated to remove the slight feeling of depression which seems inevitable in the interval after big exploits of the North Sea order.

The allies long line to the west presents an appearance of invulnerability which no tune on the German wireless can dissipate and the candour of the French official reports is not the least satisfactory feature of the situation.

There is modesty too in such statements as that the destruction of the German trenches and machine gun shelters near Berry au Bac was attributable to a number of lucky shots.

There are several interesting paragraphs in last nights communiques.

A violent attack was repulsed with heavy loss North of Albert, a surprise move against the French trenches failed and a German movement was repelled in the region of Fontaine Madame.

On the other hand a French trench in the neighbourhood of Bagatelle had to be evacuated with loss after being rocked by the explosions of two mines.

From the west the reports continue to be hopeful in character and this mornings messages are of entirely satisfactory character.

All the same, anxiety is bound to be felt as to the results of the big battles now apparently raging in East Prussia and the Carpathians.

Of great importance is the statement that Russia has decided to treat the bombardment of unfortified towns as piracy.

The crew of the airship who dropped a bomb on Lisbon it is stated, are to be treated as criminals without benefit of privilege extended to prisoners of war.

Colossal losses

German attacks repulsed

Important Russian successes

Petrograd: the following communique was issued:

On the right bank of the Vistula our cavalry made a successful raid and succeeded in penetrating the German lines on the front at Bejorin, they captured several officers and soldiers.

Yesterday the enemy after having concentrated great forces of artillery to the south of Balinow developed active operations against our positions with very large forces.

The German operation was marked by great tenacity and conducted in close formation strongly supported from behind.

Violent fire compelled one of our units to retire on the second line of trenches, however a counter-attack turned the enemy out of all the trenches and caused them colossal casualties.