THE RUSSIAN RETIREMENT IN EAST PRUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2386, 16 February 1915, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN RETIREMENT IN EAST PRUSSIA

, ' \ FIGHTING VERY STUBBORN GRIM STRUGGLE IN BUKOWINA London, February 14. The "Observer's" Petrograd correspondent states that the Russians in East Prussia are steadily retiring in good older towards lines connecting the fortresses of Kovno, Grodno, and Lomza with the strongholds of the middle Vistula. (Roc. February 15, 9.20 p.m.) Petrograd, February 15. Official.—"The fighting in tho Lyck-Rajgrod-Grajevo region (in East Prussia), wss very stubborn. Our troops further north are falling back to tho fortified line on tho Niemon, under tho pressure of great German forces. "We repulsed attacks in the Gorlicz-Svidik region (iu the Carpathians), and captured tho enemy's fortifications at Smolaik, east of Lupkow, taking over a thousand prisoners. Stubborn fighting has taken, place on the DuklaVyakow front (in the Carpathians)." OPERATIONS IN BUKOWINA i RIGOURS OF WINTER CAMPAIGNING. Rome, February 14. The Russians have been strongly reinforced at Czernowitz (the capital of Bukowina). [Mr. Martin Donohoe correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle," reported last • week, that the Russians were being forced to retire in Bukowina, but would endeavour to hold Czernowitz.] (Rec. February 15, 10.30 p.m.) Petrograd, February IS. Fighting continues in Bukowina, where the Russians, reinforced, repulsed a scries of attacks, after entrenching nor th of Kimpolung,. where the snow is deep. • 1 . Three Russian counter-attacks shattered the Austro-German line at three points, compelling a retirement. The te mperaturo was 20 degrees below zero, and the piercing, ice-laden winds made it difficult to distinguish friends from foes at a hundred yards. The Austro-Germans succumb to the cold quicker than the Siberians. The exposure is causing the wounded horrible sufferings. One thousand were enveloped in snowdrifts. The Russians are fortifying Czernowitz (tho capital of Bukowina). When the Austrians reoccupied the city in November last they wreaked horrible vengeance on the inhabitants for their Russian sympathies. They hanged a number without trial, forcing the condemned, to assist to hang their friends on a crude gallows, and to watch their death agonies before they, themselves were strangled. EXECUTIONS AT FIVE SHILLINGS PER VICTIM. (Rec, February 11.30 p.m.) Petrograd, February 15. The Austrian executioner at Czernowitz received five kroner (about 55.) for each'' victim. • HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICIAL MESSAGE. The Prime Minister has received from the High Commissioner the following cablegram, dated London, February I, 4.30 p.m.:"Petrograd reports that fighting is very stubborn in the Lyck region (East Prussia). Further north the Russians are falling back to their fortified line on the Niomen, under the pressure of great German forces. 1 "In the Carpathians the enemy's attempts to dislodge the Russians, who lire holding the passes, were repulsed, one thousand prisoners being captured." KAISER STUPEFIED BY THE' CHECK 'IN POLAND. London, Fobruary 13. Copenhagen asserts that the German situation in Poland stupefied tho Kaiser. He has ordered another effort to be made te take Warsaw this week. —"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services. AUSTRIAN FIGHTING STRENGTH REVIEWED. ' (Rec. February 15, 11.30 p.m.) Petrograd, Febroary 15. A Press war correspondent is of opinion that the chief Austrian attack is in the Carpathians, and that only two army corps are facing Servia. Three Bavarian corps at Orsova proved to be badly trained Landsturm. It is announced that since the beginning of the war Russia has made prisoner 49,600 Turks.