SLOW RETIREMENT ALONG" THE LINE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2467, 21 May 1915, Page 5

SLOW RETIREMENT ALONG" THE LINE

GERMANS FALLING BACK DEFENSIVE WORKS TO COVER RETREAT Amsterdam, May 19. The Germans are retiring along the whole line, little by little. The Allies' airmen indicate that the Germans have taken measures in view of a probable retreat. They have constructed strong positions behind their existing lines, especially on the heights of the Forbus Hills, behind Lens. Many guns for Arra6 have passed through Cologne. _ (Reo. May 20, 11.10 p.m.) Paris, May 20. The Germans in the Aisne and Artois districts have ordered the field to be ploughed up, destroying t,he corn which they themselves had sown, and hoped to reap. / "ENEMY FIGHTING LIKE A WOLF AT BAY" SEVEN SANGUINARY BATTLES IN ONE WEEK. London, May 19. The "Times" correspondent at Pas de Calais sa.vs: —"Last week was tho most bloody in the history of Western Europe. Thero were seven distinct battles, which have not lessened the struggle In front of Ypres, the British were outnumbered and in constant danger of being outflanked, yet they firmly hold their ground, hurling back the German attacks repeatedly. Sunday's dawn revealed dead piled in the field like cornstacks, deserted towns, and streets full of dead men and horses. As soon as light dawns the .work of mankilling commences The battles of Nieuport, Dixmude, Ypres, Laventie, Uichebourg, Leiis, and Carency manifested that in the murderous western struggle Germany is fighting like a wolf at bay, with a fury suggesting tho promptings of despair."—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" scrviccs. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT DENSE FOG OVER THE BATTLE LINE. ' (Rec. May 20, 8.00 p.m.) Paris, May 30. Official—"A dense fog prevails. Matters are quiet along the whole front." ' 0 " GERMANS CLAIM BI'a'EBBBR. * (R.V.. May 20, $.50 p.m.) Amsterdam, May 20 Ail official message from Berlin claims that the lighting north of Ypres was in the Germans' favour, that the English attacks south "of Neuve C'hapelle n-ei-fe i_ ( aH/l it I fit. Lllb Ucilno liq oc.ytii-atl tttJUcriuabo tUb utl k the J/orettfl haiehfc,

GREAT MILITARY ACTIVITY ON THE RAILWAYS AUSTRO-GERMANS PLAN IMMEDIATE OFFENSIVE. Ostand, May 13. Travellers from Germany declare that military trains are constantly going southward, and that everything is regarded as ready for a rupturo with Italy. It is understood that Austria and Germany will strilio immediately at Italy with all the power at their command. People in Borlin aro eagerly discussing plans for the destruction of Venice and Florence. Tho Italian Cabinet deliberated till midnight, but has made no pronouncement yet.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun"sorvices „ FRESH OVERTURES BY AUSTRIA. Roma, May 19. Austria has made a new offor to Italy. ' . AMERICA TO WATCH BELLIGERENTS' INTERESTS. Washington, May 19. Italy and Austria have asked the United States to watch their interests in Vienna and Rome respectively. RECKLESS ASSAULTS ON THE RUSSIAN FRONT THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SAN RIVER LINE PRZEMYSL BOMBARDED BY THE GERMANS The High Commissioner reports:— London, May 19, 11.15 a.m. Near Jaroslav, the Germans, heedless of the countless losses indicted on them by the Russians' very severe artillery fire, are endeavouring to establish themselves on the right bank of the River San. At this point in the course of the day the Russians brought down several enemy aeroplanes, which were correoting the fire of numerous enemy batteries. ' _ Under Przemysl, the enemy is liombarding the western forts with intense artillery fire. Between Przemysl and the marshes of the Dniester, masses of the enemy attacked and reached our entanglements, but were scattered by the Russian fire. The attacks of the enemy in the regions of Drohohytz, Stryj, Bolikoff, Dolina, Delatyn, Kolomea, and Vigornis have proved abortive. The enemy losses in general are estimated at ten thousand. (A communique from Pctrograd published yesterday expressed the loss as being estimated at tons of thousands.) THE RUSSIAN RETIREMENT FROM THE CARPATHIANS A MOVE TO SHORTEN THEIR FRONT. (By Telegraph—Pres6 Afisn.—Copyright.) London, May 19. The "Times" Petrograd correspondent says: "The Russians retreated in the Carpathians in order to rearrange and shorten tlieir front, and are now forming m a compact mass on the San and in Bukowina. They are apparently ! abandoning tho southern half of Middle Galioia, and are about to make'a stand 'm the northern half of the province, with the San as the western line of defence. —"Times" and Sydney "Sun" services. INDICATIONS OF AN ARMAGEDDON GENERAL BATTLE BEGUN IN GALICIA. v (Reo. May 20, 8.50 p.m.) Petrograd, May 20. It is stated that thirty-three army corps, of whioh ten are German, occupy 200 miles of front from Opatow to Kolomeat. A general battle has begun, which will tax the Russian resources to tho utmost. Fighting is most violent at Jaroslav, where a desperate struggle is proceeding for the possession of a bridgehead. The Russian shells repeatedly destroyed the German pontoons, and hundreds of tho enomy perished in the river. The Gormans are bombarding the western forts south of Przemysl. Opatow, almost due north of Tarnow (55 roilos) and 18 miles west of the confluence of the San and the Vistula. From Opatow to Kolomoa as the crow flies is over 200 miles, but following the actual front the distance is very much greater AH. the placo names mentioned in the High Commissioner's message lie along this front. At its nearest point (Delatyn), the Russian line is now 18 miles north from tho Caj-pathians, at tho Jablonitza Pass. AUSTRIANS CLAIM TO HAVE FORCED THE SAN

(Rec. May 20, 11.10 p.m.) Amsterdam, May 20. An Austrian official communique claims to have captured Sieniawa (12 miles north of Jaroslav) and forced, the crossing of the San, capturing 7000 prisoners and eight guns.