THE GERMAN DRIVE IN THE EAST

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2536, 10 August 1915, Page 5

THE GERMAN DRIVE IN THE EAST

FURTHER RETIREMENT OF THE RUSSIANS

FIERCE ACTIONS BY RUSSIAN REARGUARDS By Telegraph—Press Association—Conyriglit (Rec. August 9, 7.30 p.m.) Petrograd, August 9. _ Official.—"ln the direction of Riga we dislodged tho enemy from tho region between the Dwiua and Eckan. Fighting continues without essential change east of l'on.seviwcsz. "The Germans have not renewed their attacks on Kovno and Ossowiecz The enemy continues to make vigorous attacks from tho'Narew lino alow tho whole front. Great forces aro being diiected against tlio Lomza-Ostrav sector "Thcro has been obstinate rearguard fighting on the left of the Viesrz.' During our counter-attacks wo took prisoner some hundreds. "Oil the left of tho Bug we successfully exercised pressure on the enemy's advance-guard botween the rivers Tourir and Longa, along a wide front."GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE, Amsterdam, August 8. A German official communique states: "Our forces on the Narcw aro approaching the road to Lomza, Ostrof, and AVyszkoF, meeting with stubborn, resistance in some places. "Wo roached the* Hug southward of Wyszkof and occupied Sierock. "W© captured the Zakrozyn fortifications in front of Novo Georgiovsk, aad gained the cast bank of the Vistula near Warsaw. •"The Russians continue, to Totreat before General von AVoyrsch's pressure "General Mackensen's left wing, between tho Vistula and the J3urr drovo the Russians northwards towards tho Vieprz. The ring wing continues tho battle. AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. , Amsterdam, August 8. An Austrian official message states:—"We penetrated south of Lubartof and tho Germans advanced north-west of Leezna into the enemy's lines," (Rec. August 9, 10.20 p.m.)

"Wo drove the enemy out of several lines west of the Vieprz, and occupied Lubatow. The enemy Hed in disorder across tho Vieprz after a hand-to-hand fight. Wo took 6000 prisoners at Lubatow and Miecliow, and also captured two guns and eleven machine-guns. 1 "Tho Russians north-east of Ivangored have begun to retreat northeastward." RUSSIANS TENACIOUSLY. HOLDING PRAGA. A Berlin telegram states that the Russians firmly holdPraga'aiw suburb' of Warsaw east of tho Vistula). Artillery duels are proceeding across tho river. REPORTED CHECK TO THE ENEMY; AT RIGA, .... * , Petrograd, August 8. 'A telegram from Riga states that much excitement was created on tho arrival of an officer from" the front, who galloped through tho streets and announced in the crowded park that the Germans were bciug held. OPINIONS ON THE MILITARY SITUATION . RUSSIA PREPARED FOR PATIENT ENDURANCE* ("Times" and Sydney "Sun." Services.) London, August 8. ! Colonel Pevotz, a military expert, m the Russian newspaper "Retell."says that eight months of comparative quiot on the Western front has permitted tho Allies to regain their force and greatly reinforce their armies. "Tho war is only just beginning," ho says. Tho Russian armies are prepared for any ■ sacrifice, despite temporary checks, and aro even, if obliged prepared to retreat l to the depth cf the enormous onst-om theatre of war, which is capable of swallowing crowds of the new Huns. They will boldly assume when necessary a general victorious offensive jointly with our friends."-

GERMAN PRESS CONFIDENT AND BOASTFUL. ("Tinies" aud Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, 'August S. The German Press is confident and boastful. In a review of the military situation in tlio East and West, it declares that after Waisaw a Russian offensive is impossible in the near future. The operations cf the British and French in the West wore nnablo to save tho shattered enemy in the East. Beforo the new British Army is roady for use Britain will ho swept out of Franco. IMPIOUS BRAGGADOCIO BY THE KAISER. Amsterdam) August S. The Kaiser, in acknowledging tho King of Wurtembnrg's congratulatory telegram, said: "Wo call seo in the fall of Warsaw a significant step on tho road along which the Almighty by His grace has led us. Iloly.ing «u Him, our glorious troops will continue to fight to an honourablo peace." "TIMES'S" MILITARY CORRESPONDENT'S VIEW. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, August 9. ... Colonel. Repingtou, the "Times's" military correspondent, says: "Tho fortitude of the Russians in holding out so courageously round Warsaw after admitting that tho Vistula lino could not. bo held wins them our deepest admiration. Tho Grand Dul;o elected to save his armies and lose the fortress. It would have taken tho whole of his army to hold tho Vistula fortresses, which, p'robably in the ond, would have been forced 1.0 surrender. The Russians merely used the fortress works as rearguard positions. "It is clear that tho Russians retired voluntarily, in perfect order. It will take the enemy some time to replace tho railway and bridges, but it must bs assumed that Prince Leopold's army in Warsaw, and the Austrians at Ivangorod, would cross the river at once and seel; to complete the chain of armies which will oaou form an almost' unbroken luiu fi'OW the DiUt neat RhabuJ'j ths NaxfiWj

"Although there are possibly fiix or seven Austro-German armies, comprising 28 army corps, pressing hard on tho Russian heel, there is no reason why tlio Grand Duke should not rcai'li his now line in safety. The Germans will pursue the Ilussians with tireless energy because the enemy's situation demands a decisive victory. Von Billow probably will not lake energetic action until the other armies arc in lino oast of the Vistula, and in contact with the Russian rearguards throughout the line. Tho Grand Duke's business is to break clear from the armies in contact with him, but to threaten Von Bulow's forces, which arc (lie most menacing of all, and have not yet been dealt with in any way." RUMOURED PEACE OFFER TO RUSSIA WHY GERMANY WOULD DESIRE IT. Petrograd, August 8. The "Bourse Gazette" learns from an unimpeachable fourco that the Kaiser made a yoaee offer lo Russia last week, through tho King af Denmark, Russia replied that tlieie could bo 110 question if peace at present.. (Rec, August 9, S p.m.) | London, 'August 8. The "Daily Telegraph's" Petrograd correrpondent states that a peace overture from Germany is not improbable. "Germany, having failed to carry out her original programme to crush France, is now straining to eliminate Russia from her antagonists, and hoped, by tile momentum of an assault on both Hanks of the Polish salient to cut off and destroy tile Russian armies within it, reducing Russia to impotence. These calculations were based 011 the idea that tho Russians would cling desperately to Warsaw, and tho Vistula fortresses, allowing themselves to lie caught in a trap. Tlio Germans will find Warsaw an embarrassing luxury, but it is natural, in these circumstances, that tho Kaiser should dangle some temptation beforo tins Russians, nnd doubtless ho considers that he, has offered magnamimous terms." "The cmphatie reaction of tlio ollor.is clinching proof of the steadfastness and constancy of our gallant Allies, who will not allow themselves to bo pinned down to a decisive battle until their equipment is complete. The Germans, leaving the railways, have been compelled to carry their supplies aver devastated country, with few roads—the worst in Europe—and making frantic efforts to secure part of the expected booty. "They are vigorously attacking Kovno and Ossowiecz, and are also endeavouring to cut the rear-line of Novo Gcorgiev.sk, while ceaselessly pushing 011 between the Vistula, and the Bug. Although their main plan has failed, it is an open question whether they will succeed in dealing a severe blow 011 some portion of tho Russian forces. _ The meagre news available suggests a regrouping of the Russian armies without serious molestation."