A FINE TRIBUTE TO THE RUSSIANS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2539, 13 August 1915, Page 5

A FINE TRIBUTE TO THE RUSSIANS

WARSAW AND THE GREAT RETIREMENT Br Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. August 12, 8.p.m.) London, August 11. Mr. Stanley "Washburn (tho American war correspondent) says that the capturo of Warsaw undoubtedly represents tho greatest German achievement in tho war, but it would-be unfair to • magnify its importance. ' "Tho city ivas not lost through defective generalship or-inferiority of troops, but by the inability of the Russian Empire to con- , vert quickly its vast resources for war -purposes.- I've been in and out of' Warsaw constantly siuce tho evacuation started. There has . not been the • slightest confusion or panic, and tho troops were neither demoralised nor discouraged, though bitterly disappointed. None wanted peace, all saying that they must , retake Warsaw and •.■■■ beat tho Germans. ■ "If tho enemy found anything valuablo, in the city all mil bo greatly surprised. The army practically vacated the city on tfhe Wednesday night, thus blocking tho German hopes of causing a disaster. Tho Allies can have tho satisfaction of knowing that the. Hussions played tho gamo to practically tho last minute, to. the last round of shrapnel, and then retired, in perfectly good order, leaving the' Germans an undefended city. "Tho armies throughout the moveniont acted on a symetrical plan, following a time-table in conjunction along tho whole front, taking the maximum-. toll on tho enemy, and then escaping intact. If tho Germans consider that by capturing Warsaw they struck a decisive blow at Russia, they should recollect that after a year's warfare they stand today at practically the ' samo point as Napoleon did when ho commenced his disastrous campaign. Tlio Russians will gladly fight on indefinitely. I feel a greater admiration for them than ever. In their Gah'cian . successes they wcro' fine; in to-day's trial they're superb." '