ENORMOUS LOSSES INFLICTED BY THE RUSSIANS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2604, 28 October 1915, Page 5

ENORMOUS LOSSES INFLICTED BY THE RUSSIANS

i A DEBACLE at koiaeovo THE FIRST BREATH OF ICY WINTER By Telegraph—Prow Association—Copyright (Rec. October 27, 11.25 p.m.) Patrograd, October 27. : A. Russian official communique states: "The losses at Komarovo were enormous. The prisoners include many Germans. "German prisoners state that tlieir comrades on the Stjr are. suffering severely from lack of warm clothing. The flooded trenches caused disorders in the ranks, which resulted in the shooting of fifteen men. The German units at Chartorysk have been greatly thinned owing to transfers of troops to' Serbia and the Western front. "Snow fell for three days; the roads are frozen and do not afford a- foothold for horses."

GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Roo. October 27 v 11,25 p.m.) Amsterdam, October 27. A German communique 6tates that General von Hindenburg made slight gains in the Illutsk sector. "Elsewhere the Russian attacks were repulsed." INCREASING CONFIDENCE AND OPTIMISM ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, Ootober 26. Mr. Stanley Washburn, tho Amori«an correspondent at Russian headquarters, writes: ''After ten days' sight-seeing and talking to the highest commandors, one can feel their increasing confidence and optimism, and that they are intent on, and have the capacity for conducting the war to the bitter end. "Hie situation is sound. The armies of General Ivanoff have proved their complete recuperation from tho summer's campaign, a;nd their capacity to hold positions and strike viciously when occasion presents, eneral Ivanoff has shown that he can fight an aggressive defensive. Ho holds admirable positions, justifying, headquarters' opinion that Kieff, which is the only southern objective warranting the enemy sacrifices, is practically beyond danger. The crisis at Dvinsk and other points on the Dvina is subsiding. The enemy attacks are weaker, and tho artillery is more nearly of an equality. "The recent victories are t'lio besti proof" that'the Austro-Germans have failed to destroy or disorganise our forces. The crisis has been passed favourably. Tlie.v liavo issued safely from a difficult position in the advanced Vistula theatre, and stand based on tho contre of the Empire, and are not exhausted. There is still much fierce fighting ahead, possible movements to the rear, but certainly advancos, as tho armies are eager for the offensive. "Tlio Tsar gives most of bis time to military affairs. His life is one of the greatest simplicity. He receives ovations in ovCry town." (Rcc. October 27, 5.5 p.m.) London, Ootober 26. < Writing to the Paris "Journal" M. Naudean (the French war correspondent iu the Eastern _ front) says : "The Russian munition crisis, heroically sustained, is now definitely ended, and tho trqons aro becoming morn capable of returning shot for shot. Tho time is not far distant when the Russians will assume a general offensive, with fresh armies. The gradual weakening of the fighting qualities of the German soldiers is becoming increasingly evident." Tho "Daily Mail's" Petrograd correspondent has been informed by the General Staff that the Russians are holding their ground in tho Riga and Dvinsk regions, despite the Fury of the German attacks. Heavy reinforcements, including Lawlsturm troops, which had been called up last month and sent to tins front- tiftci' % fe\r weeks' training, showing the eagerness of the GeVnian General Staff to announce a victory before the winter.