THE RUSSIAN ADVANCE IN TIE NORTH

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2619, 15 November 1915, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN ADVANCE IN TIE NORTH

FURTHER SUCCESSES ADVENT OF THEIR GRIM WINTER ALLY HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. 'J'lio High Commissioner reports:— London, November 12, 5.20 a.m. "On the Eastern front, on the left bank of the Dvina, in the region of Ixcul, the Russians captured the villace of Bersemundc. Ths Germans coun-lofmt-tnnlttiii, htifc wnfs repnlsßfli witlj honvy Jos^feSi "In the operatioiiß upi'tli of feollij? tha total wuujber of pjigoHera tftkeu k WW. 3500.'* '

London, November 18, 7.30 a.m. ' Petrograd reports :-—"West of Ragatsem the Russians advanced, taking Kommcfl-ii and Anting. "There lias been heavy fighting in the vicinity of a farm at Bersamunde,. near Excul, where ten fierce enemy attacks were repulsed. ".West of Rafalovka we took 250 prisoners." " London, Novemljor 14, 9.45 a.m. Petrograd imports that the Russians pursued the enemy iu the Shelock (?) region on November 12, inflicting big losses.' ELEVEN DAYS' CONSTANT FIGHTING (Rec. November 14, 3.30 p.m.) Petrograd, November 13. r A : communique indicates that there has been severe fighting on tlie Riga front. The Russians, after eleven days constant fighting waist-deep in the marshes, captured Kemmern. " THE GERMAN SET-BACK By Telegraph—Press AEMciatton—Oopyright ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.). ' " (Rec. November 13, 6.6 p.m.) London, November 13. v Colonel Ropington, the "Times" military correspondent, writes:—"The Gorman official report announcing that they are abandoning parts of the country west of Riga which were recently won, because the rains have transformed them into swamps, significantly coincides with the recent Russian successes in this region. The German troops aarte t undoubtedly suffering great hardships. The ground is frozen to a de pth of five feet. "A correspondent with the Russian Headquarters of General Russky's group of armies says that the winter lias set in in the northern sector. There ib_ ice and snow at Dvinsk and Riga with heavy frosts. The advent of winter will not affect the Russian plans. The butting of the Riga-Dvinsk railway has not interfered with supplies, which are effected from the rear. "We havo pressed back the German flank south of Riga," he says. "Here the enemy had arrayed new and inferior troops. We are driving a wedge in the centre of a superior formation, threatening the enemy's lines west of Dvinsk. The railway service in rear of the northern group is working satisfactorily. The main junctions' are fairly free, and the refugees have gone, greatly relieving the railway pressure. Copious supplies of ammunition are 'reaching Dvinsk and Riga."- . A FALSE STIMULUS TO GERMAN EFFORT. Petrograd, November 12. Documents found on German prisoners and dead show that the commanders sustained the troops during the pursuit with promises that Russia would soon sue for peace. Furlough permits dated in August stated that if peace with Russia was signed during the currency of the permits the holders would not return to the front but rejoin their depot. VON HINDENBURG DEMANDS REINFORCEMENTS STIFF BOUT WITH HIS IMPERIAL MASTER. \ (Rec. November 14, 3.30 p.m.) « Petrograd, November 13. Gorman prisoners relate that at a recent meeting with General von Hindenburg the Kaiser insisted on resolute action being taken to force the Dvina at whatever cost in men and material. Von Hindenburg demanded reinforcements, but the Kaiser refused,on the ground that he was unablo to .spare the men. . , , , . Tr „. • , ... A military conference followed, which resulted in Von Hindenburg notifying the Kaiser of his readiness to resign in the ovent of further insistence on the capture of Riga or Dvinsk. . The Germans anticipate an improvement • when the ice prevents the Russian Navy from operating in the Gulf of Riga, and it will not bo necessary to use pontoons when crossing rivers. AT A LOSS FOR FRESH TROOPS. (Rec. November 14, 3.30 p.m.) Geneva, November 13. Reports state that the German losses have been so great that they soon will be unable to fill the gaps. , . . ... Vienna reports that German Headquarters finds it impossible to send the reinforcements which Generals von Linsingen and von Bothmer urgently demand. "DUTCH COURAGE" IN THE GERMAN FIGHTING LINE (Rec. November 14j 5.5 p.m. Paris, November 13.,. The "Petit Journal's" Petrograd correspondent describes the German losses in the Riga region as severe._ "Soldiers' and officers enter a battle completely drunk. Thanks to their superior artillery, the Russians have pierced the Austro-German front between Budka and Kolky."