In the East

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 19, 23 January 1915, Page 5

In the East

POSITION AT PRZEMYSL. I SLAUGHTERING THE HORSES FOR FOOD. HEAVY AUSTRIAN LOSSES. [United Press Association.] (Received 8.30 a.m.) Petrograd, January 22. The reports of prisoners captured in the vicinity of Przemysl state that I the garrison is in extreme need. Horsemeat is unobtainable except by the daily slaughter of the transport booses. The stores are empty and have been plundered by disorderly crowds. The Austrian losses are so heavy that the Tenth Array Corps has only two batteries left.

DISTRESS IN CARPATHIANS. STARVING REFUGEES ATTACKED BY WOLVES. (Received 9.0 a.m.) Petrograd, January 22. There is terrible distress in the Carpathians, the thousands of inhabitants fleeing in a starving condition, hiding in pits, which had been dug in the mountains. Many were attacked by wolves. GENERAL.

London, January 22. The Daily Telegraph’s Warsaw correspondent says the Russians are initiating a great offensive, wherein cavalry will play a leading part. The Cossacks’ horses are wonderfully fit, despite 63 days’ field work. Their success is due to the light transport carts, which are able to go almost anywhere where a single horseman can ride. The Russian field fortifications before the Vistula cover eighty miles, and consist of six rows of supporting trenches, superbly built, and practically impregnable. The German staff is no longer troubled over the Warsaw problem. The Grand Duke Nicholas’ general policy is to continue to hold as many German troops as possible in the present positions while bringing up fresh armies to operate in a selected region, while the cavalry will begin thir offensive. Fresh armies will form behind and hold the invaded country. There is much discussion concerning the news that German troops are traversing Hungary. It is suggested that the statement that 400,000 Germans are gathering to attack Servia is really put forward as a blind while a force is being concentrated to deal with the invasion of Hungary.

A Hungarian letter published in London states that it is now known that Hungary alone has already lost nearly half a million killed, and half a million wounded and prisoners. Petrograd, January 22.

The army opposing the Russians in Bukovina occupies the mountain passes, where they have numerous artillery and machine guns. The Russians secured successes at Kirlibaba, Jakoveni, and Dornawarta, the fruits of a series of guerilla raids and bayonet fighting, in the face of desperate resistance.

Bucharest, January 22

The Russian offensive is progressing. The Russians have a marked superiority in numbers over the Austrian left wing, which is retiring along the left bank of the Distritza, leaving the Russians an open road to Dornawarta. The Hungarians are advancing on the Distritza to arrest the invaders.