Eastern News

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 42, 20 February 1915, Page 5

Eastern News

MASURIAN LAKES.

THE COMMANDER DECORATED. Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8 a.m.) London, February 19. The Kaiser lias conferred the Order of Merit on General Falkeuhayn in recognition of his victory at the Masurian Lakes. Amsterdam, February 19. The Kaiser telegraphed to Hen Bethrnanu-Hollweg regarding the Masurian Lakes battle. He said that under his own eyes the new levies had proved equal to the old troops. "Neither cold, snow, nor the tenacity of the enemy impeded victory. Our losses were fortunately small. My joy at the glorious success was diminished at the sight of a flourishing district laid waste. Devoid of all human feeling, the enemy, in a senseless rage during their flight, burnt and destroyed almost all the large houses. Thp loss is irrecoverable.”

RUSSIA’S RESOURCES.

THE WAR INDUSTRY QUITE EQUAL TO OTHER BELLIGERENTS

(Received 8 a.m.)

London, February 19

A Swiss scientist says that Russia does not need any assistance in the matter of arms and ammunition . She has 30,000 hands employed in manufacturing at Barantcha, 50,000 at Putiloff, and another centre at Briansk. Russia’s war industry, he says, is equal, if not superior, to the othei belligerents.

THE AUSTRIANS’ CLAIM. CZERNOWITZ OCCUPIED ON WEDNESDAY. (Received 8.40 a.m.) London, February 18. An Austrian communique claims that the Austrians occupied Czernowitz on Wednesday. Mr Martin Donohoe’s telegram was dated the 16th.

SIEGE OF PRZEMYSL.

GARRISON CAN HOLD OUT FOR THREE MONTHS.

Times and Sydney Sun Service, (Received S a.m.) , London, February 19

Budapest anticipate that Przemysl w ill be able to resist for another three months. The garrison consists practically of Hungarian regiments. Communication with the outside world is being maintained by aviators. Daily an aeroplane Hies to the Galacian headquarters, taking two sacks of letters, and returning loaded with tinned meat and hand grenades. DIFFICULTIES IN THE SNOW. United Press Association. London, February 19. Telegrams from Petrograd as to the events at Czernowitz prior to Mr Donohoe’s telegrams, state that the Russians retreated in good order, there being often four feet of snow in the mountain paths. The Tyrolese, by dropping loose rocks, harassed the retreaters, and the Austrians felled trees across the defiles. The Russians overcame enormous difficulties and destroyed all bridges before they evacuated Czernowitz. STUBBORN FIGHTING ON THE 17th Petrograd, February 19. Official: The fighting on the Niemen and Vistula was continued on the 17th, and reached its maximum stubbornness in the Augustovo region and the Serplec-Plonsk roads. Our detachments at Bukovina retreated beyond Pruth.

RUSSIAN RETREAT IN EAST PRUSSIA. Petrograd, February 19. The Official Gazette states that it is necessary to exercise secrecy regarding the East Prussian operations. The German movement was foreseen a fortnight before it occurred, and precautionary measures taken. The Russians retreated in order to tire the enemy, and occupied a concentrated position. CZERNOWITZ FREE OF THE ENEMY. London, February 19. From Bucharest, Martin Donohue reports that the Russians have beaten oil' the Austro-Germans in the O.ernowitx. district, which is free of the I enemy, who arc retiring.