The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1915. THE GRAND DUKE’S TASK.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 45, 23 June 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1915. THE GRAND DUKE’S TASK.

The task of the Grand Duke Nicholas in hoping the vast armies on the tremendous front he is fighting, out of Russian territpry, seems almost greater than even his superb generalship and the patriotic spirit of his splendid troops will be able to carry out at this time. It is plain that the German Von Mackensen is pushing the Russians back west of Lemberg, and at

one point he has broken through their line. From the panic-stricken state of the German hordes who got this far, it is pretty evident the Russian recovery was wonderful, and the retribution on the enemy heavy. Under the terrific pressure of the combined AustroGerman forces, which at any sacrifice of life must push on to impress Roumania and other Balkan States, according to the German programme, it is possible the Czar’s armies may have to fall back yet further. A penetration of the Russian front in the Lemberg region would endanger the safety of the forces to the north as well as those holding the Dniester. In fact, the Dniester front would be threatened with double envelopment. The Russians must therefore avoid an actual break of tin* line ii they can, and they are giving ground very slowly, but. unless there is a reserve of strength in the Grand Duke’s command von IMackcnsen’s estimate, military writers consider, that Lemberg will by July bp occupied by the Germans, seems quite within the bounds oi possibility. It is most unfortunate for Russia that there should be the slightest difference between herself and Roumania regarding territorial division, because it would help the Grand Duke mightily to have another quarter of a million highly-trained and well-equipped Roumanian troops opening a fresh offensive against Austria, extending the Russian front and compelling an immediate attenuation ot the Austrian line in Galicia. Such a measure ul assistance would be clieanly purchased at the price of a section of Austrian territory in which iu>l a single .Russian soldier now remains.

It is not to he thought for one moment that Germany will ior long prevail, but unless some great movement in Russia's favor is made at once, there must be a temporary retirement right along the line. Germany will, however, have to pay very dearly Idr iii*y apparent advantage her recklessness may momentarily gain