EASTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 27 July 1917, Page 5

EASTERN FRONT.

STILL FALLING BACK

A FAR-REACHING RETREAT

LONDON, July 25.

.Wireless Russian official. —Northward of Krevo our detachments, which were occupying enemy trenches, retired owing to powerful artillery fire.

A guards corps, with the exception of the Petrovsky brigade, voluntarily retired from Taniopol. The Petrovskys are faithfully battling southeastward of the town.

The enemy crossed the Sereth, driving back the Russians" on the, Smykovce river—Gneiza —Trembdwla line We offered great opposition eastward of Myszkovice. The Germans continued their offensive betweetn the Sereth and the Strypa. Three divisions north-west of Romanov retreated to the rearward. The Germans forced our retirement in the region qf Olesha, despite the gallantry of one infah'try~uivision and two cyclist battalions.

Southward of the Dneister, as far as the Carpathians, our retirement is being continued, we engaging the enemy in rearguard actions. There was stubborn bayonet fighting in the streets of Stanislau. Ihe inhabitants, on balconies and at windows, threatened to throw hand grenades at our departing troop?.

CAN RUSSIA COME BACK?

PETROGRAD,

Referring to ,<the Eleventh Army's want of discipline, a correspondent says it was entirely due to extremists' propaganda, which, it is daily becoming clear, was the work of German spies and agents. The impudence of Russia's moral assassins is almost past belief. Heroic officers are falling in passes. Insubordination has made .headway in all parts of ■ the army, but Russia's psychology is capable of extraordinary changes, and the situation may yet be saved. Kerensky's disinterestedness is unquestioned. His fervent eloquence and driving force will win if it is a one man job, which is doubtful. BATTALION OF WOMEN IN ACTION. PEPTROGRAD, July 25. During heavy fighting on the front to-day, a battalion of women volunteers went into action, setting a fine example to the troops. Cossacks held up the enemy for many hours before Tarnopol, facilitating the removal of stores and the destruction of bridges .and depots. After the fall of Tarnopol the Germans attacked in a south-east-erly direction with a view of surrounding the Seventh aruf~Eighth' Armies which still remained in advanced positions. This necessitated the withdrawal of the right wing on the Brzezany front. The Russian reserve is now stiffening the Strypa-Sereth defences. x RUSSIAN RETREAT. i „ TRAITOR REGIMENT LOSES ALL ARTILLERY. LONDON, July 25. Th e Morning Post's Petrograd correspondent says the Eleventh Army lost all its artillery. It is doubtful whether the artillery of the Seventh and Eighth Armies will b e saved. The enemy are astride the only good road on the Eighth Army's line of retreat. A whole division of the Eleventh Army was blown to pieces by its own artillery in efforts to stop the runaways.

PROBABLE CAPTURE OF SEVENTH AND EIGHTH .ARMIES.

LONDON, July 25. The "Morning PostV-Pctrograd correspondent says that details of the collapse staggers belief. The infantry of th e Eleventh Army shot their own gunners in order to get the artillery horses or shot the gun horses in revenge for the gunners firing upon the- runaways. This panic-stricken act, unless it was act purchased by treachery, left practically all the artilery of the Eleventh Army in the enemy's hands. There is also no hope of saving the artillerv and technical appliances of the Seventh' and Eighth armies. The Germans two days ago were across the best road on the shortest lin e of retreat. The old Russian gun positions are now behind the German line. The Eighth Army abandoned Stanislau, and is making the best haste eastward, but it is exceedingly doubtful whether it will escape. GALLANT BRITISHERS. LONDON, July 25.

Mr. Wilton, the correspandent at Korniloff's headquarters, states that British armoured cars and trench mortar sections gallantly covered the Russian retreat, but their stand was unavailing in the face of the infantry debacle. The Britishers later co-operat-ed with the cavalry in the defence of Tarnopol.

RECENT RUSSIAN ADVANCES A Bi-'JNITER. DEMOCRATS RETIRED TO MOSCOW. , FEELING IN, FAVOUR OF THE MONARCHY ' GROWING. Received 8.50. LONDON, July 26. The Morning Post's Petrograd correspondent states the latest bulletins give hope" of the armies to the south checking the Germans. The penetration of the German lines at Vilna was evidently due to regiments composed of officers, serving as privates, in the -hope of giving the armies a lead. It was a forlorn hope. The regiments accomplished marvels, but that the process was 'over costly is now evident. The vaunted Russian advances, with wide strategic aims, were political moves. The military chief favoured a cautious series of short blows at frequent intervals everywhere along the Russian line. The constitutional democrats .have was Tied their hands of the Government, and retired to Moscow. They will be heard of again soon. Prince Lvoff has resumed the post of head of the Zemstvos Union. EEVOLT AT RIEFF. TROOPS REFUSE TO FIGHT. ODESSA', July 25. Urkane regiments at Kieff refused to go to the front or to recognise the autonomous assembly. They were disarmed. The militia arrested the chief of police and military commandant, sacked the arsenal and stormed the treasury. A professional thief proclaimed himself commandant of Kieff. After fighting, loyal regiments disarmed and arrested the mutineers. There have been many demonstrations in the south of Russia against the dark forces of extremists. There was bloodshed at Niji Novgorod, where the extremists incited the troops to refuse to go to th e front. THE RUSSIAN CANCER. MACHINE-GUNS TO CURE IT. LONDON, July 25. The "Morning Post's" Petrograd correspondent states that directly General Korniloff asumed command of the south-western front lie saw the condition of the Eleventh Army and urgently applied to the Provincial Government to sanction the punishment of soldiers for misconduct. General Korniloff is now in a position to turn machine-guns upon traitors, and the drastic use of the steel will cut out the cancer on the fighting front. The breach in the front is nothing like so formidable as the earlier German success, moreover the south-western front is exceptionally well provided with the indispensable adjuncts of warfare and does not depend on Petrograd for its material. Commissaries of the Russian armies on the south-western front sent a message to the Prime Minister and War Minister, pointing out that capital punishment of traitors and deserters was necessary to restore discipline in the armies. The Seventh Army imitated th e example of the Eighth Army which took Halicz and Kalusz but was forced to retreat, its right flank being exposed because the cowards and faint hearts 'fled. The (Government appointed a representative commission to inquire into the recent disorders in Petrograd. | THE GERMAN STORY.

STILL ADVANCING IN THE EAST,

LONDON, July 25. A German official report says: Powerful artillery fire continues in Flanders We drove back tfepreated E ngltsh thrusts. Strong French attacks supported by fresh divisions failed at Craonne. The Russians have refrained from reattacking and our advance is uninterrupted. The Kaiser watched the troops repulse a strong Russian attack between Tarnopol and Trembovla. We assaulted their position, capturing the heights on the east bank. AVe captured Tarnopol, and are nearing Buczacz. We also captured Stanisla* and Nodworna. The Russians penetrated our lines in the Susita Valley, in Roumania, but were immediately brought to a standstill. LENIN ARRESTED. Received 9.45. NEW YORK, July 26. A telegram from Petrograd states that Lenin has been arrested in Finland and charged with being a German spy. ARRESTED AND DISMISSED. Received 11.20.

HELSINGFORS, July 26.

A number of Lenin's friends bj r the military committee at Helsingfors have been d'sr.r!ssed.

ATTEMPT TO OUTFLANK KORNI-

LOFF FAILS. WOMEN'S BATALION TAKES PRISONERS. i Received 11.45. PETROGRAD, July 26. The Nord Sud Agency states the German attempt to outflank General Korniloff failed. The "Russians are slowly retreating, but the Germans are not attempting to develop actions. In northern and eastern directions Korniloff occupies more""concentrated postings for defence. The women's battalion has captured one hundret! prisoners. Madame Botschakoff, the commander, founded up the Germans, who, at this point brought, up two divisions, one of which was practically annihilated in the first day's fighting. A SUPERHUMAN EFFORT NECESSARY. TO SAVE RUSSIA. Received 11.45. PARIS, July 26. Marcel Hutin, the expert French commentator, says that unfortunately the whole of Bukovina is threatened with loss unless a superEuman and speedy effort is made to save Kolomea and Chersovitz. With some thoroughly staunch divisions Russia may save the situation. The Roumanians have gained some "notable successesbetween Susita and Putna. STRONG MEASURES .AGAINST SOCIALISTS. Received 11.20. PETROGRAD, July 26. The Russian Government is taking strong measures against the extreme Socialists. IN GERMANY. SHIPMENT OF GERMAN GOLD. TO IMPROVE EXCHANGE. Received 11.45. COPENHAGEN, July 26. Newspapers state that twenty million marks in gold have arrived from Germany with a view of improving exchange. The shipment included a large quantity of securities, principally for Sweden. ' ,

INCIDENTS OF THE WAR

FILLING THE GAPS. CIVILIAN RECRUITING BOARDS. LONDON, July 25. The newspapers comment favourably on Lord Derby's proposal that recruiting be entrusted to a Civilian Department. There is a general belief that the medical examinations under the War Office have proved so defective that they are becoming dangerously unpopular. Civilian tribunals are already largely responsible for the selection of recruits, so that the reform is less revolutionary than it appears at first sight. When the War Cabinet approves the number of men whoni the War Office demand, th e civilian bodies will be called on to find the men medically examine them and send them to the depots The Committee on Medical Examinations had already indicated that it was in favour of entrusting recruiting to a Civilian Department, but Lord Derby dramatically intervened, and suggested that the recommendation should be carried to its farthest limit. ALLIED LABOUR CONFERENCE. Received 8.50. LONDON, July 26. T.he National Executive of the Labour Party is issuing invitations to Allied Labourites and Socialists to attend a conference at London on August 8. Two days later the Labour Party will meet to consider the possibility of sending" representations to the International Confernece at Stockholm.

The feeling is growing that matters were infinitely better under the old regime. A great demonstration in Moscow favouring the Monarchy was held and the portrait of the Czar carried in the procession. HONOURS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS. WELLINGTON, this day. The High Commissioner cables: The following honours have been awarded to New Zealandefs: Military Cross, Sec-Lieut. Harold Speight;" Distinguished Conduct MedalT TempSergt. H. Anderson, Riflemen W. I. Douglas,, J. Hansen, Sergt-Major V. G. Hunter, Sergts. S. Robinson, H. Struthers, J. H. Taplin, J. A. Taylor, mentioned in despatches, "Col. E. W C. Chaytor, Capt. (Temp-Major) C. F Hemes, Major (Temp. Lieut.-Col.)) A. M. Samuel, and Major J. H. Whyte.