Russian Campaign

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 256, 8 April 1915, Page 5

Russian Campaign

CARPATHIANS CAMPAIGN

ENORMOUSLY STRONG POSITIONS.

TERRIBLE STATE OP AUSTRIAN FORCES.

London, April 6.

A Times' correspondent, describing the operations in the Carpathians, says the passes, which are naturally exceptionally strong, have been strengthened by every method known to military science. In many places there are three or four lines of trendies on the crest of hills so steep as to 'he nearly unclimbable. The slopes are covered with entanglements painted white so as to be invisible against the snow. In spite of obstacles the Russians are slowly but surely capturing desperate positions in face of powerful Austro-German forces. Owing to the altitude and heavy stfows the cold is terrible. It is stated on absolutely reliable authority that the Austrians are putting their last strength into holding these lines, and when the. defence collapses there can be no force sufficiently strong marshalled south of •the Carpathians to check the Russian advance on the Hungarian plains.

The last batches of Austrians arriving .ire poorly clothed and have little training. They surrender in huge blocks on the smallest provocation. The officers a,re mostly boys and quite incapable oi licking into shape tlie almost raw recruits in their charge. The condition of the trenches is frightful; untold thousands have been frozen or died from lack of suitable clothing and 'exposure. The failure to advance has greatly! damped the Austrian ardour. News of the fall of Przcmysl was greeted with cheers by many, who exclaimed, "The war will soon end and vte shall be able to go home." The fall oi the fortress administered a tremendous moral blow to the already badly shattered Austrian cause. There is a widespread opinion that Austria would gladly make, an independent pua-ce, but fears it would instantly be followed by.a German invasion of Austria. Many consider that if the Germans once receive an effective defeat their Austrian allies will abandon further efforts for an active campaign.

IN THE CARPATHIANS. A SAYGUINARY ENGAGEMENT.

Rome, April 6.

The Tribuna published a telegram from Vienna stating that a sanguinary engagement has been proceeding in the district of Saros, south of the Dukla Pass, since Sunday. The whole of the Austro-German forces, from the Dukla Pass to Eperies, are retreating. They lost l."), 000 men on Sunday.