IN THE EAST

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1915, Page 5

IN THE EAST

GERMANS CHECKED. RUSSIAN POSITION 1 STRONGER. EVACUATION OF WARSAW FAITHFULLY CARRIED OUT. Received August 15, 3 p.m. London, August 14. The Daily Telegraph's Petrograd correspondent says that the worst i'ury of the storm is over. Fears for the garrison at (Warsaw are superfluous. It is authoritatively announced that the evacuation was carried out with astonishing fidelity to the arranged programme. The retired troops are now eastward of the Miribran-Lomza line, and the position strategically is daily growing stronger and more favorable. The most interesting development has been hat .between the Dwina and the Xibir 11. By capt' g the village of Tov/'iiy the Russians cut the German Niic ■eparating 'Ponievitch and Xilkomir. Th troops at the latter place are dangerously situated, and it is believed that they are hurriedly 'retreating, either to re-connect with the troops at Ponievitch, or to join the troops that are against Kovno. The right flank of the Ponievitch troops is in an exposed position. The operations against Kovno are extending. Many Poles are employed constructing siege lines, and preparing platforms for the forty-two inch guns and other heavy guns. Kovno is not yet surrounded, while the Russian armies are intact and fre.e to manoeuvre..

HELD UP. RUSSIANS IX STROXG POSITION'. Received August 15, 3.40 p.m. London, August 14. The Horning Post's Pctrogratl correspondent says that the Germans appeal to be definitely held in check, and the Russians are in full command of the situation. The management of the Russian retreat from the Warsaw salient will probably provide a model for future text books on the art of war. Tt Is daily 'becoming plainer that the Germans are finding themselves short for attempting a victory fifty' or one hundred miles deeper into Russia's "vast spaces.

The Russian line now runs roughly from Lomza to Vlodava, with a convex face towards the enemy. The enemy Is astride the railway from Warsaw, near Malkin, but is steadily hold off further from the railway the further north it runs. On the whole the German progress suggests that thev will possibly find the Russian winter before they succeed in reaching a satisfactory defensive line to free their real fighting forces fo4- the Western front.

TOO LATE ALREADY. THE APPROACH TO PETROGRAD. Received August 15, 3.40 p.m. London, August 14. The Spectator says that the German left flank is only three hundred miles from Petrograd. It now appears possible that the operations in the north do not form part' of a vast enveloping movement, but are the l>eginning of an attempt to seize Petrograd by a sudden dash on the coast road, "to which the fleet will contribute by local command of the fton. The plan is formidable enough, hut the Germans are mistaken if they jsuppose that the seizure of Petrograd will paralyse Russia. Moreover, the Germans are already two months late and Riga and Kovno are still uncaptured.

A BRILLIANT EXPLOIT. RECAPTURE OF VLODAVA. Received August 15, 3.40 p.m. London, August 14. The Daily Mails Petrograrf correspondent says that it transpires -that General Mackenseirs effort to -break the Russian line at the Bug nearly succeeded in cutting oft' large Russian forces, General Mackensen forced his way to Vlodma. regardless of cost, and the Russian position was precarious. General Alekeff realised the situation and rushed forward all the available troops and guns with orders that Vladava must be retaken.

The troops obeyed magnificently, and retook the town. They drove the enemy back twenty miles in three days, and are still holding him. This irresistible wave of Russia's bravely must be accounted one of the most glorious episodes of the war.

RUSSIAN REPORT.

BRISK SKIRMISH IN THE CAUCASUS

Received August 15, 3 p.m.

Petrograd. August 14.

Official: In the Kovno district the enemy has temporarily abandoned their attacks. In the middle Vistula region, in conformity with the exigencies of the situation, we evacuated SokoliolT, Siedke, and Till Icon". In the Caucasus the Turks twice assumed the offensive along the whole front. In Passin Valley we allowed them to approach to two hundred yards, and then twice repulsed them with enormous losses, capturing six officers' and 130 Our cavalry had several successes, and one Cossack captured a patrol of seven men. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. Received August 15, 4.35 p.m. Amsterdam, August 14. A Berlin official message says: A new battle \!f developing, where General Rindcnburg's armies are engaged in the north Niemen district. We took the fortified forest of Doniikanka. prUoneving 350 between the Na.ro w and the Bug. We have reached Slina, where the enemy arc resisting. We stormed a strong advanced position north of Novo Georgievs-k, capturing 1800 men and four machine-guns.