RUSSIA'S TASK.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1915, Page 5

RUSSIA'S TASK.

GIJRMAN SUCCESSES. Amsterdam, August 27. A German communique states:—General von Hindenburg continues fighting near Bausk, and has captured 2450 men. He throw the Russians back south-oast of Kovno and occupied the fortress if Olita, which the Russians evacuated. The advance continues. In the Niemon district we captured the crossing at Berezowka, eastward of Osowiec, mirsuing the enemy on the entire Sucliowola front and in the Biazowielk forest. General von Gallowitz took 35i)0 prisoners 011 Wednesday and Thursday. Prince Leopold is still pursuing. His right wing is fighting for the passage across the Lesna at Prawa, north-east of Kamienice and Brest Litovsk. General von Mackeiisen, north-east of Brest Litovsk, is approaching the KamicniceHVTyszczyce road and repulsed the Russians across the Ryta, Bouth-e&otward of Brest Litovsk.

THE RICA FAILURE. CAUSES CHANGES OF PLANS. Received August 29, 3.30 p.m. 1 Pstrograd, August 2S. [ Ihe German failure in the Gulf of Riga necessitated a readjustment of the enemy's plans. AH Generalvon Bulow's infantry have been replaced by cavalry aad sent to Wilkomir for an offensive on Vilna from the north, while the siege troops from Kovno have advanced from the north-west and from Eicliorn from the west. FALL OF BREST LITOVSK. GARRISON JOINS FIELD FORGES. Received August 20, 2.30 p.m. Petrograd, August 28. The general staff state that Berlin reports that Brest Litovsk fell after an assault which was not exact. It had ■previously been decided as inexpedient to shut up the garrison of one hundred thousand men, and consequently the most valuable material was removed in good time. The forts on the left side of the Bug only resisted in order to altow the armies to retreat eastward, and when this was effected the fortifications and bridges were destroyed, and the garrison rejoined the field ariny.

CALLING UP RESERVISTS. Received August 29, 2.5 p.m. Petrograd, August 28. A proclamation has been issued calling up the untrained reservists of the first militia category, (between the ages of nineteen and thirty-seven, with the 1916 class which are beginning training. The total number ia between two and three million. STILL RETREATING. THE RUSSIAN REPORT. Received August 29, 2.10 p.m. Petrograd, August 28. German severity in the Government of Warsaw has resulted in guerilla encounters between peasants in the Vlodzlavsk district. A communique states that there is a vigorous enemy offensive in the Kacobstadt region, and obstinate fighting. .Our retreat between the sources of the Bobr and Pripet continues under cover of the rearguards. We stopped the enemy's energetic attempts at the offensive in Bielostok region, inflicting heavy losses. We blew up the Brest Litovsk fortifications, the garrison rejoining tlio field army.

VILNA AND RIGA. GERMAN ARTILLERY STRENGTH. Received August 29, 4.10 p.m. London, August 23. The Daily Telegraph's Petrogr.-.d correspondent says that it is unlikelv that any attempt will be made to hold Vilna, which is unfortified, and unless the Germans capture Riga, they are not likely to hazard an attempt on Peti'ograd, with the autumn approaching. It is estimated that the Germans on ithis front have two thousand guns, from eight to six inches, consuming fifty trainloads of shells every twenty-four" hours. GERMAN REPORT. Received August 29, 2.40 p.m. Amsterdam, August 28. We repulsed the enemy north-east of Bausk Schoenberg, capturing two thousan Russians. IWe repulsed attacks between Radsiwilisthki and Swjadozi, and wc occupied a town on the Narew. General Mackensen's and .Prince Leopold's groups are still advancing. The Allied troops broke through the enemy's positions at Glotalipa, and north and south of Brezanv the enemy couniter-attacks were repulsed with heavy losses'. The Russians later abandoned resistance and are retreating.

SIEGE OF OSOWIECZ. GREAT EXPENDITURE OF SHELLS. Received August 29, 4.10 p.m. Petrograd, August 28. Wounded from Osowiecz estimate that tlie siege cost the Germans five fold the number «f the, garrison. During the night attacks laxge parties of Germans frequently eluded their officers and surrendered. The Germans fired a.bout two million shells on the fortress, including two hundred thousand during the four days of October lasit. GREETINGS EXCHANGED. Received August 23, 2.5 p.m. Paris, August 28. M. Millerand and General Joffre settfcj a message to the Grand Duke Nicholas, conveying >tlieir admiration of tlio heroic struggle of the Hussia armies, and confidence in their final victor*. Tlie Grand Duke replied that, the relation* of common agreement between all the Allied high commanders was a certain pledge to the glorious end which, ivit'h God's help, we shall reach. AN AUSTRIAN REPORT. Received August 2S, 0.5 p.m. Copenhagen, August 27. An Austrian communique states:The Russians from Brest Litovsk are infull retreat both sides of the Minis rail_ wav, and they have burnt the town of Kamlenic Litovile