RUSSIA'S TASK.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1915, Page 5

RUSSIA'S TASK.

defence OF OSSOWIECS. ENEMY USE POISON GAS. . Received Sept. ti, 12.35 a.m. Petrograd, Sept. 5. Major-General Byosovsky, commandant at Ossowiccs, ha 3 reported to the Czar that after repulsing a four days' assault at the end of 1914, the garrison, in February, carried the fighting into advanced positions, with the object of gaining time to prepare a more effective defence. The German aixteen-inch-ers demolished nearly all the works, but the infantry assaults in February and March failed, and the Germans were forced to entrench and bring up numerous heavy guns. The lull lasted until August 7, when the Germans dropped six hundred balloons,, filled with asphyxiating gas, on the fortress. The garrison were nearly all poisoned, and had to yield ground, but, animated by their with superhuman efforts, they drove back the enemy with the bayonet. The Germans, on August 0 dropped twelve hundred balloons. The garrison were exhausted, and almost incapable of effort, and were ordered to evacuate after razing the fortress. HEARTENING HIS PEOPLE. ADDRESS BY THE CZAR. Received Sept. C, 12.5 a.m. Petrograd, Sept. 5. The Czar, addressing a conference of business men of Russia, called to /discuss an organisation for the supply and manufacture of munitions, said: "We requi/re a more speedy equipment of the army with munitions, which is the only thing our valiant troops want in order to stop the invasion and bring success again to our arms. Parliament has pronounced in favour of the war until victory is complete, and this is the voice of the whole of Russia. The resolution implies the need for. greater intensity of effort. We have a great task, that shall concentrate all of the country's human effort. Nothing must distract our thoughts and strength from tlhe single goal, which is to drive the enemy from ouir borders." RETIREMENT ALMOST COMPLETE. HAMPERING THE ENEMY, Received Sept. 5, 3 p.m. Petrograd, Sept. 4. It is officially announced that the Russian retirement is almost completed, establishing more or less stable positions along the whole front, mostly in country unsuitable for the German war machine, which will be hampered by lengthening of communications and the imminence of rains. RUSSIANS HOLDING FAST. AN AUSTRIAN ADMISSION. Received Sept. 5, 3.20 p.m. Amsterdam, Sept. 4. An Austrian communique admits that the Russians are making another stand on the entire front northward of Zolocze, eastward of Brody, westward of Dubno, and in the Wolsynian triangle. TAKING OF GRODNO. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. Received Sept. 5, 3.30 p.m. Berlin, Sept. 4. A communique says:—We stormed the bridgehead at Friedrichstadt, taking 3325 prisoners. The enemy on both sides of the Vilica made repeated unsuccessful attacks. The whole fortress and forts of Grodno are in German hands. The Russians are retreating eastwards, and are being pursued. Wo captured six heavy guns and 2700 prisoners. The enemy have evacuated their position at the Niemen, southward of Grodno. Prince Leopold is fighting for the swamp and narrows north and north-east of Pruzana. The enemy is still rosisting General Mackensen near Berez Karkuska. RUSSIAN REPORT. GIVE AND TAKE FIGHTING. Received Sept. 5, 3.45 p.m. Petrograd, Sept. 4. A communique states:—On the RigaDvinsk front, near the village of Linden, we retired to the right bank of the river, after a stubborn fight. The bridge was set on fire. Between Aventa and Villa the enemy fiercely resisted our offensive. We captured thirteen macliine-gun3. The enemy on Thursday night threw part of a force across the Niemen, near Gx'odno. There was a furious conflict in the northern and western suburbs. Slight engagements accompanied our occupation of new positions on the Sereth river, AUSTRIAN REPORT. Received Sept. 0, 12.5 a.m. Vienna, Sept. 5. A communique states:—Between the Dneister and the southern border of the Pripet marshes the Russians offered a strong resistance, and made repeated wninter-attaeks. Our troops gained a linn footing oil the east bank of the I.owr Scretli, after stubborn fighting. We raptured a strongly consolidated position on the heights at Sloteria, north west of Sinkow. General Boesmermolei's army broke the enemy's line at numerous points.