RUSSIA'S TASK.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1915, Page 5

RUSSIA'S TASK.

BIG BATTLE RAGING. FIFTEEN GERMAN ARMY OORPS SURROUNDED. Received Sept. 20, 12.10 a.m. Petrograd Sept. 19. Semi-oflieial: The fighting is assuming the character of a general battle, unequalled since the battle for Warsaw. The German cavalry in the Vilna region were forced to turn .to the south, owing to the blow the Russians struck at tlie lino between Svientziany and Molodechnu. Fiften of the enemy army corps in the Vilna-Orany region are in a precarious position, particularly near Svientziany, where they are threatened with envelopment.

AUSTRIANS IN TROUBLE. UETfiEATIXG IK DISORDER. Received Sept. 20, 12.10 a.m. Amsterdam, Sept. 18. The Tageblatt's correspondent at the Eastern front admits that the Austrians on the right bank of the Strvpa were compelled to retiro ten miles before superior forces, and thereupon the left wing was forced to withdraw cigH miles. Advices from other sources stales that the Austrians are retiring in disorder: from th" whole Volhynia front.

ON THE VILNA LINE. EVACUATION OF VILNA COMPLETED, Received Sept. 19, 2 p.m. Petrograd, Sept. 17. Military experts say ,that thirteen German cavalry divisions are operating in Svirtziano region with guns, quickfirers, and Jaegers in motors. Their manoeuvres have broken the contact between the Russian forces between Dvinsk and Vilna. At the latter place uninterrupted cannonading and frequent bomb-dropping are proceeding. Three German aeroplanes were brought down recently. The evacuation of Government institutions is completed, and thousands of workmen have quitted the factories.

RUSSIAN SUCCESSES. HOLDING THE ENEMY. Received Sept. 10, 5.20 p.m. Petrograd, Sept. 17. A further communique reports: The enemy have crossed to the right bank of the Schaar, attacking the village of Schaar. We again had great success at Derajono, pushing out the enemy to the village of Rudakrasnol, which we stormed, capturing four guns and two thousand prisoners. In the legion of Strypa, north of Butchava, we captured fourteen officers and eight hundred men. On the whole front, south of the region of Rovno, we continue to successfully check the enemy's developmcn by local counter-attacks. Enemy detachments reached the railway line; ibetween Novo Wiliesck and Lowolodeyhflm, and there is considerable cavalry fighting in this district.

THE DUMA. SESSION CONCLUDED. LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN TEE PREMIER. Received Sept. 19, 2 p.m. Petrograd, Sept. 18. A private sitting of the Duma desired M, Rodzianko (Premier of the Duma) to convey to the Czar tlie Duma's feelings concerning prorogation. It is believed that the feeling is unanimous throughout Russia. There are indications that M. Goremykin (the Russian Premier) does not possess the support of anv. of his colleagues, and the responsibility for prorogation is his alone. The intenseness of the opposition comes from cadets, progressives, and such like parlips, who have considered their withdrawal from co-operation with the Government upon war committees. A decision was not reached.. The workers' party intimated that they would insist upon discussing prorogation, regardless of the business before the Duma, and the result was that the session lasted five minutes.

M, Rodzianko, on entering the Chamber, invited the Duma to stand and hear an ukase. All stood up, except the workers and Socialists, who hurriedly left the Chamber. After the ukase had been read, M. Rodzianko called for cheers for the Czar. These were given with the greatest cordiality and the suasion ended.

GERMAN lUCPORT. Received Sept. 20, 12.10 a.m. Amsterdam, Sept. 18. A German communique claims the captu v of u portion of the advanced positions near the Bridgehead at Dvinsfc. It states that the Russians are retreating between Vilna and the Niemcn, where 540(5 were taken prisoners. General Mackensen also took 2000 l>risoners towards Pinsk.

THE GERMAN PLAN. TG LIE LOW DURING THE WINTER. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received Sept. IS, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 17 General von Billow lias announced that after forcing the passage of the Dwina he will pass the autumn and winter in Riga, ill order to march upon Petrograd in the spring.