RUSSIA'S TASK.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1915, Page 5

RUSSIA'S TASK.

THE RETREAT A TRAP. PART OP THE ORIGINAL PLAN. Romo, Sept 20. A Russian officer, in an interview with the Giornale d'ltalia, said that General Alexieff Russky wa3 the most popular general in Russia, after the Grand Duke. The so-called retreat was merely reverting to the original plan of the defensive, bringing the line back to Minsk, which had not yet been reached. The Germans would meet the Same fate as Charles XII at Poltava and Napoleon at Moscow. Although they had lately been obliged to economise shells the Russians, for military reasons, were compelled to send arms and ammunition to the Sereth,- The repulse of the enemy's threat, on Kieff had a political effect, convincing the Balkans that Russia was as strong as ever.

VILNA STRIPPED. CAMPAIGN ENTERS A NEW PHASE. Rceived Sept. 21, 10.30 p.m. \ Petrograd, Sept. 21. A communique states: We reoceupied our former trenches at St. Eidern, southwest of Illutsk, seizing a quantity of rifles and iLiaterial. We retired eastward In the Vilna region, after much fighting on the middle Vilica fords. Fighting continues for possession of the. Vilica fords, northwest of Melodechno. Oivr troops show high military virtues and maintain a coolness and assurance in circumstances of extreme gravity. The Russians stripped Vilna of all metals, including the church bells. They defended the city until the last possible moment, and are now fighting between the Vilica and Vilna, and on the Lida railway. The German cavalry have been repulsed from Melodechno, but they seized the station at Vilezka. It is feared that if the German cavalry fail to cut off the Russians retreating from Vilna they will attempt a bigger enterprise against Minik, threatening the communications of all armies on the Western front. * The movement of fifty thousand horsemen recalls the great cavalry raids of the American Civil War, The struggle is entering a new phase on swampy land, under autumn rains. General Ivanoff is prudently suspending his advance on the Sereth owing to the enemy being reinforced from sections of General MacJensen's widely-scattered army. Our cavalry pursued the retreating, enemy to the Luzk region, sabring many and capturing a large supply column.

A HAUL OP PRISONERS. Received Sept. 22,' 1.5 a.m. Petrograd, Sept. 21. Official: Tha Russians took seventy thousand prisoners on tho front south of Polesnee, during tho last days of August, and the first week in September. A CAVALRY CHARGE. Petrograd, Sept. 20. A communique save: We turned a fortified position in the southern half of the Pripct marshes. The enemy was instantly dislodged and fled, hotly pursued. A notable incident on the Sereth front was a wonderful charge of Russian cavalry, capturing entrenchments, machine-guns, and prisoners with insignificant losseß,

GERMAN ADVANCE CONTINUES. Amsterdam, Sept. 20. A German communique states: General von Hindenburg forced the Russians to retreat south-west of Dvinsk, anil repulsed the Russian attempt to break through at Oryanjack. The retreat of the Russians in the Vilna district ia proceeding. The Russians are temporarily resisting at a few points only. General von Mackensen everywhere forced the Russians further back.

AUSTRIAN REPORT. Received Sept. 21, 9.25 p.m. Vienna, Sept. 21. A coi'iimiiii/itii says: We repulsed a strong Russian attack at Eastluck. There is hand to hand fighting at many points, A Russian column attacked Czcrniewieee and reached the west bank of tlie Ikwa, but our reserves speedily repulsed them.