RUSSIA'S TASK.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1915, Page 5

RUSSIA'S TASK.

TOO LATE. WINTER TO THE RESOUEt , GERMAN INFANTRY IN SORRY PLIGHT. Received Sept. 23, 12.65 a.m. Petrograd, Sept. 22. General Hindenburg*s trap is closing, but too late. The enemy hate forced their way for thirty miles down the Vilna-Lida railway to Biniakoni, but the Russians by driving IbacK the invaders from Malodetchno broadened the [passage whereby they are effecting their retirement, after a fierce battle. The foe is crossing the Vilia and proceeding, but the bulk of General Eitchorn's artillery and infantry, after terrible losses, has halted at Vilna.

The German infantry present a pitiable spectacle. The men are bearded and round-shouldered, and hardly able to move under their equipment, but the numbers of artillery and machine-guns are impressive. Even the cavalry and motor-oyclists are supplied with machine-guns. General Kussky's systematio scheme of, a rearguard action has slowed up the German advance on the Dvina, and it is now reduced to a coßtly series of attacks upon trenches. There is every sign of an early winter, the country already being swept by cold raw winds.

RETREAT FROM VILNA. SITUATION FAVORABLE. Received Sept. 22, 7.35 p.m. Paris, Sept. 21. Col. Adland, the French military correspondent with the Russians at Vilna, escaped during the town's encirclement. He says that the situation, which was momentarily disquieting, is now good, owing to the desperate rearguard fightfng. The retreat along the Vida-Lida railway route, and thence to the Minsk line, is being carried out under favorable conditions.

GERMAN REPORT OF PROGRESS. Amsterdam, Sept. 21. A German communique says that General Eichorn's troops are progressing north-westwards and south-westward of Oschmjano, and have reached the region eastward of Lida. Prince Leopold forced the passage of the Moledazl. southward of Divohlec, and ha 3 reached the lino westward of Ostrov. RUSSIAN RETORT. Received Sept. 22, 11.30 p.m. Petrograd, Sept. 22. A communique says:—There is heavy bayonet fighting east of Luzke. The enemy at Beresovka and Rostoki reached our trenches, but we expelled them with great losses. We counter-attacked on the enemy's flank and the Austrians were unable to withstand the charge, all being bayonetted or made prisoners.