RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1915, Page 5

RUSSIA.

NEAR RICA. GERMANS ABANDON MITAU. RUSSIAN SUCCESSES. Pctrograd, Nov. 16. Details of the capture of Kemmern, west of Riga, show that the enemy's position was drenched with shells. The Russian infantry repelled the counterattacks and broke through, reaching the German entanglements, while one Russian unit took the enemy in the rear, subjecting him to cruel maxim arid rifle fire. The Germans in one trench put up the white flag, but the Russians saw through the device and did not leave a single man alive.

The Russians advanced through thawing snow in the swollen marshes with a German maxim posted on every wound, wading waist-deep in icy water. The fleet gave splendid support. Its shells, bursting' far into the enemy's dispositions, cut oIV the reserves. The Germans fled in disorder.

A communique says:. We have taken 50,€00 prisoners, 21 guns, and 118 ma-chine-guns in a month. THE BEAR'S OFFENSIVE. INTENSE FIGHTING PREVAILS. BRUTALITY AT VIIAA, Received Nov. 17, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 10. • Reuter's Pctrograd correspondent states that fighting on the middle Styr, is growing in intensity, is culminating in massed fire by the enemy's heavy guns. Having failed to turn the Russians, the enemy is striving to break the line at a favorable point on the Styr.

Military critics point out that the fighting is not a rearguard action, but pitched battle to the left of the river. The Germans have forced the population of Vilna to work at the fortifications. Owing to their brutality disorders occurred, and a hundred workmen were shot. The fate nf the enemy attacks on Riga and Chartorysk should be decided in r few days.