RUSSIA'S TASK.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1916, Page 5

RUSSIA'S TASK.

LIFTING THE VEIL *

'SrjJfiT OPERATIONS DEVELOPING. KOUMANIA FRIENDLY. London, Jan. 4. The Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent says that Russia accepts the view that Boumania is not in a position to undertake a long war. ,Russia is satisfied that Roumanian sentiment and polky overwhelmingly favor the Entente, and the importance of active Roumanian co-operation is diminishing .With the improving Balkan situation. ■y Hie Daily Telegraph's Petrograd correspondent says that the curtain is lifting on vast operations between the Pripet and the Roumanian frontier. It is now clear that the Allies are active .practically on the whole front extending for 170 miles, and have pushed back the enemy at more than one point. It is 'believed that Generals von Slacken«en and Pflanzer are commanding, the latter at Czernowitz.

A semi-official estimate of the German strength south of the Pripet is JiflOO.OOft. Sudden and unexpected Eussian movements have disconcerted the enemjr, whose costly mudworks are now reliquidescent. The rivers are opening the trenehes, which are untenable by the inrush of water. Many prisoners are 'frostbitten. Numbers of Germans are surrendering consequent on a Russian placard ndtifying that deserters will be taken in daily at a certain place and tiour.

THE CZAR. TO HIS TROOPS,

WILL NOT CONCLUDE PEACE. Petrograd, Jan. 4. The Czar, in ft speech at a recent review of the army, said: "Knights of St. George, to you the -most valiant representatives of the army I address my cordial and profound recognition of your courageous and self-sacrificing service during _ the campaign. I beg you to transmit to your respective regiments my sincere gratification at the painstaking .work they have fulfilled, which KttMia appreciates with me. Be assured I will not conclude peace until we have chaeed the last enemy from our territory, nor except in full agreement with <mr allies, to whom we are bound not by paper treaties, but by true friendship and blood. The troops' devoted service rejoices my heart. May God keep you."

London, Jan. 4. A Berlin communique says: Bitter lighting continues on the Bessarabian front. The utmost efforts of the enemy to break the Auatro-Bulgarian lines in tae Toporoutz district have failed. A Montenegrin detachment was routed.

ENERGETIC FIGHTING. HEAV* ENEMY LOSSES. Petrograd, Jan. 4. .. The enemy attacked near Czartorysk, ,alao on the upper Strypa, but were* re- : pulsed with heavy losses. ( _ Fighting north-east of Czernowitz coni tinues with tremendous energy, the Rusj sian advance continuing. The enemy .losses are enormous, and 16 officers and " W unwounded men were captured.

r ' THE BEAR AWAKES. DRIVING OUT THE ENEMY. Received Jan. 5, 11.10 p.m. Petrograd, Jan. 5. ■■■■■. it is becoming clearer that tie Russians have Jaken the iniative on the Southern frontier. It is reported that the enemy have evacuated Cseraovitz, and many Germans were taken prisoner. ■ A communique states that the Russians in the middle Strypa, region oc- . mpied the enemy trenches, and also a line of trenches north-east of Czernovitz, the enemy's counter-attacks being resulted with heavy losses. CZERNOWITZ EVACUATED. THE NEW BUIXJAR ARMY. Received Jan. 6, 12.10 a.m. London, Jan. 5. Renter's agent confirms the evacuation of Czemowjtz. Petrograd, Jan. 5. The new (Bulgarian army consists of . SO,OOO reservists. Macedonian volun- .. Jser* axe ready for the field and are T quipped with Mannlichers and ample If - ■ >■?