The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 13. 1916. VICTORIOUS RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 13. 1916. VICTORIOUS RUSSIA.

The Russian advance in East Galieia, during the early part of 11)15 was at its height, foi they reached and passed the San River and were well on their way to Cracow, having the Austrians apparently at their mercy. They hail also taken Przemysl and pressed on through the Carpathian passes,, capturing since March 1!) over 70,00 C prisoners. Then, at this serious crisis in the Austrian fortunes, heavy reinforcements of German corps were hurried to their help, and General von Mackensen not only arrested the advance of the Russians, but by the exercise of enormous pressure, backed up by powerful artillery and vast stores of shells, forced back the Russians into their own territory The German success was certainly more

spectacular than decisive, for the object in view—the destruction of the Russian armies—completely failed. After reorganising hei armies and munitions supplies, Russia is once again carrying out a great offensive movement, and the impetus which General Brusseloff is imparting to. the big drive on which he U engaged has already yielded most important results. Up to Friday last they had captured on the Pripet front 40,000 prisoners. On Saturday the cables reported the capture of Lutzk, with 11,000 more prisoners, and yesterday the news was still more sensational, for it was to the effect that the Austrians were practically surrounded in the Polyesie, or the Pripet marshes, and that the Russians had captured about 80,000 of the enemy, together with large quantities of guns and munitions. Whether the last-named captures are in addition to those previously reported or not. is not quite clear, though later figures give the number of prisoners as about 108.000, but as to the importance of the offensive there can be no dSubt, for it is stated that the Russians have regained all the ground lost on the Styr and Strypa since last September. The description of the capture oi Lutzk gives some idea of the staggoring nature of the blow on the enemy, as well as of the excellence of equipment and fighting power of out great Ally, and it augurs well for the success of operations further south, where a similar blow would materially affect the course of the war. It will be noted that the Russian advance not only covers an extensive front, but a forward move of over forty miles. It may bo reasonably assumed that Russia is now able to meet the enemy on equal if not superior terms as regards war supplies, while her weigh! of men must certainly be greater, and those men are animated by the potent desire of avenging the retreat of last autumn. The Austrians are paying a heavy price for the Verdun operations, for which Germany has withdrawn the forces and artillery that forced'the Russians back last year. The wholesale surrender of Austrians - indicates the immensity of the moral as well as the military effect created by the Russian onslaught, and this should prove a factor in heartening up the Russians to a sweeping movement that will paralyse the enemy. Under the favorable conditions on which the reorganised forces of Russia are now taking the field, tliey should 'be able to break down all opposition and turn the strongest fortified positions held by the enemy, and it should not be long before the fall of Czernowitz is announced. Moreover, the Italians should be stimulated by the news of the Austrians' heavy losses and put forth increased efforts to defeat the enemy. Apparently the Austrians are boasting of far greater success in the Trentino than is warranted by the facts, though there is no doubt that the Italians have been, and are being, hardly pressed. It will now be impossible for Austria to send further troops to operate against Italy, for" the Russians will give them ample work in Galicia. The news from this theatre of the war is of the utmost import, and it should' certainly have its effect on Roumania, while, as matters., now stand, Germany will require all the strength she can muster on the Western front. Thanks, to this latest exhibition of Rus--"v's strength and determination, the outlook is decidedly improved.