Progress of the War.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15339, 24 July 1915, Page 8

Progress of the War.

The degree of seriousness of the situation on the Eastern front depends largely on whether the Germans have, as they say, completely invested Invangorod. It is very difficult to think that they have done so. Tho claim is not confirmed by either Petrograd or Vienna information, and tho Germans would hardly havo been able to achieve such, a striking success in so short a time. To invest the fortress they would have had to cross the Vistula, and work right round it, with the Russians opposing every -yard of the advance. German news via Vienna, received subsequent to this claim, merely says that, tho Russians retreated over the Vistula at Nova Alexandria, twelve miles south of th© fortress. If the Germans have worked across the Vistula to tho south, they threaten Lublin from the west, and cut it off from Ivangorod, whilo a crossing to the north would sever communications with Warsaw. South of the LublinCholm lino the battle rages desperately, and it is ' significant that the Austrian communique admits the tenacity of the resistance, and does not claim any advance. Further east, tbo Russians have cleared the right bank of the Bug and taken 1500 prisoners. The "Morning Post's" Petrograd correspondent says there is still no indication of the Grand Duke's intention, which one can well believe. If there over wns necessity for keeping intentions secret until the last moment there is now. His situation was yesterday compared to Napoleon's on certain occasions. It has to be remembered, however, that Napoleon gained his victories against greatly inferior generals and inferior armies. Tho Grand Duko is opposed by able generals, who direct a magnificent machine, and havo tlio advantage of him jn artillery. It is significant, by the way. that the enemy in his reports of victories in the last few days, has not mentioned the capture of any fieldguns, indicating that the Russians have retired in good order, fighting stubborn rearguard actions. From tho other theatres there is little news. The French have gained a little ground in Alsace, and Sir lan Hamilton reports minor successes at the Dardanelles. Tho Austrians claim to have driven back tho Italians on the Isonzo front, but it is jmpossiblo to pay exactly what is happening in this region.