THE RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15955, 17 July 1917, Page 7

THE RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE.

GAINS IN GALICIA. AUSTRIAN ATTACKS REPELLED. (By Cable—Frees Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable A«eoct».tioj.> (Kouter's Telegrams.) (Received July 16th, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 15. A wireless Russian official message states:— "We repulsed several attacks southwestwards of ELalusch against the Dob-rubdiany-Novica front, and captured 600 prisoners. As the result of a series of stubborn attacks in the region of Lodziany we drove out the Austrians from their positions and captured over a thousand prisoners and a number of guns. "The enemy is attacking the Lomnica river crossing, near Perehinsko, in an effort to throw us back from the right bank of the Lomnica. "Rains are causing the Lomnica and the Dniester to inundate. "The enemy is resisting our offensive on the Slitivk-lasen front." IN ARMENIA. "In the direction of Lake Van we drovo back the enemy from Arjish, and in tho region of the Darasi river. We dislodged the Turks in the region northward of Serdesht and the heights south of Lake Van.

"Wo submarined two schooners in the Bosphorus." GALICIA PANIC STRICKEN. (By Cable—Preso Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) LONDON, July 15. The "Daily Telegraph" correspondent at Rome says that Austrian reports state that the population of Galicia is in a. state of panic. Thousands of families are fleeing into the interior, and Vienna and Budapest are crowded with refugees. Divisions of Cossacks are ravaging the country towns. Dolina and tho Strjj region are deserted. THE ENEMY'S PLIGHT. COMPLETE DISORGANISATION THREATENED. PETROGRAD, July 15. Tho importance of the occupation of Kalusch, in Galicia, is that it brings the Russians 20 kilometres nearer Dolina and enables them to deboucn behind the enemy's communications, threatening complete disorganisation that will, compel the armies beyond the Carpathians to retreat through tcrritorv devoid of roads, exposing tho left flank to continual menace during the retreat. The Germans are concentrating reinforcements on the Dvina. Transports are crowded with German troops. It is reported from the Baltic that hand-to-hand fighting in houses and gardens at Povicze resulted in the rout of the enemy. Entire battalions were wiped out. M. Gutchkoff, an ex-War Minister, has enlisted as a private. GREAT DEEDS IN" GALICIA. ATJSTBIANS' FEEBLE RESISTANCE. ("The Times.") (Received July 16th, 8.25 p.m.) LONDON. July 15. Mr Wilton, the London "Times" correspondent at Russian South-western Headquarters, states that the selfsacrificing examples of the commanding officers and subalterns are greatly inspiring their men and the Army Committees. They heroically march, at the head of attacking waves. The Russians have already achieved great deeds with regiments which have been terribly depleted by desertions or sickness. Their success has so stimulated the zeal of the large reinforcements which are arriving that future possibilities are excellent. The Germans are much alarmed, and are rushing up reinforcements from France. Many Austrian positions were exceedingly strong, and the Austrians suffered little as they surrendered wholesale, showing little resistance. IN RUSSIA. SOCIALISTS SUPPORT THE OFFENSIVE. PETROGRAD, Julv 15. The progress of the offensive is _ favourably influencing the political situation. The leaders of the bulk of the oo-

cialists are disappointed at the German Socialists not supporting their peace terms, and now advocate the continuation of the offensive. THE EX-CZARINA'S CONDITION. PETROGRAD, July 15. The commander of the Alexandra Palaco reports that the ex-Czarina is unable to walk, her legs being swollen, following heart affection. GRAVE SITUATION IN FINLAND. COPENHAGEN, July 15. The situation in Finland is worse. The police have resumed duty, but other strikes are threatened, including railwaymen. Food supplies from Russia have been stopped. Foreigners are forbidden to enter Finland.