THE STERN BATTLE AT HALICZ

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2875, 13 September 1916, Page 5

THE STERN BATTLE AT HALICZ

GERMAN RESISTANCE WEAKENING SIGNIFICANT DEARTH OP NEWS FROM THE FRONT ' . (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. ' . (Rec. September 12, 9.30 p.m./ Petrograd, September 12. Experts point out that tho recent Russian communiques aro remarkable for what thoy leave unsaid. Most important nows has been expected every day, but no word will be said until success crowii6 their present effort. The mystery concerns the stern battle at Halicz, where the Germans aro making a desperate olfort to secure the retreat of their array, which once numbered over 150,000. Tho German General Staff designed it to cut General Brusiloff'e centre. Brusiloff countered tho scheme, and it is now a question whether any will esoapo. Brusiloff's armies on a, 300-milo front continue to advance with methodical stubbornness, indicative of a clear plan and perfected organisation. Tho Russian army as a fighting machine is far superior to that whicli existed at tho beginning of the war, and despite heavy losses to tho first-lino troops, tho whole Europeaif. front is strongly manned, while the training camps throughout the country aro full. Russia's goal is to maintain pressure on Austria, and assist Rumania-, whilo the AlHes at Salonika crush Bulgaria and Turkey, freeing tho Allies for a final concentrated attack on Germany. It is hoped that tho first stage of the grand plan will bo accomplished this year. Meanwhile General Letchitslcy is pushing on through the wooded Carpathians in the diroction of Bystritza, whither the Rumanians arc also advancing. HALICZ TOTTERING TO ITS FALL (Rec. September 12, 9.30 p.m.) ' London, September 12. The "Daily Chronicle" states that the German defence at Halicz is waver., ing. "Tho Germans and Turks aro vainly striving to keep off the line of batteries which is enveloping Halicz with a cloud of destruction and death. Tho enemy is only able to uso one of the many railway lines which.link Halicz, and when tho city falls only the Mikolaiov position remains to dispute the Russian advance on Lemberg." | ' GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. London, September 11. A German official communique states; "General von Botlimer has frustrated the Russian attompt to take Halicz, and inflicted heavy losses on theenemy."