"THE DECISIVE BATTLE HAS BEGUN"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3128, 5 July 1917, Page 5

"THE DECISIVE BATTLE HAS BEGUN"

STATEMENT BY THE RUSSIAN j HIGH COMMAND STIRRING CALL TO THE NATION (Bγ Telegraph—Preei Aesooiation—Copyright). .s.•■'• Petrograd, July 3. . The High Command of the armies on the western (Russian) front has issued an order-of-the-day which states: "The army on the south-western.'front has defeated the, enemy. The decisive U'.tlo has begun upon which depends the fate and liberty of the Russian people. Our brothers on the couth-western front are advancing victoriously, and look to us for prompt assistance. Wo will not betray them. The enemy will hear the thunder of our cannon. The troops on the western front will put forth all their efforts. Otherwise the Russian trocps who have entrusted to us' the defence of their liberty and honour will curse us."—Reuter. PROGRESS OF Tp OFFENSIVE AUSTRIANS RETREAT ACROSS THE STRYPA. "'■■■■. . / .'■■'.:■ : New York, July 3. A message from London states that the Austrians have retreated across the Upper Strypa. The Russians are marching towards- Zlochoft'.—Aiis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • : • ■ RUSSIAN OFFICIAL REPORT •■■".'. /.' .:'.'' :.' .. ' , .SUCCESSFUL ADVANCE CONTINUES. . The High Commissioner reports:— \ ■■•'.'■' . ; ' ■'■ London, July 3, 3.30 p.m. '■' A Russian official report states:-"We continue our/ successful offensive in 'the direction of Zolochoff. We have captured 6300 of the enemy, 21 guns, lli machineguns, aucV several nijne-throwers. 'Prisoners continue to come in south-eastward of Brzezany. On Sunday we took 2253 prisoners." ■' ' AUTHORITATIVE ACCOUNT OF THE FIGHTING. V (Rec. ■ July 4, 8.15 p.m.) . , .'. -■ ■ , . ; London, July 3. "* The following details of the new offensive are supplied by an authority:— "A portion of an army corps and 'the Finland Division attacked the enemy under a violent tire, and took two Hues of trenches north of Koniukhy, afterwards repelling counter-attacks-. Some regiments suffered severely, especially the ■ officers. On the rest of this sector the artillery .continues to demolish the enemy's trenches, which are replying vigorously. In the section where the army>corps_ wns engaged our troops carried all the trenches on the elopes of Mount Sredniayogoiirn, east of Koniukhy, which was strongly defended. .They occupied Koniukhy and the forest on the western side as far as the Korf Torrent, and the whole of the trenches south. , of Koninkhy, capturing many prisoners and machineguns. Part of the Trans-Ameer division, after capturing the western outskirts of the village of Schibalius, all three lines of trenches in the Forest of Lischon, deployed north of the forest, where they entrenched themselves. The enemy is violently bombarding the Forest of Brzezany, which we are attacking. Detachments of a division of infantry carried two lines, of trenches north-west of Zolnouchi, and the Siberian Array Corps took two lines of trenches south-west of I'otutory. Other troops captured tho whole of the first, and part of the second and third lines of trenches east and south-east of Mitchischow. "Yesterday, after ft severe battle, we occupied Presovce, and also etronglyfortified positions on the heights to the west and south-west of Zboroff, and the fortified village of Korshiduv. We penetrated three lines of trenches. The enemy' retired across the Little Strypa. We have captured positions westward of Uzefuvka.—Aue.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

THE ENEMY'S. REPORTS ■'"■'. : London, July 3. An Austrian official message states: "Between tho Naraiovka and the Strypa the enemy is continuously 'employing fresh reserves. He pushed assaulting waves, totalling at least twenty divisions, in hand-to-hand combats, which were mostly repulsed before our first lines."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reutcr. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. London, July 3. A German official message states: "The Bussinn attacks at Koniukhy broke down. Fresh attacks have developed to the north."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Kec. July 4, 11.55 p.m.) \ ■ London, July 4. A German official report states: "Fighting activity has increased on the Riga and Smorgan fronts. There is strong artillery activity on tho Middle Stochod, and on the Zlota Lipa. The Eussian attapks on the Kovel-Lusk railway failed with heavy losses. In. Eastern Galicia the battle continues. On tho west bank of the Strypa. the Eussian masses succeeded in extending northwards of the gap made in our lines the previous day. Russian attacks on JConiukhy broke before our new positions. The enemy has not repeated his attacks against the heights of Brzezauy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable, Assn.-Reuter.r. OPINIONS ON BRUSILOFF'S BIG SUCCESS SPLENDID COMMEMORATION OF THE SOMME. London, July 3. ■ The newspapers give prominence to General Brnsiloffs big success in Galicia as a splendid method of commemorating the oponing of tl>.« Battle of 'the Somme. The news was first givon in Potrograd by M. Keronski (War Minister) telegraphing to Prince Lvoffi (tho Premier) that the Russian Revolutionary Army' had commenced the offensive on July 1. Details were eagerly awaited. The Germans admit General Brusiloff's initial success at Koninkhy, but claim that their wellorganised artillery, in the subsequent fighting, took heavy toll. Their latest communique registers the development of fresh battles further north. Previous German reports hftd prepared their own public for a goneral Russiuu attack along lines focussing at certain points of strategic importance. The more threat of movement wi'.l maintain largo German forces in the Eastern theatro who might otherwise have played an important part elsewhere. The revolution hns naturally weakened Russia's striking power; but the renewed bittef struggle at the front will donbiloss harden the troops and emphasise the need for subordinating internal politics to military- necessities.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THANKS TO KERKNSKi'S IRON DISCIPLINE. New York, July 3. Tho United Press cororspondent at Petrograd states that enemy prisoners say that the Germans learned six weeks ago that the Russians would start an oft'eusiro on July 1. But tho Gorman defensive preparations did not materially afl'ecfc the Russian victory. "The oflen6ivo was carefully planned, find is the climax of Korenski's long campaign of iron-handed discipline. ICcrcnski may stand out «3 the greatest statesman and general of Europe."—Aus.-N.Z, Cable As*n. \ — BRUSILOFF PICKS UP THE BROKEN THREAD. Paris, July 3. Major Decripiene, writing in the "Matin," says that tho Russian demonstrations at Lutsk and Brody, and between the Srrjpl and the Zlota Lipa, all aim at Lemberg. General Bnisiloff is prepared to 'resu.ne the. , carrying out of tho great concentrio manoeuvre which was intonuptal by the »dvoiit of winter and (tits, Cable Assqi. _ _ _ .

PLENTIFUL SUPPLY OP AMMUNITION. Washington, .July 3. Members Of the .Russian Mission stato that the Russian armies are plentifully supplied with ammunition for the continuance of the present offensive. They predict further victories.—Aue.-N.55.-Cable Assn. THE ( NEWS IN PETROGRAD i PESSIMISM GIVES PLACE TO PATRIOTIC ENTHUSIASM. (Ttoc. July i, 8.5 p.m.) Petrograd, July 3. The news of tho Russian success has transformed Hip city. Pessimism has vanished nnd a wave of patriotism has drowned the exploits of the anarchists and mutinous soldiers. The national tricolor is prominent in the streets. A procession, headed by General Knssky and other Russian Staff officers, am-in-arm with officers of the Allies, marched to the Headquarters of the Government, where patriotic speeches were delivered from tho balcony—Heurer. THE ANARCHIST NUISANCE COSSACKS DEAL WITH THE DOURNEVO. REBELS. (Rce. July -1, 11.10 p.m.) ' Petrograd, July 3. ' Armed anarchist bands surrounded tho' C'fosly Prison and liberated a num. ber of prisoners, including two who were charged with espionage, and another ivho was charged with inciting the soldiers against their officers. A bodv of Cossacks surrounded tlio/Dournevo Palace. Iho defenders threw bombs, biit these did not explode. All the conspirators were arrested except one anarchist, who was founded dead inside. It is believed that he committed suicide. The Cossacks did not uso their arms— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RUSSIA IS NOT READY FOR SOCIALISM FIRM AND ENERGETIC MEASURES ESSENTIAL. j Petrograd, ,Tnly 3. M. Skobeloff (Russian Minister of Labour), in a speech, declared that it is tto duty of Democracy to acknowledge that Russia is not ready for Socialism. It is essential to co-operate with the bourgeoisie m order to secure the triumph of freedom. The Government must take iirm and energetic measures street'riots, shootings, and anarchist demonstrations Iγithe meantime firmness is absent in Petrograd, although it is urgently needed. The anarchists are uncontrolled.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.' •• .