RETREAT FROM THE STRYPA

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 40, 16 August 1916, Page 7

RETREAT FROM THE STRYPA

BOTHMER'S ORDERLY WITHDRAWAL

CAN HE ESCAPE IN TIME ?

(By Telegraph.—United Press Association.—Copyright.) (Eeuter's Telegram.)

PETROGBAD, 15th August.

'Now that General Bdthmer, after stubbornly holding his winter lines for ten .weeks, has been compelled to fa.ll back under the menace to his flanks, interest centres in his chances of avoiding disaster. In some quarters it is considered that another Sedan is possible, but there is no sign of that; The retreat has been delayed,- but has been apparently orderly so far. Bothmer is a clever general, and is not likely to hold on too long-in view of the steady progress, of the Russians on his wings. One of General Pflanzer's forces is reitiring north-west from Stanislau, in an endeavour to cover Bothmer, who has the Tarnopol-Lemberg railway behind him, and also good roads. Moreover, three parallel rivers protect his southern flank. Much will depend on. the enemy's ability to hold Halicz, and so enable Bothmer's centre to make good its retreat. The Russians are converging on Halicz from three directions. •It now appears that the allusion in the German communique of llth August as to the regrouping of the troops in order to meet the Russians' altered dispositions, was a method of preparing Germany for the news of. Bdthmer's retreat, but the German communiques have not yet mentioned that the retreat has been in full swing for a wuple of days.

v (Received August 16, 11.50 a.m.)

- ZURICH, 15th August. Austrian Headquarters explain that General Bothmer's retreat is owing to the front being held by troops of inferior quality.