THE TASK BEFORE HER.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1916, Page 5

THE TASK BEFORE HER.

FORMIDABLE DIFFICULTIES ENEMY’S TERRIBLE LOSSES. pi-'HK “times” cable. - ) LONDON, July 21. Mr Washbourue, the correspondent of the London Times on the Kovel front, describes the difficulties confronting' the Russians. The Austro-Germans have scientifically strengthened tlie natural defensive lines on the Stokhod, intending either to give time for the completion of the Kovel fortifications or check the Russian advance while Kovel is -smoothly evacuated.

The correspondent points out that the Germans are in a dilemma as they do not know when to expect the next Russian blow, because the Russian is hitting here, there and everywhere. But the Germans are clever fencers and have never fought more desperately. It would be a mistake, he says, to imagine that the Germans are on the verge of collapse, although the shortage of food at home is causing the troops uneasiness, anxiety, and affecting their morale. _ The Austro-Germans’ losses in ten davs here were 75,000 to 100,000. ‘

AUSTRIAN ARMIES BROKEN.

STILL RETREATING

THE POPULACE PANIC-

STRICKEN

fAUSTRALUN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION.]

PETROGRAD, July 21. The new Russian blow in Volhynia opens up the, possibilities of action in the Vladimir, Volynsky and Lemberg' regions. The enemy are no longer able to counterattack. ,either north or south.

Nearly all the Austrian armies are> now broken up, and the Germans are unable to send them as-

sistance

General Pflanzer’s forces are retiring beyond the Carpathians into Transylvania.

Meanwhile the Austrian population are'panic-stricken and are Jjiirriedly removing their valuables from Lemberg. Correspondents at the front pay a tribute to the desperate bravery of some Germans, who voluntarily fettered themselves to their machine guns. Three were fettered to each gun, including an rr* ° olncer. »

The Russians found some still working their guns, standing in pools of their own blood.

ARTILLERY DUELS

PETROGRAD, July 21, A communique says : Violent artillery duels are proceeding on. the Dvina-Volhviiia front.