Silver Lining to the Cloud.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 431, 10 August 1915, Page 5

Silver Lining to the Cloud.

How Germany Has Failed.

Warsaw an Embarrassing Luxury.

Duke Nicholas’ Excellent Strategy.

< Germany Frames a Basis of Peace.

A Cool Statement for a Dishonoured Nation.

[HUM ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.J

Received to, 2 p.m. ) London. Aug. 9. A wireless message from Berlin states that the united press of America sought a message ir<>m the KaisCr m the moment of his great triumph, explaining the basis upon which Germany considered it necessary to secure European peace and the surest advancement of civilisation. The German Chancellor Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg 1 replied that German} hopes the victory in Poland will hasten the termination of the war “We arc lighting for a peace guaranteeing Germany and her allies such hrm safeguards as they need for their national future and a lasting peace, guaranteeing all nationalities the freedom 01 the oceans, to enable them to serve in the work ot progress and civilisation by means of free world-wide commerce.” Petrograd, Aug. 9. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Petrograd correspondent says that peace overtures arc not improbable. Germany has failed to earn' out her original programme and crush France. She is now' straining to eliminate Russia from the list of antagonists. It was hoped that the momcntuin of assault on both flanks ol the Polish salient would cut off and destroy die Russian armies within it, redu'ing Russia to impotence. These calculations were based on the idea that the Russians would cling desperately to Warsaw and the Vistula fortresses, allowing themselves to be caught in a trap. The Germans will find that Warsaw is an embarrassing luxury, but it is natural in these circumstances that the Kaiser should dangle a temptation before the Russian’, and doubtless enn iders that he has offered magnanimous terms. The emphatic rejection of the of! er is a clinching proof of the steadfastness and constancy ot our gallant Allies, who would not allow themselves to he pinned down by a decisive battle until their equipment was complete. The Germans leaving the railways will be compelled to carry supplie. over a devastated country with few roads, which are the worst m Europe. In the frantic effort to secure pari of the expected boot}-, they arc vigorously attacking Kovno ana Ossowiec .'32 miles north-east of Lomza), and are also endeavouring to cut lhe railway line at Novo Georgievsk - north-west of Warsaw ). They arc ceaselessly pushing on between tiie \ istula and the Bug. Although their main plan has failed, it is an open quo--t ion whether they will succeed 111 making a sex ere blow on some portion of the Russian forces. The meagre news available suggests a regrouping of the Russians without serious molestation.

COMPENSATIONS FOR THE INVASION.

THE FIXED PURPOSE OF THE NATION

ENEMY OF IB’MAN RA< T. Ml ST BE DESTROYED

London, Aug. 9

Dr. E. J. Dillon, writing to the “ Daily Telegraph,” .says he has received communications from prominent Russians declaring'that, despite the fact that the invasion of Russia has begun in grim earnest, the reverse has compensations. It ha-> raised the political temperature man} degrees, ,-nul will do more than piles of Orange Books and appeal- to bring the Duma and Government into line, and I use aH layers of the population into n compact patriotic nation, h has already torpid elements to resolve to reined} their deficienties. Not since the Napoleonic invasion has there been such a rex it al, resulting in one fixed purpose-—to defeat the enemy ol the human race. The check has permanently destroyed the barriers separating the people and the Government, anil is accelerating the political and social regeneration ot Russia. Henceforth she will take her place among- the free people- oi the world, and ma} be trusted implicit!} to fulfil her promises to peoples other than Russians unstintedly. I hex pay a tribute to die brilliant achievements of the Lnghsh and french, hut sax thex must take a bigger share of the common burden. Russia is temporarily immobilised. The absoriung question is what nexx- element will come into being, lhe Bulgar- <o-operation would give us Constantinople in less than a month, but Bulgaria won t march unless her Haim to Macedonia i-> recognised, and Servia refuses to disposses- herself even for a compensation worth three Maccdonias her political prestige and economic strength. RUSSIAN FAITH IN CREAT BRITAIN. London, Aug. 9. Professor Pares, m an interview, says that all along the Russian front the soldiers showed a touching belief in England s friendship. Man}- said they knew they would win because England was in it. Russia’s people have the most tremendous trust in the British fleet, and full} appreciate the silent, successful work done in the past year.

TRIBUTE TO RUSSIAN COURAGE.

FORTRESSES SACRIFICED TO SAVE HIS ARMIES

PROSPECTS OF REACHING NEW LINE IN SAFETY

London, Aug. 9. Lieut. -Colonel Repington says that the fortitude of the Russians in holding nut so courageously round Warsaw after admitting that the Vistula line could not be h?ld wins them the deepest admiration. The Grand Duke has elected save his armies and Jose the fortresses. It would have taken the whole of his army Jo hold the Vistula fortresses, which would probably in the end have been forced to surrender. The Russians merely used the fortress works as rearguard positions. It is clear that the Russians retired xoluntarily and in perfect order. It will take the enemy some time to replace the railway and bridges, but it must be assumed that Prince Leopold’s army’ in Warsaw and the Austrians at Ivangorod would cross the river at once and seek to complete the chain of armies which wall soon form an almost unbroken line from the Bug, near Cholm, to the Narew. Although there is a possibility of six or seven Austro-German armies, comprising 2S army corps, pressing hard on the Russians’ heels, there is no reason why the Grand Duke should not reach the new line in safety. He thinks the Germans will pursue the Russians with tireless energy because the enemy’s situation demands a decisive victory. General van Buebw will probably not take energetic action until the other armies are in line east of the Vistula and in contact with the Russian 1 carguards throughout the line. The Grand Duke’s business is to break clear from the armies in contact with him. but the threat of \ 0.1 Buelow s forces, which is the most menacing of alt, is not yet dealt with in any way. THE BRITISH COLONY’S DEPARTURE. Petrograd, Aug. 9. The British colonv left Warsaw a month ago. Forty British, whose long residence had made them thoroughly Polish in sentiment, and six elderly ladies, remained to the last. The Russians facilitated their departure. PROCRESS OF THE FICHTINC. THE PETROGRAD REPORT. ' OFFICIAL.— In the direction of Riga we dislodged the enemy froth the region between the Dwina and Eckau. • Fighting continue., without any essential change east of jftmeviezh, south-east oi Shavly. The Germans have not renewed their attacks on Kovno and • Osowicc.

The enemy continues a vigorous attack from the Narew line along the whole front. Great forces are being directed against the Lnmza-Ostroxx- sei t« .1.

There is obstinate rearguard lighting on the lefl of Wieprz During our counter-attacks vte took prisoner some hundreds

On the left of the Bug we successfully exercised pressure on the enemx ’s advance guard between the rivers I otirir and Songa along a wide front.

THE HUNS’ OCCUPATION OF WARSAW.

ENEMY REPORTS OF THE BOMBARDMENT

Amsterdam, Aug. 9

Correspondents of German paper- describing the fall of Warsaw say that for two days the German guns bombarded the fortifications, and grew more intense on Wednesday night, the whole army’s field artillery participating. The Russians failed to stem the advance, and at midnight evacuated the outermost fortress. 'Hie Wuriemburgers, Saxons and Prussians attacked eight other fortresses, rushing across the soaked trenches. A violent struggle followed on the entire front, and the Russians gradually fell back on Prago, a suburb cast of Warsaw. Warsaw suffered little from the bombardment. The fir c t general entering was immediately appointed Governor. The ” Berliner Tagablatt ” says that when the main flight from Warsaw ended ghastly silence reigned, broken only by the thunder of the cannon. Many streets were barricaded, and only Red Cross sisters and members of the civic guard were to be seen. Above was heard the steady hum of German aeroplanes. The fire brigade was hurrying to every quarter extinguishing fires.

Executions are daily conducted in the citadel, and the death sentences are placarded wholesale. lhe mob plundered empty houses ami factories. Secret police are busy in every corner.

Thousands of wagons piled with wounded, whose groans arc awful, quitted the city. The terror of the night was heightened by the bursting of star shells.

THE ENEMY’S VERSION.

Amsterdam, Aug. 9

The Austrian official message states:—We drove out the enemy from sex oral lines west of the Wieprz, and occupied Lubariow, on the Wieprz, 12 miles north oi Lublin. The enemy fled in disorder across the Wieprz after a. hand-to-hand fight. We took 6000 prisoners at Lubartow and Michow ' is miles north-west of Lublin), and also captured two guns and eleven machine guns. The Russians north-east of Ivangorod have begun to retreat nort h-eastwa rd.

“BOAST NOT THYSELF OF THE MORROW.”

Amsterdam, Aug. 9

The “ Kc.lnische Zeitnng ” says:—“We arc so sure of victor}' that we can shrug our shoulders at the enemy's fantastic' lies'. The Allies will neither succeed in taking the Dardanelles nor in forcing back the Germans on the east and west fronts. The Germans will not retire until the conclusion of diplomatic negotiations upon the fate of Belgium, Poland and the German colonies. German merchants will emerge as triumphantly as the soldiers, and the mercantile fleet will again sail proudly. There will be miserly la mentations in the enemies’ countries.'’

JOACHIM CLOTHED IN BRIEF AUTHORITY.

CROWNED KING OF LITHUANIA

(Received to, 10.25 a.m.) Rome, Aug. Q

Refugees from Lithuania state that the Germans arc distributing pamphlets at Kovno announcing the reunion of Russian and Prussian Lithuanias as an independent kingdom under the Kaiser’s son Joachim, whose portrait adorns ihe pamphlet.

ROBBER PRINCE SHARES THE LOOT.

A TRAGEDY AT SUWALKT

-Receixed 10, 1 <>.2} a.m.)

Petrograd, Aug. 9.

An eye-witness lias given sworn evidence nf Prince Joachim’s presence at the sacking of a big estate at. Suwalki. His share of the loot included a troika, team. Witness’ father was killed at Kalisk. his sister was tf.r.nred and succumbed, anil another sister was abducted.

TERRIBLE GERMAN BRUTALITY.

BURNINGS ALIVE AND SWORD PRACTICE ON RUSSIAN

WOUNDED.

(Received JO, 5.30 a.m.) Petrograd, Aug. 9.

An Austrian prisoner describes terrible German brutality on the prisoners at Jaroslax . He said :—” I saw Germans ignite a barn in which there were nine Russians. When they attempted to escape they were beaten back with clubs to the accompaniment of German laughter. While crossing the San, troops blocked small pontoon bridges, a large partx - oi Russian prisoners arrived, and the German commander said, ” Throw' the Russian devils into the river,” and the order was carried out. Manx- hundreds were bavonetted before mv eyes.

“I saw a company of Austrian Uhlans under a German ofticer practising sword xvork on dead and xvounded Russians stuck in a swamp.”

DEARTH OF AUSTRIAN OFFICERS.

Received 10, 9 a.m.) Vienna, Aug. 9.

Extreme measures are being taken to recruit officers. A special course of instruction is given, which only lasts a month. Since the commencement of hostilities Austria has lost 46,000 officers, including 30 generals.

GERMAN PLANS ALTERED.

THROWN BACK FROM MITAU

'Received to, 10.35 a - m -) Petrograd, Aug. 9. Newspapers assume that the Germans are altering their plans on the eastern front, and are now aiming at Ossowice. They declare that the enemy’s operations towards Riga have cntirelv failed. The “ Novae Vremya ” states that the Germans were thrown back at Mitau, which explains their sudden attack on Kovno. Baltic papers imply that Mitau is now again in possession ot the Russians.

TO-DAY’S BERLIN BULLETIN.

GERMANS APPROACH THE KOVNO FORTRESS

lO, 1.40 p.m.,) * Amsterdam, Aug. 9

A Berlin communique states: —- The Germans have approached Kovno fortress, capturing 430 Russians. We have progressed towards the northern and western from of Lomza, after severe fighting, taking 1400 prisoners and capturing an armoured motor car. We have crossed the Ostrow-Wyszkow road. The enemy at some points were stubbornly resisting, but were repulsed. SLUMP FOLLOWS FLAC-WAVINC BOOM. VICTORY STILL FAR DISTANT. Rotterdam, Aug. 9. Keen disappointment followed Berlin’s flag-waving, owing to the absence of an announcement ol large captures of men and booty. The tone of the newspapers suddenly' changed, pointing out that Warsaw is not a decisive military achievement. The “ Vossis'lic Zeitung ” sax s the capitulation of Marsaw has brought them a great stride nearer peace, which, however, is still far distant. So fortress!, not even Pans, tan be regarded as the final object <>l military operations. Peace will only* follow the ruin of the enemies' armies. Hie conquered Vistula line will become the springboard lor the attainment ol this object. Like the capture ol Liege and Antwerp on the west front, the capture of War aXv and Ivangorod only clears awr.v fresh difficulties.