EASTERN FRONT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16793, 22 February 1915, Page 7

EASTERN FRONT.

GREAT ATTACK PREPARING. A SEVEN HUNDRED MILE BATTLE LINE. ANGLO-FRENCH FLEET BOMBARDS DARDANELLES FORTS. GERMANS LOSE HEAVILY IN FRUITLESS ATTACKS ON ALLIES. MERCHANTMEN TORPEDOED BY SUBMARINES. GERMAN ATTACK AT YPRES. PARIS, February 20.—Important German forces attaoked the Allied trenches east of Ypres. After an intense bombardment they charged with the bayonet but were repulsed with very high losses. Prisoners state that during the week an entire battalion was annihilated in the Champagne district. BATTUE OF THE LAKES. AMSTERDAM, February 20.—An official German report states that the Russian defeat in the Masurian Lakes region was severe and it Is doubtful whether much remains of five army corps. The Russians, too, have cleared out of Bukowlna. Ail this together with the result of operations in the waters round Britain inspires confidence in Cermany. THE RUSSIAN DEFEAT. PETROCRAD, February 20.—An official report states that the Russians are gradually retiring from Augustovo. They captured a height north of VoliamikhofT and a battalion captured a fortification at Zavodak, killing all the defenders. Massed counter-attacks by the Germans were repulsed with great losses. Sanguinary fighting continues in the Wyszkow region, 'where the Russians captured two thousand prisoners in two days. POSITION IN BUKOWINA. PETROCRAD, February 20.-*A pomnusnlque referring to Austrian official messages claiming to ftsute captured twenty-nine thousand Russians in Bukowlna states Skat the Russian effective strength In that district did not amount to twelvo thousand men and the total loss in killed, wounded and prisoners was 1014. German losses on the Russian front during February number two hundred thousand. STRUGGLE IN THE EAST. LONDON, February 20.—The Petrograd correspondent of the "Morning Post" states that the Germans aro preparing to attack along the whole of a huge front of seven hundred miles. They have developed enormous power and the attempt is eloquent of long years of preparation. The Czar's armies will continue slaying the greatest possible number of the enemy in the cheapest way, patiently waiting for the time when an advance upon the Germans at home oan be made profitably. GERMAN SUBMARINES ACTIVE. LONDON, February 20.—The steamejr Cambank laden with copper for Liverpool was torpedoed without warning and sunk by a German submarine off Holyhead. Four lives were lost. The Norwegian oil steamer Belridge, bound for Amsterdam, was damaged by a torpedo. BOMBARDMENT OF BELGRADE. LONDON, February 20.—1 tis reported that the Austrians are heavily bombarding Belgrade. Many of the inhabitants have been killed. The Servians replied by bombarding Semiln. They also forced an Austrian monitor to retire. LAST GERMAN LINE. PARIS, February 20—It is officially reported that Cermany has called up men of from 50 to 52 years of age. DARDANELLES FORTS BOMBARDED. LONDON, February 20.—The Admiralty reports that a strong Allied battleship squadron bombarded the Dardanelles on Friday and Saturday and silenced the forts on the European side. FOOD NOT ABSOLUTE CONTRABAND. LONDON, February 20.—Sir Edward Grey In his Note states that the Government trusts that if Britain declares food absolute contraband or otherwise takes reprisals neutrals will not appeal to International usages as long as they cannot compel Cermany to abandon illegal and inhuman practices.