THE CAMPAIGNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17192, 12 June 1916, Page 6

THE CAMPAIGNS.

Taking Petrograd and Vienna reports (together, we can now trace the Russian offensive along almost the whole front from Rafalovka, on the lower Styr, to Czernowitz and. the Rumanian border. The Austrians report that tho Russians have been endeavouring to push forward from the Styr at C'hartorusk and Kolki, and from the absence of Russian reports on these sectors we may assumo that no substantial progress is at present being made. In the Lutsk region, however, tho advance has been pushed very rapidly and fighting is proceeding west of the Styr, against German and Austrian forces. The Germans ar© said to have moved divisions from further north to strengthen the broken line, but the breach is so wide and the Austrians have lost so heavily that w© may hope for further Russian progress. The position on the Ikwa is doubtful, but it is stated unofficially the Dubno is in Russian hand's, and it is difficult to believe that the enemy's front on this sector has not been withdrawn in sympathy with the movement immediately to the north The Austrian claim, however, to bo offering a stubborn resistance on the sector of Novo Aleksinetz and north-west of Tarnopol. On, the upper Strypa no material change is reported but the Russians are across the river Wow Bu««a

and aro developing their advance to the Zlota Lipa. South of the Dniester there is a hot battlo on the OknaDobronoutz sector. The Russians indicate that their opportunity for this successful offensivo was afforded* by the withdrawal of German divisions for "Verdun aud of Austrian divisions to support the Trentino offensivo. So far our Allies have captured nearly a hundred guns and have taken over 72,000 prisoners. Tho Germans are attempting a diversion on tho northern sectors.

Tho influenco of tho movements in Volhynia and' Galicia has been felt, as was to be expected, on the Italian front, and General Cadorna has opened a very vigorous counter-offensive. Austrian reports claim that, the invasion of northern Italy is progressing, but we have a later Italian communique which indicates that the enemy's advance has been met and checked and that heavy losses have been inflicted on his wings. Moreover, the Italians themselves are now making progress, perhaps not very great at any point but on a wide front. Around Verdun the position has undergone no further change of moment, though the Germans claim to have captured a field work west of Fort Vaux. On the British front there has been a heavy reciprocal bombardment, and we are tempted' to believe that, in sympathy with the activity elsewhere, there will be vigorous developments in Picardy, Artois and Flaudors. A message from tho French President states that the Russian offensive was undertaken as part of an Allied plain, emphasising the unity of tho Allied campaigns, and although tho obvious association is between Russia, and Italy just now we may be sure that the Western Allies will co-operate at the moment when the situation d'emands it. From the other theatres the news is of minor importance. There has been no change in the Balkans. In East Africa General Smuts' campaign is progressing steadily. In Asia Minor the Russians, after suffering a check in the centre at Mamakhatun, are now advancing their right wing, in the region south of Trebizond.