THE EASTERN THEATRE.

Mataura Ensign, 4 July 1917, Page 5

THE EASTERN THEATRE.

I THE RUSSIArToFFENSIVE. 10,264 PRISONERS TAKEN. LONDON,, July 3. A Russian official message states: After two days' artillery activity we attacked on the Konuikhy-Byshki front, and occupied three lines of trenches. We took the fortified village of Renin khy and advanced as far as tvoiuchystre, southward of the village. The prisoners counted so far number 8504. .We also took seven guns. We attacked south-westward ofßrssezany, and occupied strongly-fortified positions, which constantly changed hands owing to German and Turkish counter-attacks. W r c captured on this front yesterday nine officers arid 1700 men, the Turks retreating to Pendjvin. Our pursuing cavalry occupied Engdja, northward of Lake Deri bar. We also occupied Kalamirivaii, south-westward of Lake. Deribar, and the villages in the neighborhood. A SHREWD STROKE. EFFECT ON OTHER FRONTS.

LONDON, July 3. Koniukhy is 30 miles south of tin Lemberg-Brody railway and eight mile; north-east of the Brzezany district where the floods in the Dniester and the surrounding marshland stopped tin Russian advance in 1916. Genera Brhsiloff's stroke was evidently t shrewd one, as the enemy already admits the loss of Koniukhy. The effect should quickly be felt on the French and Italian fronts. THE GERMAN OLIVE BRANCH. DECLINED BY THE RUSSIANS.

PETROGRAD, July 2. Though the enemy is bombarding our first lines, small detachments at night conic to our entanglements, attempting to deliver peace pamphlets and make presents of wine and brandy, which the Russians reject. ENEMY'S NAVAL OFFENSIVE. IN THE GULF OF RIGA. PETROGRAD, .inly 2. German deserters state that naval operations on a grand scale arc being prepared in the Gulf of Riga. Troops ironi oilier fronts are concentrating, and formidable trenches and armored j works are being constructed. i Field-Marshal von Hihdenburg (Chief of the German General Staff) and General von Ludendorff (second in command) were expected to inspect the,preparations for a big attack on the Riga front on July 1. M. KERENSKY LEADS VICTORS. NEW YORK, July 3. A . despatch from Petrograd states that M. Kerensky (Minister for War) personally led the victorious Russians to victory. ! GERMAN ADMISSION. LONDON, July 3. A German report states:—There has "been heavy fighting between the Upper Strypa and the east bank of the Narajovka. Russian pressure was directed against the Koniukhy sector. After two days' strong artillery activity the enemy captured Koniuchy.

AUSTRIAN EXPLANATION. AMSTERDAM., July 3. The despatch of the Austrian war correspondent at Headquarters, explaining the Russians' success, states that trie otteusive was prepared on comprehensive lines .and with ah unprecedented' concentration of artillery. The attacks were made by well-trained troops of high morale. GERMAN HOPES DISAPPOINTED. LONDON, July X. M. Marcel Hutiu in the 'Matin' (Paris) points out that at the very moment von Hindeuhurg and von Ludendorff were visiting Headquarters and were endeavoring to arrange the marked differences dividing the. two Kaisers they were obliged announce a big Russian offensive, warning the Germans that there was no longer a probability of a glorious peace as the result of Russian defection.