Northern Advocate Daily WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE Northern Mail Daily. SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1915. THE PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Northern Advocate, 21 August 1915, Page 2

Northern Advocate Daily WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE Northern Mail Daily.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1915. THE PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

REGISTERED FOB TRANSMISSION THKODGfI THE POST A3 A NEWSPAPER

The Germans have followed up rhe occupation of Warsaw by the ..-apt ure of Kovno, Although this additional enemy success will

."■ause keen disappointment it has 4 not come as a surprise; The German offensive never .slackened for

j single hour. Immense numbers of troops were concentrated in front of the fortifications, and and investment commenced in a way which showed the determination of the enemy to crush all resistance. On Saturday last the cables told us that every available gun was being hurried into action and infantry attacks showed an utter disregard for the sacrifice of life. The Russians early in the week were fighting gamely, and they appeared confident of. being able to hold out, but it is dear that the force Germany was able to bring to bear beat down all opposition. Details of the fighting have not yet reached us, ,but it is safe to believe that the superior gun-power of the enemy has made it impossible to hold the town, hence the Russians have again fallen back. Though forced to quit Kovno it does -not necessarily follow that the Russians..are seriously broken for if we can heed the cables on Tuesday last they had been successful, while holding out at Kovno, in re-grouping their forces' along the. entire front, and had gained eon-' ! siderably in strategic, strength. It is clear also that the Germans \ have found the fighting increasing in violence .as the new line of Russian defence is approached. Fighting has been heavy during the week around Npvq Georgievsk and the fall of this position is not unexpected. Every day the Germans are held up, however, increases their danger. They are getting further away from their base of supplies and the Russian winter is approaching. It Is idle to attempt to gloss over the Russian defeats. They are not. retreating and sacrificing cities and fortresses because it is part of a strategic plan, They are being driven back by a superior fighting power and it is just as well to admit the fact. , The possibility, of future strategic advantage only comes in as a saving clause, ft is quite possible that the Germans will be drawn on at tremendous sacrifice until ' Russia is

strong enough to hit back effectively, but the week's operations in the East have certainly ended up in favour of the enemy. The Russian people, however, have not lost confidence and their resistance is characterised by bravery and determination.

L\s we go to , press (lie fall of Xovo Georgicvsk is .reported. Exelnsive of the last t'Syo days' lighting the Germans lost 120.000 men at Kovno. DurinsV the last stages of the fight the, slaughter was appalling.! f

Another quiet, week has passed upon the Western front. It is difficult to understand the lull in tne storm unless it sei'ves\the purpose of both parties 1:6 m.irk time for the present. It is hard to be-

lieve that the Allies would let week after week pass by without a big concentrated effort unless it paid better to : remain quiet. Perhaps, while Germany is beating out her strength upon the Eastern front the Allies in the West are building up their supplies and increasing the 'fighting strength of their forces. Let us hope this i's the reason for inactivity in that quarter. Aircraft have continued their- activity, and it is unpleasant' , to know that Zeppelins have again dropped bombs in England, having this time, gone as far as London. The enemy pirates have been particularly active. The toll taken of the merchant vessels this week has been very heavy. The pirates appear to be gaining in audacity and Danish

and Norwegian vessels have been very badly treated. Yesterday i news reached us of another brutal attack upon a big ocean liner. The vessel was torpedoed and sank in eleven minutes, but at the time of writing it is not known how many lives Ifave been lost. Two other liners were also sent "to the bottom. The saddest event of the week, however, was the sinking of the transport Royal Edward and the loss of about 1000 lives. It was a severe blow, but Britain has born it bravely knowing that in this case the enemy has not gone outside the rules of the game. It was the fortune of war and we accept it as such without lamentation, however keen may be our sorrow. ' :

The Italians have been making steady progress, though no very decisive action has been fought. It is almost impossible to look for a rapid, advance on this front owing to the difficulty of the. country. It is no light task.to effectively attack an enemy entrenched in the natural fortifications of the mountains, but the Alpine soldiery have performed some really wonderful feats. Actions have been fought, thousands of feet up amongst the glaciers with considerable success, but nothing more than local victories have been reported. In fact it is difficult to place any reliance upon news from this front. It has been most unsatisfactory ever since hostilities opened.

Reports from Gallipoli haye not been very full during the week. Following upon the announcement of a new landing colonial casualties began to filter through, and we now learn thai a strong offensive movement, was attempted. Turkish reinforcements began to arrive'and .the Allies thought i! wise to move before the enemy gained any additional strength, but unfortunately the attack was not quite so successful as could have been desired. General Hamilton says the casualties have been heavy on both sides and the strength of the enemy enabled them to check our advance. Nevertheless we have gained some ground and consolidated the new positions. The shortage of ammunition is being overcome in Turkey, apparently, as Krupps factory is turning out 2000 shells daily. There is not much news about the new landing but it does not appear to have been an unqualified success.

Considerable indignation has been caused in America owing to the revelations of German intrigue. The press has spoken with extraordinary unanimity against the German deceit and satisfaction is demanded. The Emperor Francis Joseph is . reported to be seriously ill and fears are entertained as to his recovery. Considering his great age such anxiety is not unjustified. It is not likely that his death would affect the war in any way.