NEVER BE TAKEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15821, 19 January 1915, Page 8

NEVER BE TAKEN.

WARSAW A SAFE CITY.

BATTLE AMID THE SNOW.

A. Times correspondent with the Russians, after a visit to the positions at Bzura. says:—

" I believe I am not over-optimistic in expressing the opinion thai the German advance on Warsaw has reached highwater mark. It must be obvious to the enemy that the city will never be taken, despite all German efforts.

" The Russians held the Bzura line, whi?h increased their strength. Elaborate railway preparations had been made at Lodz for heavy movements of troops, and reports from Bzura indicate that the German attacks are now half-hearted and badly-concerted, and show utter lack of the former characteristics of impetuosity. "Worn, haggard, dirty, and dis-corn-aged, the appearance of" recently-taken prisoners is pitiable. The snow and cold have produced great misery among the elderly German reservists, who are unfitted to the exposure and the hardships of trench life in winter. Germany's Losses. " The Russians, on the contrary, are peasants used to a rigorous life, ignorant of luxuries, and possessing no knowledge of things Germans regard as essential comforts.

" The heavy Russian losses are pathetic, but they will not fundamentally affect the national life of the country, while each German attack involves tho "loss of artisans, tradesmen, and students, the cream of the middle class. The German strength cannot be made good for a generation.-

'• Frostbite and exposure caused a heavy list of ineffectives amongst the Russians in Poland, but the Germans have suffered doubly. A remarkable thaw set in and warm rains turned the roads into an unimaginable condition. The trenches were u>ep with melted snow.

"The Russian enthusiasm for the advance is increasing. I visited the trenches of the Russians on Christmas Eve. It was snowing heavily, and the absolute silence of the night was unbroken save for the crunch of the snow under the horses' hoofs, the metallic rumble of artillery, caissons and transports plodding forward. While we were extricating a horse and cart from a creek into which they had fuller, through the ice, darkness came over the scene. The distant boom of a German gun followed. Then there were others nearer. Batteries All Round. "The detonations of bursting shells and flashes right and left disclosed to our surprise the Russian batteries, which commenced to crash in response. "The stillness of the night was shattered with a terrific roar, which was intensified when the big guns a mile to our lear sent .shells screaming overhead '' The abandoned vehicle struggled across the stubble to within 1500 yds of the Russian lines Plainly visible- above it were the jagged flashes and incisive bursts of shrapnel. The crashing flashes and reverberations, the whining whistle and hoot of the Russian big shells, the constant rumble of rifle fire, and the sharp crack of machine guns, stood out in incredible contrast to the peacefulness of the night. "A few minutes before rockets had .shown faintly from the German positions through the heavy snowstorm. Our journey toward the trenches ended in snowdrifts, and wo were surrounded by Christmas trees laden with snow. Wounded Drifting Back. "We stumbled and shouted, and our shout was returned from the village. We found the wounded, wet and bloody, already drifting back. '" At midnight the firing lessened, and then gradually ceased, and quiet was restored on Christmas morning. Despite the noiso and confusion and intense tumult, the Russians are convinced that these attacks arc only half-hearted affairs intended to keep the Tsar's troops occupied. It would not surprise the latter to discover the main German line falling back, but raauv weeks of hard and bloody fighting must be expected before the last jeuunenla leave Poland. "-