THE RUSSIAN PROGRESS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12430, 22 January 1915, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN PROGRESS.

Received January 22 at 1.15 a.m. I'etrograd, January 21. The offensive 011 the Lower Vistula is increasing. The country contains many hillocks, forests, and swamps. The Russians alomj the Mlawa-War-saw railwav reached Conopki, ten miles north of Ciechanow, worsting the German heavy artillery. The Germans are also entrenching at Biosjun, eleven miles north-east of Sierpc. and thence their line extends to the Vistula at Dobrzyn. The last German counterattack was defeated only ten miles from Wloclawck. London, January 21. I'etrograd reports that north of the Rawa two of the cricmys' attacks were checked by artillery, and the Germanswere compelled to fall back. The German offensive at the bridgehead at Nitkovitza was reoclled.

In Western Galicia, the enemy, having heavilv bombarded the Russ'nn position south of Radlow, setting fire to two villages, a compact force "reached the Russian wire entanglement, but was met by a withering fire, and suffered great" losses, so that it was forced to fall back. The Russians, successfully advancing in Bukovina. have occupied the village of Joahancscliti. _ SNIPERS CAUGHT. THEIR SNIPING DAYS OVER. London, January 20. A transport officer writes: "A lot of snipers were caught—fellows in plain c'othes, who get behind our lines and shoot from tree-tops and houses. Twelve were captured last week, some right behind our trenches. Their sniping days are over."

TIMES DEMANDS INFORMATION. THE FRENCH HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW. Received January 21, at S.o p.m. London. January 21. The Times in a leader says: —"We have str'cnglv expressed the- - opinion that the silence of 'the administration upon the unparalleled' efforts Britain is making in the present war on the Continent, is unjustifiably dangerous. The nation wants to know what the Government is doing to ensure the necessary reinforcements. Jf this desire is general bore, how much stronger must it bo. in France, whose pconlc. have suffered the horrors o? war. They long to hear more retarding the efforts England is making in the common,cause, and when they are likely to bear fruit in their deliverance." / • FAMINE IN BELCIUM. GERMAN RESTRICTIONS. Amsterdam, January 21. A German proclamation forbids the* population of Belgium to purpliase bread after the 2nd February. Househokl'%l must attend the Town Halls and receive vouchers according to the number in the family. FIGHTING IN SOUTH AFRICA. Received January 22, at 9 a.m. Capetown, January 21. As ihe result- of recent operations. Union forces hold the line of the Orange River. The enemy is in force in Union territory near the German border, where the enemy's advance has been checked. PORTUGUESE TROOPS FOR THE COLONIES. Lisbon. Jauuary 21- ■ Four thousand six hundred troops have been despatched to Angola.