THE RUSSIAN HAMMER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16296, 1 February 1915, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN HAMMER

FRANZ JOSEF WISHES TO ABDICATE. DISAGREEMENT WITH THE KAISER. LONDON, January 29. Reports received in Switzerland from Innsbruck (in the Tyrol) declare that Franz Josef is arranging to abdicate from the throne of Austria-Hungary, as he is unable to agree with the views of the Kaiser Tegaraing military affairs and his attitude towards peace negotiations. He decided to adopt this course as a result of the visit to Berlin of the Austrian heirapparent, and because he is desirous of leaving his successor with a free hand. AUSTRO-GEEMAN MOVEMENT. ATTEMPT TO REACH PRZEMYSL. PETROGRAD, January 29. An Austro-German movement is developing along the Dukla-Wyszkow front, approximately 100 miles in length. Columns are trying to cros3 the mountains by numerous passes, presumably with l'rzemysl as the objective. RUSSIAN OFFICIAL REPORT. SUCCESSES CHRONICLED. PETROGRAD, January 29. A communique states : We repulsed the Germans north of Tilsit and have destroyed the Pogegen railway station. We are advancing in the districts of Pilkallen and Gumbimien.

The Russian artillery silenced several batteries, and inflicted great losses on the enemy in the trenches on the left bank of the Vistula.

The fighting from the Dukla Pass to Stryg and Munkacs on Tuesday and Wednesday was in our favour, especially southwest of Dukla, where the enemy retreated, abandoning their ammunition.

SMALLPOX IN VIENNA. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 29. There are 600 eases of smallpox in Vienna.

THE BOMBING OF LIBAU. AMSTERDAM, January 30. (Received Jan. 31, at 3 p.m.) Berlin reports that it was a Parsevai and not a Zeppelin that attacked Libau. Its non-return is admitted.

RUSSIAN SUCCESSES,

IN EASTERN PRUSSIA AND THE CARPATHIANS.

PETROGRAD, January 30. (Received Jan. 31, at 3.5 p.m.)

Official : Fighting continues in the forest northwards of Pilkallet and Gumbinnen. The German attacks in the Borjimoff district were repulsed with heavy loss. Progress at Dukla has been maintained, despite desperate Austrian resistance, except at the Beskid Pass, where the Russian advance guard fell back. The Russians during the past three days have captured in this region 60 officers, 2400 soldiers, three guns, and 10 machine guns.

AUSTRIAN GRAIN MONOPOLY. VENICE, January 30. (Received Jan. 31, at 3.15 p.m.)

The Austrian Government has decided to organise a grain monopoly similar to that iu Germany.

IN' THK CARPATHIANS

AUSTRIAN'S CLAIM A VI(TORY

VIENNA, January 30, (Received Feb. 1, fit o.2ft ii.ni.)

Official: Am a result of , r i week's vigorous battles in the Carpathians, we. have reconquered and possess, despito snow dilliculties, the ground. YVe took 10,000 Russian prisoners.

STARVATION AT LODZ. GERMANS COMMANDEER PROVISIONS. COPENHAGEN, January 30. (Received Feb. 1, at 0.25 a.m.) A Lodz refugee states that the Germans have confiscated enormous supplies of provisions. No bread or potatoes arc to bo had by civilians, who are on the point of starvation, and eating cats and dogs.