NOTES ON THE CABLES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16718, 12 June 1916, Page 5

NOTES ON THE CABLES.

Bi Sheajpkil.

RUSSIAN PROSPECTS. On llie east front, tuo Russian advanco is pnw-c oding amazingly, tho mofot surprising le.ituro Uc-mg tlio tremendous recovery the Ru.sbi.ws have made in artillery power and tlio ripid stri&s they have made on a 90mile fiont north of TarnopoL On this front the J (u.s.i iajLs have driven m tho Austrian line to a depth of 40 miles, and havo taken the important town of Lutzk, while, in addition, J>ubno is eaid to have been evacuated by tho Auftnans. Fighting is proceeding at Movo Alexinietz, north of Tarnopol. With Dubrio in tlio Russian hands to tho north, and T.iraopol to tho south, the Austrians will bo in a salient position, and, owing lo the disorganised state of their lines between Lut/.k and Dubno, and tho r-ipidity o[ tho Russian advance, they must fall" back as rapidly as possible upon Brody. In one of tho messages from Petrograd there is a somewhat j&tonishing statement that the Russian vanguard is within 20 miles of Lomberg; but tho places mentioned as captured do not warrant any reliance being plaoed upon that assertion. There are only two regions from which tho Russian cavalry might thrust itself forward within 50 miles of Lemberg—those being south of Lutzk, in tho north of Lemberg, and from Tarnopol, to the east of that town. From the evidence embodied in tho captures that havo been made, and from tho fact that the Russians are across tho Styr, in the south of Polesia, it is plain that the Austrian line has been badly shattered along more than a 40-milo front in that region. In cavalry Ruae>a is perhaps tho strongest Power in the world, and the value of throwing forward tho cavalry to drive home a defeat is thoroughly appreciated by her commanders. It is just possible, therefore, that tho rout of the Austrians north of Galicia is much greater than yet appears.

Along the Strypa down to the Rumanian frontier there has been continuous fighting, which has been very severe in the neighbourhood of Buczacz. Apparently it is the Russian purpose to attack the Austrians along this front in order to prevent forces from being detached for the purpose of reinforcing their hard-pressed comrades north-oast of Lemberg. The pressure is great, but it will not be the object of General Brussilof to waste his men in attacking the mountainous and hilly country south of Lemberg. He is driving in a wedge towards Konel and Vladimir Volynsk>, where the country is flat, and will afford his cavalry opportunities for keeping tho enemy on the move and for gathering up remnants of tho fugitives. When the Russians have advanced far enough to prevent the Germans from sending roinforcomcnts to strengthen the Austrians or attack tho Russian right flank, General Brussilof will swing his forces round to the south and attempt to drive the Austrians into Lemberg, and, if possible, invest that city.

North of the Pripet the Germans have been attacking at Smorgan and Krevo, their attacks being directed to the end of relieving the pressuro upon tho Austrians. The attacks were defeated. The Russians would have been waiting for these movements. No German attacks in those regions will obtain any great successes, as it is probable that "the Russians have been greatly reinforced in the regions of Molodetchnj. and Minsk, from the military centres of Smolensk and Gomel. From these two centres double lines of 'ailway converge on Minsk, whioh consequently offers great opportunities for taking up a second Russian offensive. If successfully carried out this would threaten Marshal von Hindenburg's position on the Dwina and absolutely upset any plans of the Germans for relieving the embarrassed Austrians.

The Russians are said to have derived from prisoners the information that tho German General Staff had' withdrawn at least three divisions from the eastern front, and it is ■suspected that two of these were sent to Verdun and one to the Trentino to swell the other force*} that wore being collected on those fronts. If these divisions are not returned, it would seem, from the great losses that the Austrians have suffered, the Russian belief being that between one-fourth and onethird of the enemy's effectives have been captured or destroyed, the offensive will be continuous. It will bo found, however, that the Germans, being unable greatly to weaken either tho western or the Dwina front, will endeavour to stop the Russians by heavily augmenting tho Austrian artillery forces. Luckily, tho eastern front is of q UC h an extent and of such a nature—level and, in a great measure, badly roaded—that it is possible to outflank strong artillcrj positions. Still there are parts of Galicia where artillery can bo effectively employed to oover a weakness in men; but thero is a limit to the employment of artillery, and, when the attacking forces are so numerous as the Russians are, and when their cavalry are so numerous, the overwhelming of the "defending lines with artillery may inconvenience tho Austrians and lead to great losses of men and material. On tho whole, tho prospects of the Russians are very bright.

THE ASIATIC CAMPAIGNS. Matteis are quietening in Asia Minor That is a neeesearv effect of the great offensives which are developing- in tho west of Russia. Tho Grand Duko is consolidating his positions, and when that task has been properly carried out further attempts will be made to advanco. There has been some fighting between Erzerron and Hush, and it h claimed that tho Turks ly\ e been defeated. The Turks iiavo been attempting to push in between Mamabatan and lake Vau and to put a wedge in between Erzerum and tho Russian forces at Mush and Bitlis. Ihoir intention is to teinvest or itcapture Erzerum, and then move southward upon tho Russians in the Vau districts, roll up the loft flank of tho Russians, and relieve Mosul and Bagdad from tho Russian threat, and especially provent the Russians from cutting tho Turkish communications between Diarbekir and Bagdad. At last d-efinite news has oomc to hand about the situation at Khmikm, just westward of the Persian border, on the loads from Kormanshah to Bagdad and MosuL r lhe Russians have, as was pointed out befoic General Townsiiend capitulated, found that tho Germans, having an ojo to the duiigtr of their bemg allowed through tho pasfe 5 , h.!\e sent men and guns to strengthen tho Tmkish positions at Khanikin. Tho Russian advance into the Tigris Valley, of which to much has been heard, has been by way of roads further north, and it i» now plain that the positions at Khamkin will havo to be foicul before the Britith, who aro hammering at tho Sunnaivat bottle ncck, will bo a bio to advance and effect a junction in forco with tho Russians. It is just possible tint the Russian cavalry which joined the British was sent to ask for artillery, as it was an easier matter for the Russians at Khanilcin to get artillery from tho British by way of the Sinister road than to procure it from Riusu THE ITALIANS. The successes of the Russians in Polesia, Eastern Volhynia, aud Galicia have greatly relieved tho pressure upon the Italians by tho Austrians from the Trentino. Evidently tho Ausl ro-Gerinans had visions of great conquests on the Italian plains after the Austrians had made themselves master of tho Asi.'.go Plateau on the Italian side of tho Lessme and Dolomito Alps. Four archdukes had gone to witness tho triumphal entry of tho Austrians into tho ancient city of Veiona Diree have hurried]} departed, their presence being required oil tho eastern front. The Italians were never periiaps in very great danger, but, compelled by the weight of tho Austrian artdlery to retire from fixed and exposed positions, were making a vary bad showing on paper.

At present tho frontal attack of the Atiotrians is held up in tbo Astico Valley and to tho northward 011 the Ani.ign which, cm tho whole, seems almost a pity, becauso every step the Austrians took forward ea* dungerad their forces, and gave the Italians a chance of capturing a huge number of ' men and guns. General Cadorna had the f men, and should have sufficient knowledge 1 of the Napoleonic campaign in Italy to assist his military genius. It may not be possible to again capture tbo peaces kst; tho aooumalation of Austrian artillery will mako that difficult; but it is possible to oat « the communications further north at In- * niche-r, north of Monte Croce, where the Italians are only five miles from tho only, railway that has direct commnioation with Vienna. By taking tho risks the Italian# could also aid this movement by pushing 1 through the Tofana passes, whero they hava already pushed forward a considerable dis- 1 tance, and where the difficulties are very 1 groat, but not •inattperaHe.