THE RUSSIAN GAINS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 14049, 20 July 1916, Page 3

THE RUSSIAN GAINS.

OPENING- THE WAY TO LEMBERG. GENERAL RETREAT OF ENEMY. RIGA SECTOR NOW ORGANISED SOLELY FOR DEFENCE, EFFECT OF BRITISH SUCCESS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) PETROGRAD, July 19. A communique reports that General Sakharoff captured 30 guns in the Volhynia battle on the 16th, and the whole of tho Lower Lipa was cleared of the enemy, who were repulsed beyond Zwiniacke, Krassow and Riven. (The Times.) LONDON, July 19. M. Marcel Hutin claims that the last serious obstacles in General Sakha-roff's march on Lemberg were overcome in Sunday's victory, which resulted in a , gain of 31 miles against the German ; troops. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 17. The Daily Telegraph's Rome correspondent has received a highly significant Petrdgrad telegram, announcing that a, general retreat on the -East front has commenced. The Austro-Gennans are retiring and laying waste the country and burning the villages. The telegram is one of many indications that Sir Douglas Haig's offensive , has aroused the first tears of the German general staff, and suggested the possibility that they must revert to a purely defensive war in order to secure tolerable terms, of peace. General Hindenb.irg has already been summoned to the West front to discuss the situation with the Kaiser and General von Falkenhayn It is understood that General Hindenburg has been given complete control of the East front, including the Ausi trian. General Hindenburgs appointment was essential to carrying out the shortening of the East front, which is i already in progress. Russian experts point out that General Hindenburg's sector in the Riga district is now organised for a solely defensive warfare. Jt consists of concrete trenches and ten to twelve lines ; of wire defences, near which mines are laid. | .The Germans '...aire still .building a ; series of field railways connected with , Mitau, Windau and other railway • organisations. General Hindenburg's rear represents ■ the last word of military. science as regards rapid transference of troops anil supply of munitions and -food.