EASTERN THEATRE

Southland Times, Issue 17501, 16 August 1915, Page 5

EASTERN THEATRE

Eirßary held in cbgecic THE WITHDRAWAL FROM WARSAW A MODEL TOR THE TEXT . BOOKS. (By Telegraph. —Press Assn. —Copyright) I.OMKI.N', August M. The .Morning Post's IVtrograd correspondent .stales tliat the Germans appear to lie definitely lielrl in check. The Uu.s--sian.s arc in full command of the situation. The manajem.ent of the Russian retreat from the Warsaw will probably provide a. model for future text-books on the ait of war. It is daily becoming Plainer that the Germans arc finding themselves short of the men necessary for attempting to carry their victory fill or 100 mill's deeper into Russia’s vast spaces. The Russian line now runs roughly from bomza to Vlodava, with a convex face towards the enemy. The enemy is astride the railway from Warsaw near Malkin, but it .steadily held off further from the railway the further north It runs. On the whole tho German progress suggests that the enemy w ill prossihly find tho .Russian winter on him before tie succeeds in reaching a satisfactory defensive line, and is able to free his real lighting forces for the western front. WORST 01* TEE STORM OVER WITHDRAWAL FROM WARSAW COMPLETE POSITION STRATEGICALLY STRONGER I.OXDOk, August 14. Received Aug. in, 11 p.m. The Daily Telegraph’s Petrograd correspondent says that tho worst fury of the storm Is over. Fears for the garrison of Warsaw were superfluous. It is authoritatively -announced that the evacuation was carried out with astonishing fidelitv to programme. Tho troops who retired are eastwards of Aferihan and Lomza. The position strategically is daily becoming stronger and more favourable. The most interesting development occurred between the Dvina and the Niemen. By capturing the village of Tovi;my, tho Russians cut the German line separating Poneviesh and "Wilkomir. The

enemy’s troops at tho latter position are dangerously situated, and it is believed that they are hurriedly retreating, either to reconnect with tho Poneviesh troops or to join the enemy’s troops against Kovno. The operations against Kovno arc extending. Many Polos are employed constructing the siege-lines and prepa.ring platforms for the enemy’s 42eentimetres and other heavy guns, hut Kovno is not yet snroundod, and the Russian armies are intact and free to manoeuvre. THE ENEMY’S OBJECTIVE POSSIBLE BASH ON PETROGKAD GERMANS TWO MONTHS LATE LONDO.Y, August 14. Received Aug. 15, 3.40 p.m. The Spectator says that tho Gorman left flank is only 300 miles from Retrograd, and it now appears possible that the operations in the north (Baltic Provinces) do not form part of a vast enveloping movement, hut are the beginning of an attempt to siezo Polrograd by. a sudden dasli along tho coast road, to where the fleet can contribute by its local command of the sea. The plan is formidable enough, but the Germans are mistaken if they suppose that the seizure of Pctrograd will paralyse Russia. Moreover, tho Germans are already two months Into and Riga and Kovno are not yet captured. VON MACKENSEN’S RAPID THRUST CRITICAL POSITION POR RUSSIANS SAVED BY PROMPT ACTION “ONE OP THE MOST GLORIOUS EPISODES LONDON, August 14. The Daily Mail’s correspondent at Pedrograd says that it now transpires that General von Mackensen’s effort to break the Russian line on the Bug nearly succeeded in cutting off large Russian forces. Von Mackensen forced his way to Vlodava regardless of tho cost in lives and tho Russian position became precarious. General Alexieff realised the situation, and rushed forward all available troops and guns with orders that Vlodava must bo re-taken. The troops obeyed magnificently retook the town and drove the enemy back 20 miles in throe days. They are still holding him. This irresistible wave of Russian bravery must be accounted one of the most glorious episodes of the war.

REPORTED NAVAL ACTION

ENT TEE BALTIC Success of tee rttssians ® • LONDON, August 14. Reuter’s correspondent says that it is unofficially reported in Petrograd that a naval battle was fought near Ossel on 12th August. A largo German cruiser was destroyed and several warships were damaged severely. It is surmised that the enemy’s purpose was to bottle up the Russian fleet in the Gulf of Finland and Bothnia. THE REPORTED BALTIC ACTION GE&UAKY DISCOUNTS IT AMSTERDAM. August t. r >. Received August 15. midnight. A. telegram from Berlin states that, merely outpost fighting occurred at Oosel, between destroyers. Tlie Russians, being successfully shelled, hastily retreated. POLITICAL PBISOKEKS LIBERATED AMSTERDAM, August 14. It is reported that tlie Gormans liberated all political prisoners at Warsaw at the request of a committee of citizens. BERLIN COMMUNIQUE NEW BATTLE DEVELOPING STRONG RUSSIAN RESISTANCE AMSTERDAM, August 14. A Berlin official message states; —A new battle is developing in which von Hindonburg’s armies are engaged in the North Niemen district. Before, Kovno we look the fortified forest of Dominkanka taking 3CO prisoners. Between Narew and the Bug wc reached Slina, where the enemy is resisting. Wo stormed a strong advanced position north of Novo Georgievsk, N.W. of Warsaw, on the Vistula, capturing ISOO men, and four machine guns. AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL REPORT. ROME, August 15. Received August 15, midnight. An Austrian official message states: The Austro-Hungarians arc advancing on both sides of tho Lukow-Brest-Litowsk railway, and have reached Hie sector south-west of Medzyrecza. The Gormans conquered the Wisznicc district and crossed tho Vlodava district. ENEMY’S AVIATORS ACTIVE. CIVILIANS KILLED. PETROGRAD, August 15. Received August 15, midnight. Taubos and Zeppelins daily visit MelKin. Many civilians have been killed. AUSTRIA'S PETROL SUPPLIES. VIENNA TAXICABS CEASE RUNNING AMSTERDAM, August 15. Gasoline is exhausted at, Vienna ami taxicabs have ceased running.