Russia v. Austria.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 18, 8 September 1914, Page 5

Russia v. Austria.

AUSTRIANS IN A TRAP.

DARING SECRET STRATEGY OF THE RUSSIANS. [By EIBOIBIO TeLEGHAPU —OoPTWGHTj [United Press Association.] Petrograd, September 7. The Russians’ victory at Lemberg was the culmination of daring secret strategy. Russia allowed the Austrians to advance in the direction of Lubin and Khohn. Meanwhile, two Russian armies, starting from the frontier at points 400 miles apart, were couvergihg on Lemberg, the northern from Poland, tire eastern from Podolia and Bessarabia. in the latter region the Austrians entrusted the defence to strong bodies of troops and fortified camps. The Austrians continued to concentrate on the Russian right flank, believing they had discovered an opening. They only saw the, trap when the combined Russian armies reached Gnilalipa. It was then too late. The Austrian defeat between Lublin and Kholm has placed the main army in a critical position, and has now been forced to retire southwards, with grave danger of its being cut off by the victorious army from Lemberg. The Russians threaten it on three sides, and extensive marshes' impede the retreat on the fourth side, between the San and the Vistula.

Russians between the \ iatula and the Bug rivers have captured, since August 28, three flags, 20 guns, 18 machine-guns, 160 officers, and 12,000 soldiers, and made 70,000 prisoners in the direction of Lemberg alone. They also captured 300 guns, 80 locomotives, 150 trucks, and numerous convoys of supplies, besides the 12 months’ provisions seized at Lemberg.

The Czech soldiers refused to march against the Slavs. The Russians attacked a German division that was marching to the Austrians’ help on the loft flank ol the Vistula.

The Russians have occupied the district around Stryi, a town to the eastward of the Carpathian mountains, which separate Galicia from Hungary.

It is officially reported that the Russians on Friday continued their energetic offensive operations, along the whole Austrian line. The enemy’s centre suffered most. The 46th regiment of infantry was surrounded to the westward of Krasnostaw, and surrendered to a man, with its commander, 54 officers, and 1000 soldiers. The Russian cavalry is operating amongst the pusses in the Carpathian mountains.

THE FIGHT AT LEMBERG.

(Received 8.0 a.m.) London, September 7

German accounts state that the impression produced on the Austrians round Lemberg was that the Russians were simply springing out of the earth without interruption.

THE CAPTURE OF HALICZ.

Petrograd, September 7

The Halicz defences consisted of ten infantry redoubts and six battery emplacements on one side of the Gnestalip, and six redoubts and six emplacements on the other side. The works were held by 10,000 men, but the Russians quickly carried the positions. AUSTRIAN ACTION IN SOUTHERN RUSSIA. Petrograd, September 6. A Red Cross doctor states that an Austrian general demanded ‘200,000 I roubles from Kamenetz, in Podolia, otherwise the provincial head of the town would be hanged and the town destroyed. Ho declared that the citizens had fired after hoisting the white flag. As the bankers and th« wealthiest of the populace bad left, only 6000 roubles were raised by sacrificing the jewelled crucifixes and church plate. One colonel, however, returned the levy. He said the military council had overruled the general, who was wounded upon entering the town and wanted to imitate the Prussians.

FIGHTING CONTINUES SOUTHWEST OF LEMBERG.

Rome, September 7

The Austrian fight south-west of Lemberg continues. It is reported that a whole detachment asked to ho taken prisoners owing to the privations and the officers’ vigor making life impossible. Official reports state that the Russians are gradually surrounding Przemysl.