RUSSIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CIII, Issue 15743, 30 August 1915, Page 7

RUSSIA.

CHANGE IN GERMAN PLANS Received 3.30 p.m., August 29th.

PETROGRAD, August 28

The German failure to land an army in the Gulf of Riga has necessitated a readjustment of the enemy's plans. All General von Bulow's infantry are being replaced by cavalry sent from Vilkomir for an offensive against Vilna from the north, while siege troops from lvovno are being advanced from the north-west and General Eichhorn is advancing from the west.

LOSS OF BREST LITOVSK. The general staff states that the Berlin report that Brest Litovsk fell after assault is inexact. It had been previously decided inexpedient to shut up a garrison of 100,000, consequently the most valuable materials were removed in good time. The forte on the left side of the Bug only resisted in order to allow of the army's retreat, eastward. When this was effected the fortifications and bridges wero destroyed, and the garrison rejoined the field arrnv.

BREST LITOVSK. LEFT TO THE ENEMY. Received 5.5 p.m., August 28th. AMSTERDAM, August 27

An Austrian communique states that the Russians at Brest Litovsk are in full retreat on both sides of the Minsk railway. They traversed and burned the town of Kamenez Litovsk.

GENERAL MACKENSSEN'S PLAN

A RUSSIAN INTERPRETATION

Received 7.25 p.m., August 28th. LONDON, August 27

Russian military experts ihink that General von Mackenssen has in view not merely Brest Litovsk but the encircling of the Russian troops who are operating in the fortress zone, which accounts for his persistence in hurling fresh troops north along the east bank of the Bug. RUSSIAN OFFICIAL REPORT. Received 4 p.m., August 29th. PETROGRAD, August 28. Communique.—A vigorous enemy offensive is proceeding in the Ja-cobstadt region (on the Dwina.) with obstinate fighting. Our retreat between the sources of the Bobr and Pripet continues under cover of rearguard actions. Wo stopped the enemy's energetic attempts at an offensive in the Bielostok region (half way between Bielsk and Grodno) inflicting heavy losses. We blew up the Brest Litovsk fortifications, the garrison rejoining the field army.

HUNNISHNESS MAKES REVOLTS. German severity in the Warsaw Government resulted in guerilla encounters with the peasants. VILNA NOT TO BE DEFENDED. THREAT TO PETROGRAD UNLIKELY.

GERMANS' TREMENDOUS GUN POWER.

The "Daily Telegraph's"' Petrograd correspondent says it is unlikely that any attempt will be made to hold Vilna, which is unfortified.

Unless the Germans capture Riga, they are unlikely to hazard an attempt on Petrograd, with the autumn approaching.

It is estimated that tho Germans on this front have two thousand guns, from eight to sixteen inches, consuming fifty train loads of shells every twentyfour hours.

COST OF OSSOWIEC

PETROGRAD, August 28.

Wounded from Ossowiec estimate that the siege cost the Germans five times the number of the garrison.

During night attacks large parties of Germans frequently eluded their officers and surrendered. The Germans fired about two million shells on the fortress, including two hundred thousand during four days.

GERMAN REPORT

AMSTERDAM, August 28

A Gorman communique states: We repulsed the enemy north-east of Bausk and Schoenberg (west of Jacobstadt) capturing two thousand Russians.

V e repulsed attacks between Radsiwilisckki and Swjadaszin. occupied the town of Narew. General Mackenssen's and Prince Leopold s groups are still advancing. The Allied troops broke through the enemy's positions on tha Zlota Lipa north and south of Brzezany (southeast of Lemberg). The enemy's counter attacks were repulsed with heavy losses. The Russians' lator abandoned their resistance and are retreating.

AUSTRIAN REPORT

AMSTERDAM, August 28

An Austrian communique states— Our troops stormed and captured the enemy s positions between Gologory and Dunajow, the Austro-Gcrmans capturing those near Brzczany. We took six thousand prisoners. There has been extensive fighting eastward of Vladimir Volynski (southern section). General Puhalls threw back the enemy towards Luzk. The Germans northwards of the Pripet marshes are approaching Kobrin. We ejected the enemy north and south of Kameniez Litovsk.

UNTRAINED RESERVISTS CALLED

PETROGRAD, August 28

A proclamation calls up untrained reservists of the first militia category between tho ages of 19 and 37 with the 1916 class, which is beginning training. Their number is between two and three million.

ENEMY PUSHING ON. BUT MEETING AVITH CHECKS Received 12.35 a.m., August 30th. PETROGRAD, August 29

A communique says: Tho situation in the Riga district is unchanged. There is stubborn fighting in the Friednichstadt region, the enemy attempting to force tho lines towards the Mi tar railway. Our counter attacks checked the enemy's offensive towards Vilna. We continued to retreat on the middle Niemcn and on the front between the Bobr and Pripet, holding the enemy s offensive by fighting. The enemy's advance is most marked in the Beiloviish forest and the roads to Kobrin.

The enemy began an offensive near Lidunir, Jolynski and Torchin, westward of Stz' and Lokatche on the Luga, and at Politzk.

Ihe enemy has secured a footing westward of on the left bank of the Zlota Lipa.