The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1915. FALL OF LEMBERG.

Waikato Times, Volume 84, Issue 13208, 25 June 1915, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1915. FALL OF LEMBERG.

That the recapture of Lemberg should cause considerable rejoicings throughout Germany and Austria is natural, and that there should be corresponding dejection in the Allied camp is readily understood. Whether there is ample ground for such rejoicing and dejection is another matter. When the French Army reached Moscow in September, 1812, it was greatly elated at its mighty achievement, and no doubt there were many downcast hearts in Russia and elsewhere when it was known that the magnificent city had fallen into the hands of the enemy. Events, however, proved that the abandonment and destruction of the city was the first torch placed at the foundations of Napoleon's Empire, and the strategy which prompted the step has been unanimously belauded throughout the century. The knell of Bonaparte's greatness was sounded on the day of his apparently greatest achievement. Might not history repeat itself? When the Russians entered Lemberg in September 4, 1914, after a sevendays' battle it was thought that an advance on Berlin and Vienna had been auspiciously commenced. At other points, however, the Russians were forced baclt, towns and positions were abandoned which had cost many lives to take, and fear was sometimes expressed that our Northern Ally was not equal to the task set it. At these times messages from Petrograd advised us not to lose faith in the Russian tactics—that despite seeming set backs all was going

well, ai:d that the desired end would ultimately be attained. The advance in Galicia seemed the one bright spot. From Lemberg to TYozemysl the Russian battered their way, and they iorced the passages of the Carpathians. Then their difficulties were increased many fold. The enemy had the advantage of their magnificent system of strategic railways, which enabled General von Hindenberg to rush men to any threatened spot with marvellous speed, and to take the invaders at a great disadvantage. Stubbornly the Russians fought, but commenced to fall back. Przemysl, which had capitulated on March 22nd after a siege of six months with 119,602 prisoners besides immense quantities of other booty, was abandoned after being denuded of all warlike stores. Now a similar thing has occurred at Lemberg,* it having passed back to the Austro-Germans without being seriously defended, and the Russians are still falling back, unbeaten and unbroken, it is true, towards the frontier, ft seems that all the energy and blood expended in the advance into Galicia during the last ten months has been fruitless; but we are still assured from Petrograd that all is well, and that when the proper time comes Russia can I'e depended upon to strike with all her strength at.the proper spot. When the war opened it was announced that the aim of the' Russians would be to light i n their own territory, as it was recognised that to fight on German soil would be to give the enemy all the advantages, and this may be the reason of the retreat in Galicia. Mr Stephen Graham, the" well-known author, wins is well acquainted with Russia and all things Russian, wrote last September: 'The Russians cannot do much on German soil. Directly they l>ogm to do so they will be up against German science, German railways, and German technical superiority. They have a much harder task than the Frerch and English on the other side. When bnce the bonds of the Germanr. are forced on the West Russia will follow heavily on the E.-i." Tf Rr.ssia has a hard task, Germany has a harder one, for a writer in a current review points out to "'invade Tsardom is like trying to push a ' ole in a balloon with one's finger; it bulges in the side and that is all." Tim Germans may push the Russians long and far, but the instant they relax the pressure they will be pressed back themselves, and Russia has the greater .-laying power. The fall of Lemberg, while regrettable from many standpoints, is after nil but an incident, and can have no vital effect on the result of the war. The confidence of the Allies in the Russians will not be in the impaired despite the rejoicings in Berlin ?nd Vienrn, and the mutual congratulations of Kaiser, Emperor, and Sultan.