South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-10-03
Advance Guards of Germans
Meet Cars Army in Heavy
SkirmiSheS North of ViStuIa
in Government of KieICe.
STRUGGLE IS CARR ED
ON IN FIERCE STORM
Terrific Rain Floods LoWIandS
Making Roads ImpaSSable-
AuStrianS Put up Magnificent
Defense Against Russians.
BY FRANCIS LAvELLE MURRAY.

BY FRANCIS LAVELLE MURRAY.
PETROGRAD Oct 3.-The long
expected battle between the German
and Russian armies in western Russia
Poland is on, according to reports re-
ceived from the front today. The ad-
vance guards OF the two armies are
in contact in the government of
Kielce, north OF the Vistula, and
heavy skirmishing has already taken
place.
The German army is reported to
number 500, 900 men along the curved
front extending from Thorn to era
cow. In addition they are supported
by at least 800, 600 Austrians, who
form the right wing Of the allies
forces. The Russians are believed to
number at least 100000 men.
In the meantime fighting continues
between the Germans retreating from
the government of Suwalki and the
pursuing troops of Gen. Rennen-
kampf. The Russian left wing has
crossed the border into East Prussia
from Grajevo and Szczuczynt, but the
Germans are making desperate resist
ance to the advance of the Russians S
center west of MarjampOl
Great Storm RageS.
The fighting in that district is pro
ragged for 20 years. A terrific rain has
been falling for a week. The low
lands are flooded to a depth Of two
feet and the roads are practically inn
paSsable.
This statement on the general sit
uation was issued today:
I'm Suwalki the Germans continue
to retreat under the continued pres
sure of the Russian attacks. Their
H.
Marjampol, we having captured their
positions near Przerosl west of SimnO.
Because Of the manner in which they
have been forced to f2ll back along
the storm swept roads their forces Of
fer good opportunity for flank at
tacks, which are being improved.
Make Sudden Attack.
Near Raczki the Germans tried to
take US by surprise with a sudden
counter attack. They charged with
the bayonet at night, but We met
them with a terrible fire and they
were defeated, suffering heavy losses,
and losing large numbers of prisoners.
"The weather has been Of decided
advantage to our troops, who are ac-
customed to ii. but it has been
handicap to the Germans. They have
been unable to eXtricate themselves
from the difficulty into which they
got by advancing with the idea that
they had to meet only ordinary field
batteries.
I'VE had taken heavy artillery to
oppose them and they suffered ter
Ftbly when surprised by the fire of
these big guns. When they turned 10
retreat they We're under fire for many
miles. The ground was left strewn
with dead and dying.
Fight Heavy Skir'mishes.
"On the front farther west our
troops are I'm contact with those Of
the Germans. Heavy slirmishes have
been fought in Kielce. These were
the opening Of a general engagement
70 which the Germans are advancing
in force IN an attempt TO drive US
back along the Vistula and avert the
peril that threatens Cracow.
The Germans have advanced from
Silesia and fortified the Kalisz-C Gees
tochowa line, which they hope 10
prove an effective barrier 10 our
progress. BY coming east of that
line however, and attempting to
strike Us along the Vistula they have
committed a strategical error that
will benefit Us.
They plainly show the intention Of
taking the offensive. This will be Of
advantage to Us as our defensive po-
sitions are OF great strength. The
grounds will endanger their line Of
communication by proceeding too far
from their base Of supplies. Our ad-
vance continues in Galicia but is nee
essarily slow because Of the heavy
rains and the rugged country"
Believe Emperor IL Directing.
Reports from Russian secret ser
vice agents strengthen the belief that
Emperor William is directing the Of
fensive movement OF the Germans
against Russia. II Is said that he re-
Gently spent several days at Breslau.
CONTINUED on PAGE TVELVE)