Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-11-23
GERMAN ADVANCE
REACHES CRITICAL
STAGE OF JOURNEY
Danger Of Being FIanked Is
Imminent but Position Must
Be Held
If ARMY ISFLANKED
DISASTER IS CERTAIN
Safety Of Army Depends
Largely On Incompetence
Of Russian Generals
(By j. w. T. Mason former London
correspondent for the United Press)


correspondent for the United Press)
New York, Nov 23.-General Won
Hindenburg and his German followers
have now reached the most critical part
of their journey from the kaiser's
frontier to Warsaw.
They are at Lowicz, planted straddle-
wise across the railroad lines from the
northwest, which at this point begins
to converge with the line from the
southwest or Warsaw. The straddle is
Is miles long and the angle formed by
the two railroads extends to the east
ward for 40 miles before its apex is
reached at the metropolis of Russian
Poland.
This engle must be held by the Ger
mans in order to command both rail
roads, Hitherto Won Hindenburg has
been compelled to protect only tho line
from the northwest. Now, however, he
must make sure of the one from the
southwest, too, or accept the grave risk
of being thanked.
This risk, even with both railroads
under German control, is constant one.
Won Hindenburg is truly s'living dam
gerously," in full accord with Metz
sches teachings
Taking Big Risks.
Besides the railroad angle, there is a
river angle alive with perilous possi-
biIities, into which the Germans ara
entering.
This river angle is formed by the
Vistula After passing almost straight
across Russian Poland from the German
frontier, the stream bends sharply to-
the southwark just before Warsaw iB
reached, forming right angle with IT.
self.
Warsaw is on the north and south leg
Of the angle, about ten miles from the
angle itself. On the east and west leg,
also about ten miles from the bend, in
NOyo Georgievsk, a first class fortresR
Of great strength.
Into this nav, between tho towns Of
Warsaw and Noyo Georgievsk, the Ger
mans must venture If they are flanked
or caught in the rear, they will be driv-
en- between these two fortresses and
the Vistula, with disaster inevitable.
To some extent offsetting this risk
is the fact that no Russian commander
has yet shown the capacity for directing
such a coup. Nevertheless, the fact ra-
mains that at no previous time since tho
war began has there been so splendid an
opportunity for devastating stroke 90
Won Hindenburg is now offering TO the
Russians,
0utnumbered 10 /.
Indeed, neither in the east nor the
west has a commander yet shown bold
ness comparable with that displayed by
Won Hnderburg in his present drive,
which involves dangers which probably
nobody but he would risk.
His army is certainly outnumbered q
to /, II not more heavily, and the
abominable condition Of the Russian
roads makes II hard for IL to profit by
It's natural mobility, through which in
less difficult country, II would enjoy
considerable advantage over the Rus
SLAMS
Won Hindenburg is Of the type how
ever, which reveals in such handicaps.
His open criticism Of the kaiser q
strategy at army maneuvers during
peace times was what caused him to be
on the retired list when the war
started, In the face Of the national
crisis, he and the ruler made up their
quarrel and Won Hindenburg started
ahead to win the title Of prince, which
will be conferred on him IL he saves
Eastern Germany from Russian In
vasiOn,