The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-16
GUIDING RUSSIAN PUBLIC OPINION

I
| PETROGRAD, October Tn gen
eral. tfE Russian press Is very careful
in discussing the latest success OF
Russla's glorious army. Russian
| papers. while welcoming, the great vic
tory over the Austrian army, criti-
cizcd very sharply some OF the others
which profcsscd to see In this success
the complete defeat of both the dual
Kingdom and OF Germany. and recon-
mend them to heed the words Of the
Weh-known Count Wittc. who In
ODESSA advised tho representatives of
the local press to be most cautious.
we have struggled" he said, $50
| ionE only with n part OF the German
and the Austrian armies. and we ought
| not to lose our heads over tho first
! SUCCESS. The main forces of the enemy
are hidden. and before us liz a very Diff
hcult task OF destroying them. which
VIII cost us enormous effort and sac
| rifices The press" continued Count
Witte. must prepare the populacc for
| unexpected difficulties which NAV arise
at any moment"
or course. the words OF the famous
Russian, politician are very important
and reasonable. but they must read in
tho light OF the situation in which our
enemies are now. Germany is in n
very difficult position. Being block
pressed eastward by the allies, she
| cannot help the Austrians. and. even
u such help were given. 1t would be
too late.
Germany. as can be seen from the
latest move OF her army, Is concentrat-
ing her forces In East Prussia In an
endeavor TO cooperate with the navy
in the Baltic. The rapid advance OF
General Rennenkampfs army and the
decisive success OF the Russians over
me main Austrian forces. as well as
the Servian victories at Jardar and
Drin, of course, distracted the atten-
ton OF the German general staff from
france to Russia's offensive move I'm
Germany. From August IS to Septem-
Der the Germans continually trans
ported troops from the western front
10 the eastern The Kaiser kept his
promise TO support his beloved East
Prussia as soon as possible, and did so
at the expense OF the army which was
hghting against the allies In the west
ern war area.
When the Germans had comnleted
this concentration I'm East Prussia,
they started their offensive in an at
tempt TO envelop the army OF General
Rennenkampf on the line OF Nordcn-
burg Goldap -Suwaik They brought
very strong pressure to bear. and IL
was an extremely dificult task for the
Russians to hold the advanced posi-
tons they had won. for they were In
very unfavorabie circumstance But
with great self-sacrifice and bravery
they contested every. step by the ad-
vancing enemy. and this lighting cost
the Germans very dear.
General Rennenkampr In view or
further operations, decided TO adopt
favorlte Russian tactics OF eXhaustinp
the enemy by lighting a succession OF
rearguard actions fn retrcating on the
most favorable positions In one of
trI1
the difference between a retirement
and defeat. as well as between a
partial success and n victory. The Rus
sian press. for instance In discussing
the circumstances In which General
Samsonofs two-army CORPS were de-
feated. makes II clear that though the
Russians suffered very heavy losses
they moved backward I'm complete or
der to avoid the fire OF the siege artil-
lery OF the enemy and to intrCnch them
selves in case tho Germans brought
their heavy cannons into use again. TO
remove such big machines takes time.
and the Russians succeeded quite well
in accomplishing their retreat.
Such a'retreat. as the most important
Russian experts point out, is purely
tactical move to take up more favor
able positions, and is absolutely Of no
significance.
The death of General Samsonoff.
Martos and Pestitch were quite acct
dental. German shell OF large calibre
burst among General Samsonoff's stan
as the gallant hero, with his officers,
was leaving tho battleields, the last
to leave It. directing the retreat of his
army from the rear.
An0 such splendid retreaN which
can be admired by every military ex
pert, was called In Berlin "a new vic
tory!"
The Japanese, by a luckier chance
for them. succeeded at Port Arthur in
Killing with an eleven-inch she'll the
celebrated General kondratenko, who
was the soul of the defense of the
fortress. and with the hero persisted the
best officers OF the STAFF. This was a 1
mortal blow for Port Arthur. because
nobody could replace the dead chief;
Russia had not then good generals, ant.
the fortress was completely block
AIDED. but in the present war the Rus
sian War Office has mum ber.o of good.
experienced generals and officers at its
command, and the dead chiefs have
been replaced.
The Htratesy of the Russian com
chief in Galicia shows we'll
what the Russian generals o.day, are
capable OF doing. Not only rho Rus
Sian press, which is most modest. but
the experts OF the whole world have
proved 1t in the press. In undertaking
the invasion OF East Prussls. The Rvs
eian army WAY Randy - ,,,eSt 4,