The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-09-02
SIX DAYS Fighting
RUSSIA CLAIM VICTORY OVER
GERMANS In The EAST.
BATTLE line so Miles

der-St. Petersburg Lays Claim to
Sweeping Victory-Cfermans
Numbered 100000.
A dispatch to The London Daily
Mail Monday from ST. Petersburg
says the first great battle in the east
prussian theatre of operations has
been fought and won by the Rus
slams, who gained complete victory
after six days of desperate fighting.
"The battle 'front.'" the correspon-
dent continues, extended nearly 80
miles on both sides Of the main rail
way line running from Edytkuhnen.
town on the Russian border, west
ward. The fighting began Thursday
when the Russians attacked the Ger
man first division, which had de-
Hvered several unsuccessful assaults
on Eydtkuhnen. The forces on both
sides were gradually increased, the
Germans finally having three army
corps engaged.
'sFierce fighting took place at
Gumbinnen on Thursday, when the
Germans attempted to turn the Rus
sian right flank. Though the attack
here was conducted with the utmost
vigor, the attempt was frustrated by
the bravery and stubbornness OF the
Russian troops on this wing. The
Russians took the opportunity BY the
concentration Of the Germans to the
northward to direct vigorous as
sault on their centre, whereby they
captured many guns
"on Friday the Russian left wing
pressed onward and toward evening
drove the enemy out Of their posi-
tons The Germans then asked for
an armistice that they might carry
away their dead and wounded. This
was refused.
Sunday the battle was decided.
The Germans hastily retreated, pur-
sued by the Russians. The enemy's
losses were very heavy. The Rus
slams captured Airas and Gol6ap. Re
ports that the Russians have occu-
pied Insterburg seem to be official.
This means that Tilsit, a town on the
left bank of the Nieman, so miles
north Of Koenigsberg, has been cut
off from communication with other
parts of Prussia.
'1n the fighting from Monday to
Friday eight German regiments Of
the field army and six landwehr regi-
ments, totalling about 10000 men
with 200 guns. took part. Later the
number was reinforced to more than
100000 men.
.sThs German forces available in
east Prussia, besides the independent
cavalry division, are Eve army corps
of the field army. totaliing 100000
s men with $40 field guns and $50
howitzers, besides considerable
number of siege guns. The total
German forces in the east, not count
ing the landstrum, are about 100000
men with 1,10o field guns and howit-
zers and number of siege guns.
'aThe country where the Russians
win advance is full Of large and small
likes, rivers, canals and marshes.
These natural advantages the Ger
: mans have strengthened by a large
number of forti5cations, including
the fortresses of Koenigsberg, Allen
stein, Danzig and Thorn. But be-
sides these the whole country is
strewn with fortiications and per-
manent field works of every descrip-
ton largely armed with heavy guns.
All these military measures show the
immense strategic importance of east
Prussia
The incursion of large bodies of
Russian troops into the German prov
inces of east and west Prussia and
their capture of the important posi-
stions of Gumbinnen and Insterburg
bring them in front OF series of
more or less fortified German cities
located strategically east of the river.
yistula and between it and the from
tier.
Among the first class fortresses
one is Koenigsberg, on the Gulf of
Danzig. The city contains about 200,-
600 inhabitants and formerly was a
Polish possession. The fortress is
strongly garrisoned. Thorn, south
west of Koenigsberg, is another first
class fortress guarded by large
number of outlying works.
Allenstein is probbly stronger
even than Thorn. It's garrison con-
sists of six infantry, battalions, one
dragoon regiment and a regiment of
field artillery, but it is headquarters
of the Thirty-seventh infantry divi-
sion as well as Of the Seventh infan-
try brigade and the Thirty-seventh
cavalry brigade and it is regarded
as place of concentration for field
army. Allenstein lies equidistant be-
tween Thorn and Koenigsberg, the
three cities forming the hrSt fortl-
fed line on the eastern German from
tier.
Far to the north on the Vistula lies
Danzig, a great naval station and for
tress. South Of the Russian line of
advance Of the left wing of the Rus
sian army lies tPosen, a strongly forti
fed city, formerly part Of Poland,
which is occupied by garrison
whose strength is believed to be very
great.
TO SPEAK By DEEDS.
German Imperial Chancellor Says