New-York tribune., 1914-10-30
RUSSIANS CUT
ENEMY'S LINES
Continued from page

mans necessarily shelling the forests
behind the men on the fighting INES
who we're engaged IN hand to hand
struggles with the bayonet. alternating
with hurried intrenching work and
rifle fire. 1t is rot yet known whether
il was in this fight that woods were
fired by Russians in such spots as to
cause fearful losses 70 the Germans
but IT seems probable.
The Russians lost one whole rcGl-
ment. which. making Is way through
the woods, emerged to find itself be-
tween Overwhelming forces and was
quickly surrounded with what ultimate
results is not known. but it Is reported
that very little quarter is being gwen
by either side and that prisoners are
comparatively few.
After twenty-four hours OF hard
fighting the Russians at length emerged
from the forests, which they had
cleared of the enemy. The battle now
assumed a more regular appearance,
but bayonet fighting and the persist
ence of the Russians had shaken the
German nerve, although some of Ger
many's best corps were opposed TO tire
Russians. and in this area the result
was the same as elsewhere.
In the southern open space Politlchna
was taken by assault and considerable
forces of the enemy caught and sur
rounded at the village of BerdzeJc.
The latter stands on the edge Of a
small isolated forest, covering about
four square miles, in which the Ger
mans had ensconced themselves. This
wood. however. had a wide clearing
right through its centre, and, being
surrounded, offered insufficient protec-
tion to the outwitted Germans.
In the northern open space the Rus
slams, emerging from the fringe OF for
ests. established themselves in strong
intrenchments dug during the night
and under ceaseless fire. These, by de-
grees. gave them a fighting front OF
five miles, including the villages OF
Adamotf. Severinof and MarianoH,
which commanded three Of the best
tracks through the forests behind them
and served to secure direct communlca-
tion with the rear.
Glovachev. and the whole line north
ward from that township TO the PlIltza,
was taken by direct attack after cX-
tremely severe fighting against some Of
Germany's best corps, including the
goth Army Corps and the Guards re-
serve corJS.
In the night between Monday and
Tuesday the Germans began their re-
treat. The Russians pressed the enemy
hard during the Who'll Of Tuesday and
by nightfall all Of the German-AustriGn
armies south Of the Pilitza were IN
/ full retreat on the Edlinsk-Radom-
+ Hzha line Guns and prisoners arc
falling into the hands Of the Russians
at every step. but the chief significance
of the Russian victory lies in the fact
that these armies have been cut OFT
from the Pilitza and are retrcatlng
. southwo stward on their base. There
+ is no longer before the advancing Rus
SLAMS on the Nistula a front Of one
/ German grand army. but two entirely
/ isolated and beaten forces.
The victory is once more strategic,
and the Russian commanders may be
fully counted on 10 stimulate the re-
treat into a dissolution of the armies
as d lighting force. North OF the
Pilitza the Germans are lighting des-
perately. which looks As If all hopes
Of reaching their fortified positions on
the Warta River have been abandoned
and the Russians have succeeded IN
bringing the enemy TO a stand and
forcing them 90 dght where 1t best
suits them.
The German armie. in East Prussia
arc having 10 success even IN creating
a diversion, and their is no chance Of
their getting in to rescue the defeated
armies that invaded Pollard.
I'm Galjcia fighting continues along
the whole front, the Russians continu-
ing to gain ground and take prisoners
and guns south Of Przemysl.