Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-30
GERMAN LEFT WING
IN FLIGHT TO THORN,
PETROGRAD STATES
War Office Reticent About
Poland Battle, However,
and Curbs Extravagant
Expectations of Vast Vic
tory.
PETRoGRAD. Nov. 80.


The left wing of the German army in
Polond is in flight toward Thorn from the
region of Gombin, according to the official
Army Messenger. It declares that the
reverse suffered by the Germans at LodS
rivals the worst defeats lnfiicted upon
them during the Napoleonio wars, and
predicts that the continued advance OF
the Russian troops from the Bsura River
in pursuit Of the retiring left wing of the
enemy will force the Kaiser's troops to
abandon the positions they still hold In
the strykow-Sgierz-Lod region.
It also is stated that the German right
wing in Southern Poland is completely
cut off, and that German losses have been
tremendous.
According to the official Army Mes
Benger the German left wing contains
six army corps (24o,OOO mem, commanded
by General Mackensen. Advlces state
that Cracow will soon be invested, unless
the Austrian troops decide not to defend
the fortresses there. 1t Is now con-
sldered unlikely, however, that this great
stronghold will be surrounded without
hard struggle.
A general statement by the War Of
fee tends to curb extravagant hopes of
a vast and immediate victory. 1t an
nounces:
"The public should observe caution in
accepting rumors OF a crushing Russian
victory. These rumors are based partly
on private letters said to have been re-
eeIved from the front and made public
in some of the newspapers. The rumors
are not, Us whole, based on fact, and
must be received with reserve.
"Undoubtedly the German scheme to
pierce our front on the left bank of
the Vistula has completely failed. 1t ap-
pears from the communications of the
staff commander-in-chief that the Ger
mans have been compelled to fall back
from Rzgow and Tuszyn and through
Brzeziny on Strykow under conditions
most unfavorable to them. The Germans
suffered enormous losses during the re-
treat
"The fighting, however. is not yet fin-
ished. The battle on the whole front Is
developing very favorably for us. The
enemy continues, however, to offer stub
born resistance. 1t is impossible, there,
fore, to consider the operations ended,
and It is necessary to. await the revela-
ton of its final results in the firm as
surance that the Russian troops are fully
conscious of the necessity for concluding
successfully their heroic efforts in order
finally to shatter the enemy's resistance"
The hope of Russian arms now rests
with the great reinforcements which have
been rushed forward to the battle line
In Poland. 1t is stlll confidently expected
that the German armies on the line from
the south of Plock to the region of Lodz
will be completely crushed. Terrific fight
ing has marked the efforts of the enemy
to cut their way out Of that region. and
success has not yet been gained
by the Russians.
The official statement declares favorable
is still being made by the Rus
sian forces, but 1t ib evident that the
various battles which have been going on
during the past week have practically
welded themselves into one vast engage
ment which must soon turn one way or
the other.
The army OF General Macksnssn is de-
clarsd to have been virtually cut In three
parts, but one section has succeeded in
extrIcating itself from its preeariouB
position, though only with tremendous
losses,