The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-25

thrown through the Carpathans from
5ervia.
Along the battle line before Warsaw
from the confluence of the Vistula and
Bzura rivers to the Pilitza the Russians
nave been drawn up In defensive posi-
ion that appears impregnable. The plan
II the Grand Duke Nicholas Is becoming
evics.t sEd military authorities here
propnesy success for II. The German
armies In the centre are to be left to
hammer against a stone wall. while great
pressure Is being brought by the Rus
slams on the extreme Of the front in
northern Poland and in the southern como
from Cracow to eastern Galicia.
All reports from Petrosrad agree that
the Austrian advance. which threatened
to become serious. has been definitely
checked and that the Russians are again
demonstrating their superiority over their
foe. A large number of Austrians have
been taken prisoners within the last
twenty -four hours and the Russian lines
are being pushed forward expedtiously.
At Prxemysl TOO the Russians are show
ing renewed vigor and have won an I'M
portant advantage In capturing line Of
railway running directly into the city.
Along this line the final Russian assault
will be delivered and the success OF that
movement is now considered certain when
ever the Grand Duke Nicholas decides
that the moment has come to strike.
The importance Of tho operations In
the Bzura- Vistula region Is not under
estimated, but the conclusion is drawn
from the trend of the fighting along the
entire lines that the Russians are at last
drawn UP In the defensive positions to
which they have been gradually retiring
since the capture OF Lodz by the Germans.
II is believed now that both sides have
reached their limit In bringing up troops
to the Bzura River engagement The Ger
mans are said TO have 1000 600 men con-
centrated at that point. and the Russians
now have about an equal number. There
is no room for any more and the conflict
will be fought out on an equal basis from
now on Some fine marching under dts-
perate conditions by Russian infantry 10
known to have prevented formdbOle
German dash beyond the Bzura. Indeed,
at one time a small force had penetrated
to within sixteen miles of the Polish capi-
tai only TO be driven back In disorder
by newly arrived Cossacks.
The Russian official statement to-day
indicates that the region on the left bank
OF the Pilitza will see some violent fight
ing within the next few days. Near Move
Masto the armies have been deadiocked
since yesterday. - - ~'~ht bank or the
Filitza the Russians claim success. AN they
do also in Gallcla, where enc Austrians
seem 70 have been firmly checked. Rus
sian reports OF the capture OF consider
able number of prisoners show that the
new Russian armies which advanced
through the Nlda Valley have done their
work effectually. The Russian statement
follows:
On the left bank of the Pilitza OBJ
stinate fighting continues in the region
Of the villages OF Jeseszee ana Roj-
kowawelia. about six miles west OF
Move Miasto.
on the right bank OF the Pilitza We
have made progress in the vicinity OF
Opoczno and Tomaszow.
In Galicia our successes continue.
South Of the vistua we captured. dur
ing December 20 and 81. sc officers
and $500 men, three cannon and 10
mitrailleuses.
In the Carpathans while pursuing
the retreating Austrians We cap
tured on December 90 80 officers and
about 1000 men
Near Przemysl the Austrians at
tempted a now sortie. during which
several OF their advance companies
were completely annihllated. Other
advance companies were taken pris-
oners. in this affair we r-i..d about
mile of railway leading into the city.
Opoczno Is the furthest point of the
Russian advance on the right bank OF the
Pilitza, and the danger OF losing con.
troll of the line Of communications be-
tween Warsaw and the forces In Ga
licia caused the Grand Duke Nicholas to
make particular efforts to prevent the
Germans from continuing their progress
in thai region. Fresh artillery has been
brought into action there and the rapid
retirement of the Germans is confidently
expected.
The tactics Of the Russians at present
seem 10 be to hold fast in the CENTRE
letting the Germans dash themselves
against the apparently impregnable line
directly in front of Warsaw and then ~
keen hammering away at the extreme
wings and at other weak places in the
line In the expectation tina: the invad-
ers will eventually be Obliged to withdraw
In order TO save their central forces.