New-York tribune., 1914-12-22

so placed that il commands the river
10 IFS junction with the Vistula, eign-
teen miles 20 the north. Southwark
the Russian line extends TO Opoczno,
twenty-five miles east Of Petroko"'
which recently was evacuated, and for-
tv-five miles east Of Sczerczow, where
the Russians first opposed the German
extreme right.
II il pointed out that the Russians
have thus assumed positions on tnelr
third line Of defence. The evacuation
OF LODI. which lies 20 the west OF TINS
line. was thus in logical sequence 20
this movement, ami, according 70 the
general opinion here. had no bearing on
the attack on Warsaw. The kufslahs
for the present apparently are attempt
ing nothing more than 20 retard tne
enemy and 20 defeat attempts al hank-
The great battle Of Western GalicIa
,,av nov, be said 10 have begun. News
from this region is still lacking IN de-
,..tail. as is natural in the opening stages
Of modern titanic conflicts. CONTACTS
ere reported along the line from near
Cracow 70 the Donalec River ana iGr-
ther east as far as I%zemysl The de-
termincd attempt Of the garrison OF
the latter fortress 10 break way out
2
evidently was made in the hope OF
reaching the Carpathian passes ana
reioining the Austrian and Germah
forces there who are coming up Tor the
great battle.
Cracow Siege Unaffected.
The Russians are fighting IN this re-
zion under favorable conditions, ana
przemysl will probably not delay any
Of RmggfgnE
longer. Perhaps the most important
intellipence from that region IS thaI
the Western Galicia advance OF tne
German-Austrian armies has now Deeh
Tie Austrian official communication
received here, although claiming sue
cegses i'm the Carpathians, admits thaI
Tho Russians again occupy Gailcia ana
South Poland In force. rms is aCceP'
cd ae AN admission that the Cracow ana
przemvsl investments are proceeding
and have not been broken.
The Germans have wholesome tet-
ror Of the resource displayed uhueI
opparcntv impossible conditions by
tbe Cossacks and certain irregular
forces belonging 20 the Russian army.
Though "a wide river, unfordable and
unbridped. covers the left flank OF the
German armies operating on the Bzura
River. "a few hundred Cossacks getting
i'm their rear and working IN parties OF
ton or score have produced danger
ous panics too often already for the
Kaiser's troops 90 feel happy at losln%
command Of the right bank OF the Wis
tula.
Recently the Germans made deter
mined attempt TO get across the Nls-
tula at DobrZyiu. Completing brldge
from the southern bank 10 an island
tbev crossed in force and occupied the
island. They then had 10 attempt the
much more difficult task OF bridging
the fairway between the island ana
the shore. where the main current rs
squeezed into seventy or eighty YARDS
The movement did not escape the
eves of the Russians scouts, but the
Germans were allowed 10 work unmo-
Tested until their arrangements were
.pproachiuC completion. MeanWhle
the Russians got their artillery into
position on high ground at conven-
lent range on the right bank, and
catching tho Germans by surprise, pro
6uccd a panic and made them bolt.
The results Of the artillery attack
we're so convincing that the Germans
made no attempts to save their mate
rial. and their pOntOOns are now IN the
hands of the Russians.
Military Plan Defended.
Tho following official statement was
issued here this evening:
"The head OF the General staff says
that. owing to the malevolent reports
widely printed I'M the newspapers dur
ing the last few days, concerning the
condition and strategic positions OF
our armies, he thinks IT fit to warn
the Russian public against the par
tiality and inaccuracy of these reports.
THE fact that our armies adopted
narrower front was the outcome OF a
decision arrived at after full and free
consideration by the military authOri-
ties.
"The reason for this plan is obvious
I'm view of the concentration in front
OF our army Of considerable German
forces.
Moreover, this plan offers other
advantages. concerning which, unhap-
PLY, we cannot Sgive details for the
present for military reasons"