The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-10-13
Teutonic Allies and the
Russians Are Pre-
pairing to Engage in
a Great Battle
RUSSIAN POLAND
SCENE OF ACTION
Berlin Admits Having Withdrawn
From the Niemen River While RS
sia Has Abandoned the Narrow
Point Between Przemysl and Cracow

LoHuuu, OCt. u. IV-Nt a. AL
eyes to-day are turned to the East
ward. where, under conditions of the
utmost secrecy, the Teutonic allies aud
the Russians are preparing TO engage IN
what may prove one or the most de-
cisive combats of the war. Evidence is
accumulating TO show that the gigantic
conflict will be determined in Russian
Poland and the only question disturbing
British experts is as to which side has
chosen the battle ground.
Berlin admits having withdrawn
from the Niemen river and at the same
time discounts the whole movement in
that region as being of no strategic i'm
portance. 1t is now Gear that Russia
has abandoned the narrow point in Ga
licia between Przemysi and Cracow,
Russian forces having virtually oecu-
pied all of the Galieia with the excep-
tion of these two places.
Claims of Opposing Armies
Petrograd claims this operation is
due to strategic reasons while Vienna
maintains that reiuvenated Austrian
armies have relieved the Przemysl
fortress and driven the invaders out. 1t
is understood that more or less demor-
allied Austrian forces, stiffened by
German reinforcements, have resumed
the offensive but there is no informa-
tion here to indicate that the Russian
retirement is anything in the nature OF
rout resulting from vigorous fighting.
Whatever may be the intention of
the armies operating on the ends of the
great Russian battle front, it is clear
4b,+ al ;ptn
insignifcance beside the tremendous
advance in the center. Broadly speak
ing this is now the position of the an
tagonists awaiting the word TO open
the engagement.
Movement of German Armies
The main German armies in Russian
Poland are moving toward the Nistula
river on a north and south front ex-
tending through Pio,eskow. 90 miles
southwest of Warsaw, Kielce and Busk.
on the Bug river. 80 miles east of Lem
berg. To the left OF this army be
tween Lodz and Kahsz is another Ger.
man force and on the right of the main
German army is an Austrian force.
The bulk of the Russian troops are
: on the east bank of tine Vistula. but a
PuIt4Ou VI lhelT HIOFteS are SUM ON Vne
west side of the river. The nature of
I the country makes it probable tina. the
center of the battle line will be between
Sandomir and Ivangorod, both on the
Nistula river, and .abont sixty miles
apart.
Germans Abandon Strong Positions
In order to take up their p>.. tions
the Germans have been compelled to
sbandon strong positions along the
river Narthe and avail themselves OF
the portatiou facilities of Russian
railroads which are incomparahv
poorer than what 5hev have been aecus-
tomei 10. The Russians are described
as keen to engage the enemy in a
country of their own choosing and near
the base of their sup-lies.
Tne Germans are said 10 be still re-
tiring in the direction of East Prussia
and IN PetrOgrai There is report of
Russian victory near Raczko. midway
between Augussowo and Suwalki. which
resulted in the capture of several Ger
man batteries sent from Konigsberg.
Berlin declared that al of the west
ern part of Russian Poland is now in
the possession of the Germans and that
the exception of Warsaw is in their
hands. 1t would appear TO be a fact
that no heavy engagements vet have
been fought in this region, most of the
fighting being between screens of cav
airy.
The Invasion of Silesia
Should the Austro-German forces suf.
fer deefat along the battle front now
forming the way would be opened. il is
argued in London. for the invasion of
Silesia. which, next to the Rhine prov.
snces, is the richest district of Ger
many. But it is not anticipated even
In the event of their victory that the
Russians win advance with anv great
speed. The topography of the country
and the lack of transports pretludes the
posslolhty of anything like the German
sweep through Belgium
Russia has suffered her most severe
marine loss of the war in the sinking
of the cruiser Paltada. which has been
torpedOed by a German Submarine in
me Baltic. In every theatre of the war
Hermanv evidently is resuming the of.
fensive with unparalleled vigor. and
British naval observers are inclined 10
expect some cooperative display of ac
nvltv by the German feet
The Battle Along the Aisne
Along the battle line of the Aisne
the very brief official communication
given out in Paris declares that what
change there is in the situation favors
the allies
A most Interesting bit of news from
che western front is found in the report
from various sources that several of /
the forts around Antwerp are still o. /
cuPed by the defenders If tnis is true. 1
1t is argued here, thai possibly the ex. /
pected reinforcements for the German
night wing may not be sent forward in /
time.
Reports also continue to reach Ion I
don that the great activity of the Ger {
man cavalry near Lille is a screening
movement to cover the retrest of the I
army of General Won Kluck. Such a re
treat is said even TO be under way to
the north and to the northeast.