Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-03
WAR SCENE SHIFTS
TO WEST OF POLAND,
MILLIONS IN CLASH
Germans Take Aggressive on
Thorn-Kielce Line, But
Their Retreat Continues on
Northern Frontier.
PETROGRAD, Oct. 3.

PETROGRAD, Oct. 81
The long-expected battle between the
German and the Russian armies IN west
ern Russian Poland is on, according 10
reports received from the front To-Day
The advance guards of the Two armies
are in contact in the Government oi
EiaIce north of the Vistula, and heavy
skirmishing has already taken place
The German army is reported to num-
her 500 OO0 men along the curved front
extending from Thorn to Cracow. In
addition they are supported by at least
100000 Austrans, who form the rlsht
wing of the Allied forces The Russians
ore believed to number at least l,OOO'OOO
men.
In the meantime fighting continues be-
tween the Germans retreating from the
Government OF Suwalki and the pursuing
troops of General Rennenkampf Ihe
Russian left wing has crossed the border
irtn East Prussia from Grajevo and
szezuczyn, but the Germans are making
desparate resistance to the advance OF
the Russian centre west OF Marjampol
The lighting III that district is proceed
ip, in the worst storm that has ragged
for % years. A terrifce rain has oeeh
falling for a week. The lowlands are
aooded TO a depth of two feet and the
roads are practically impossible
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
rh,s. statement on the general situation
was issued today
.Tn Suwalki, the Germans continue 10
retreat under the continued pressure OF
the Russian attack. Their front has been
broken on the line of Marjampol, we have
captured their positions near Przerosl'
vest Of simno. Because of the manner
in which they have been forced to ran
back along the storm-swept roads their
forces offer good opportunity for hank
attacks, which are being improved
"Near Raczh the Germans tried to take
us by surprise with sudden counter at
rack They charged with the bayonet at
pigbt hut we met them with a terrific
are and they were defeated. suffering
heavy casualties and losing large numbers
of prisoners.
The weather has been Of decided ad-
| vantage 10 our troops, who are accus-
toned TO It, but II has been handicap
10 the Germans. They have been unable
TO extricate themselves from the ditii-
Guilty into which they got by advancing
with the idea that they had TO meet
only ordinary field batteries
We had taken heavy artillery 10 OPP
pose them, and they suffered terribly when
surprised by the fire of these big guns
| When they turned to retreat they were
I'under Are for many miles. The ground
was left strewn with dead and dying,
"Our advance continues in Galicia' but
| is. necessar rily slow because OF the heavy
| rains and the rugged country."
| Reports from Russian Secret Service
| AGENTS strengthen the belief that En-
| ueror William Is directing the offensive
! movement of the Germans against Rus
| sia. 1t Is said he recently spent several
| days al Breslau, and at a military coun-
| ell there directed that the Germans
| should take the aggressive. His orders
| are now being carried out.
The Kaiser's orders are attributed 10
| the collapse OF the Austrian army In
| Cialicia Russian military experts say
| that he expected the Austrians TO show
| greater strength and prove a constant
| menace to the left OF the main Russian
| army as Il advanced on Silesla. Disap-
| pointed in this. he has resolved 70 carry
| the hght into Russian territory while
/ the conflict IN the west Is still raging.