New-York tribune., 1914-12-23

the river and smashing their flank,
swung back. The movement Of the
left and centre Of the Russian line
toward its new positions was accom-
plished as calmly and systematical!y
a. If the army were maneuvrlng IN
times of peace.
"The general in command took e%-
haustive measures 20 make his retreat
as effective as an advance. He leaves
20 the Germans nothing but earth'
They will walk over country as bare
as beggsr's hand Of means OF MAKING
war. There Is not a horse or mouth
ful Of food which can help the enemy
forward a single yard. The Germans,
who were fully informed Of the con
ternplated Russian retirement by
means of constant aeroplsne reconnols-
sances, made an attempt 70 take the
positions, and pressed forward after
the Russians. This was precisely
what the Russians had expected and
prepared for, and they met the Ger
man attack with a counter movement
which was successful at every point.
The rear guard actually carried sew
eral Of the enemy's trenches, causing
him TO fall back, and also captured
four field guns.
"a fact which leaps TO the eye is
that the Russian army, which IS now
settling into new positions, is an army
which takes kindly 20 the hardshlps
and stress Of war. The men are IN
magnificent condition. The held
kitchens, which cook on march and
serve hot food Immediately q battalion
halts, have worked well, and there have
been practically no cases of illness
among the Russian troops.
Attacks German RumOrs.
The Petrograd correspondent of "The
Morning Post" referring to the warn
ing issued last night by the Russian
General staff against German interpre.
tations Of the present realignment OF
the Grand Dukes armies south OF tne
Vistula, telegraphs the following:
"The warning was needed 70 counter
act pernicious rumors sedulously spread
bv the Germans. Upon the voluntary
evacuation Of Lodz by the Russians all
the rumors referred TO are based, but
besides the pernicious rumors, a sun
more dangerous suggestion has been
set about, that Russia is concealing
reverses under the guise OF strategic
moves. Even the press of England
strongly reflects, while overtly denying,
this. d,
"The impression created in England
bv the evacuation Of LODI is ludlcrously
out of all proportion. Indeed, good
deal of the exposition of the Russian
situation which has lately appeared in
the London press shows the influence
of Germanic versions, which, of course.
cndeavor TO concentrate entire atten-
tion upon the narrow point where Ger
many has attempted, and failed, 70 turn
the Grand Duke from the execution OF
his strategical scheme.
LODI Not Important.
"Poland has been of supreme i'm.
portance from a German point OF
view ali through, and that view IS
held by many writers on the military
situation in the press of Russia's ally;
England. | have many times stated
plainly that from the Russian point
of view Poland has no supreme I'M
portance in this or any other war. In
spite of all Germany has been able 10
do. the decisive fight must take place
where the Grand Duke, and not where
Germany, has chosen. The Russian
troops south of the Nistula are keep
inc very large German forces actively
busy far away from the vital centre
of the war and making them pay an
appalling toll in the valuable lives OF
their best troops.
81 think it should be tolerably PLAIN
that LODI means nothing TO Russia
Just now the town is perfectly safe'
as the Germans will carefully preserve
this mushroom. Lodz was not buiit
with Russian money, and very. large
and supremely important part of Rus,
sia. from Moscow to the Volga, would
be deeply grateful to the Germans II
thew would reduce the whole town TO
heap of ruins. But the German
spares his own. and Lodz will be quite
safe. even in German hands"