The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-04
Continued from First Page.

"
extending nearly 200 miles, has begun
with minor Russian succe sses In the
kielce region, north and east of Graz
COW, At various points along this front,
particularly from posen and Breslau.
the Germans arc attempting a vigor-
Gus offensive, numbering. with Austrian
allies about 100000. Their purpose Is
TO beat the Russian forces advancing
from warsaw so decisively that the
Russians must again abandon East
Prussia, retreat In Galicia and with
draw forces In Poland for the defence
OF Warsaw. The rumor persists that
the Kaiser is In supreme command Of
these movements.
Tho result OF the battle OF Cracow,
now being wased. will determine, prob
ably, whether or not Russia can break
through the defences Of Sllesia and
Prussia and advance in overwhelming
force toward Breslau and Berlin. The
forces engaged along the front are
greater than tho forces In combat in
northern France. While Russia threat
ems East Prussia and holds a large force
OF Germans in that region, and while
she blocks German Initiative In north
ern Poland, she is msssing her finest
troops along the Cr;tGow battle line.
One report places the strength OF the
Russians advancing from three diree-
tons as 100000. one great army IL
striking straight westward from War
saw toward Breslau. Two armies are
converging from the northeast through
Poland, and from the southeast, through
Galic!a, for the attack on Cracow
The latter Russian force, victors Of
many engagements with the Austrians
In Galicia, came In contact today with
the Austro- German outposts west Of the
Donatee River. between Tarnow and
Cracow and about thirty five miles only
east Of Cracow. The fighting to-day
was n the nature OF n sltirmish, the
Russians driving basl; the Austro- Ger
man outposts. Fifty miles to tho north,
near Kielce. the Russian column, strlk-
ing from the northeast, was fighting a
German force attempting the offensive
The combat has been violent, with a
slight advantage to the Russians ow-
Ing to their superior numbers aud their
numerous heavy field guns
There is little news Of the Russian
army advancing directly from Warsaw
tONdiu bhN IL - dSSUIlltu mere
that 1t will endeavor to break the Ger
man line OF defence while the Russian
armies to the south are engaging the
Cracow defenders. Vast operations are
being carried out hourly. The outcome
of the struggle beginning to-day Will
be momentous some insisting even that
Germany will be forced 10 make peace
II her armies are crushed along the
| Posen -Cracow line.
The official statement issued IN Petro-
grad contains much detail. but lie OF
rather guarded tone. Its text is:
I'm Suwalk! the Germans continue 70
retreat under the pressure OF Russian
attack. Their front has been broken at
Merlanpol We have captured their
positions near przerosl. west OF Simno.
because of the manner In which they
| have been forced TO fall back along
stormswept roads their forces offer good
opportunities for flank attacks, which
are being improved.
Near Raczki the Germans tried 20
take us by surprise with sudden
! counter attack. They charged With
the bayonet at night, but we met them
with a terrific fire and they were de-
/ faated. suffering heavy casualties ana
| losing a large number Of prisoners.
The weather has been OF decided
! advantage 20 our troops, who are ac-
ustomed 70 Il, but II has been han
dicap to the Germans. They have been
unable 10 extr!cate themselves from the
difficulties into which they got by ad-
vancing with the idea that they had 70
meet only ordinary field batteries. we
! had taken heavy artillery to oppose
/ them and they suffered terribly when
surprised BY the fire OF these dig guns
When they turned 10 retreat they were
under fire for many miles. The GROUND
was left strewn with dead and dying
ION the front further west our troops
are IN contact with those OF the Ger
mans. Heavy skirm.shes have Beer
fought IN kiclce. These were tho open
, ing OF n general engagement, 20 " hicf
the Germans are advancing IN force
! in an attempt 10 drive US back along
the Vistula and avert the peril tina
threatens Cracow.
THE Germane have advanced from
Sliesia and have fortified the kaliscz
C'zenstachowa line, which they hope VII
prove an effective barrier TO our prog
ress. BY coming east OF that line. how
ever, aud attempting 10 strike US alons
the Vistula, they have committed {
strategical error that will benefit us
They plainly show tho intention to taxi
the offensive This will be of advaH
tase TO us. as our defensive positions
are Of great strength. Tho German
will endanger their line Of communlca
lions by proceeding too far from thei
base OF supplies.
"Our advance continues in Galicla
but Is necessarily slow because OF tn
heavy rains and the rugged country
The Daily Tclegrdph's Petrograd cor
respondent sends details Of Gen. Rem
nenkampfs recent successes In Eas
Prussia.
THE Germans made obstinate effort:
20 regain possession Of the village o.
Birkenfeid.' he says. 1.-THE Russians