New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-14
GERMANS REACH
PETR0GRAD LINE;
GAIN ON DVINA
Hindenburg Rams Drive
to Railway Between
Wilma and Dvinsk.
BERLIN NOW ADMITS
DEFEAT IN GALlClA
Russian Successes on Sereth
May Relieve Pressure to
the North.

London. Sept. 13.-By one OF those
battering ofFensives which, although
costly in men and munitions, have IN
variably been successful, Field Marsha!
Won Hindenburg's army has at last
set foot on the Royno-Petrograd 1all-
way between Wilma and Dvinsk. The
whole Austro- German forces have been
striving to gain this railway since the
fall OF the Polish fortresses.
The offensive, which began toward
the end of last week, was carried on
from three directions on Dvinsk and
the railway on either side Of the town,
while further south the invaders ad-
vanced toward Wilma. The Russians,
before superior forces supplied with
the usual mass of artillery, were yes
terday forced back to the lake district
which the railway penetrates and are
now making stand there.
Teutons Fight for Rovno.
simultaneously the Germans pushed
their way eastward toward Slonim and
Pinsk, both of which are on roads
which join the main railway line, while
the Austrians, with whom there are
many German units, are fighting hard
TO reach Rovno, the southern terminus
Of the line.
With this railway partly in the
hands of the Germans it is probable
that the Russians will be compelled 70
make a further retirement, although
their offensive in Galicia, which con-
tinues, might save them by compelling
the Germans 10 send reinforcements
to this region.
There is now no doubt Of Russian
successes in this district, as, following
the Austrian admission of their retire
ment, the Germans tonight announce
that after repulsing Russian attacks
they occupied "a favorable position sit
uated some kilometres west Of our for
mer position"
The battle along the Dvina River.
which has been virtually in state OF
deadlock for several days, has swung
in favor Of the Germans. Berlin an
nounced to-day that the Russians had
been elected from several positions on
the left bank of the river. This battle
probably will decide the fate Of Riga
The conditions under which the
troops are fighting in the marshy coun-
try in the centre and on the southern
end Of the line are described by Ger
man correspondents as most terrible.
The country is practically all under
water. through which the Austro-G
mans have to advance against well pre-
pared Russian positions.
The eastern bank of the Sereth, from
which the Russians are delivering their
counter attacks, is a veritable fortress,
from which the Russians emerge every
time their opponents approach, taking
heavy toll i'm killed, wounded and prls-
oners. According 10 the Russian ac-
counts. nearly 10000 prisoners have
been taken in the fighting along this
river.
GERMAN OFFICIAL.
German army headquarters gave out
this statement:
Army group Of Field Marshal Won
Hindenburg On the left bank of the
Dvina. between Friedrichstadt and
Jacobstadt, the enemy has been
elected from several positions. Fur
ther south the enemy is avoiding an
engagement. The pursuing Germans
reached the road between Ecken-
grafen, thirty kilometres southwest
of Jacobstadt, and Rakischki.
Between the road from Kupiczki TO
Dvinsk and Villa, below Wilma, our
advance is proceeding vigorously.
Our troops have reached the railway
from wilma to Dvinsk and Petrograd
at several points.
In the bend of the Niemen east of
Grodno our pursuit is proceeding.
On the lower Zelwianka several
strong enemy counter attacks we're
repulsed. We captured yesterday
more than $500 prisoners and two
machine guns.
Army group of Prince Leopold of
Bavaria enemy is retreating.
closely pursued by our troops. More
than 900 Russians were taken pris-
oners.
Army group Of Field Marshal Won
Msckensen-Alo the entire front
the Russian resistance has been
broken and pursuit in the direction
Of Pinsk is proceeding.
Southeastern theatre - Yesterday
German troops repulsed several
strong attacks by the Russians west
and southwest Of Tarnopol, capturing
several hundred prisoners. During
the night we occupied a favorable
position situated some kilometres
west Of our former position without
being hindered by the enemy.
AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL.
The following official statement was
issued AZ Vienna:
The Russian attacks on the east
Galician front continue. On the
Seretb strong hostile forces were
repulsed al several points. There has
boen hand-to-hand ighting in the
trenches. Northwest of Strusow
several Russian attacks broke down
under crossire Of our batteries;