Evening star., 1915-02-12
SLAVS DECLARE ACTION
is TO GAIN HOME BASE
Operations Now Beginning May
Prove Decisive, According to
Cars STAFF.
FIERCE FIGHT AT K0ZIoUvKA
Teutons Gain Heights After 22 At
tacks, But Lose Position-Car-
pathian Situation Deemed
Favorable to Invaders.

xaVOTaOlG lnVaQSIB.
LONDON, February II, I2:rs
p.m.-The Russian incursion into
East Prussia appears, Judging
from dispatches reaching London,
likely to be as short-lived as were
the previous Russian raids into
this same district. Germany's
subperb equipment and strategic
railways in this territory have en-
abled her within few days to
throw immense bodies of troops
against the invaders.
In the present case the German
soldiers appear to have been
rushed into East Prussia from
both Poland and interior points.
Russian View Of Situation.
The retirement Of the Russian forces
from the region Of the Maxurain lakes
to the Russian frontier is due. accord
ing to the Russian general staff, to
new considerations which have become
important since heavy German concen-
| tration in East Prussia has changed
the complexion of the military situa
tion on the northern battle front.
, Since the determined nature Of the
German operations in the Mazurain
| lakes district destroys any suppoeitten
that this IL only one OF the countless
demonstrations employed by the Ger
mans to distract attention and divert
forces from the main issue In Poland.
and since 1t IL now evident that this u
the beginning OF 4 series OF long and
active operations which may definitely
settle the struggle on this front, the
Russian general stan has decided that
the most favorable disposition OF Rus
sian forces can be made on Russian
territory, where. In the early part of
the war, Russia SO decisively defeated
the German attempts on the banks Of
tho River Nieman.
Russian Formation Same.
The semi-circle formation Of the Rus
sian forces, which recently extended
from the Mazurian lakes northward -
Tilsit has now transferred its position
without altering its general shape.
One horn of the crescent ie now resting
in the province Of Plock and the other
in the province of Kovno.
It is reported officially that engage
ments at Vilkoviski. Nyshynetz, Ostro-
lenka and as far south as Sierpec and
the river Skrwa show that the general
activity extends over the whole of this
wide semi-cfrcle which marks the pres
0lSDOS1tlOn Russian
Official Explanation.
The official explanation of the retire.
ment Of the Russian forces in East
Prussia says:
TT is believed we are on the eve
Of a great operation which must solve
definitely the struggle in East Prus-
sia-''
Warning is given that because of the
necessity for military secrecy, little in
formation may be expected regarding
the operations which are about to be-
gin. The Russians are seeking the
shelter of their own fortresses, the
statement asserts, before attempting to
take more concentrated" locations
from which to oppose the heavily re-
inforced Germans.
German Repulse Reported.
The Russians claim the garrison Of
the fortress of Przemysl is exhaustina
itself In fruitless sorties. A final re-
pulse of the Germans. who temporarily
occupied the heights of KosIouvka
after twenty-five assaults, is reported.
The communication follows:
1T has been established that recently
there have appeared in East Prussia
four new corps of the German army.
consisting partly of troops transported
from the west front, partly of raw re-
cruits and partly of reserve forces.
This radically changed conditions
and involved the necessity OF our
troops retiring, in order to facilitate
decomposition. to locations more con-
centrated. This object. it was be-
lieyed, could be better attained upon
our own territory, in the shelter of
our fortresses.
Fierce Fighting Engaged In.
After twenty-five frustrated at
tempts the Germans succeeded in oc-
cupying in great force, after q desper.
ate struggle, the heights Of KozIouvka,
but were dIslodged after violent bay
onet attack, leaving 400 dead.
..The garrison OF the fortress of
Przemysl is exhausting itself in fruit
less attacks, maintaining an irregular
nre against our blocl<ading troops"
In the Carpathians the situation looks
to the Russians. who are
nressinE against the Austrian defenses
At three of the most important noun
tain passes. and this IN spite Of the dif-
f1culties interposed by snow-blocked
roads. Berlin admits that the Russians
have entered Hungarian territory at
several points in the Carpathian dis
trict. but declares that these positions
were most dearly bought In view of
the terrible casualties inflicted by Aue-
trian artillery and machine guns on
the Russian massed formations.
In Russian Poland the Germans head
the belief that Russia is peeparinR tc
esil back to hsr second fiAs. .aA6 the