South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-27

Russian War Office Believes
Victory of Cars Troops at
PrzaSnySz Has Broken Back
bone of TeutOn Advance.

PETROGRAD, Feb. p. - General
retreat of the German armies in
northern Poland was predicted at the
war Office today as a result OF the
Russian victory at Przasnysz. 1t was
asserted that the Russian advance in
the PrZasnysz region had cut through
the German front extending from the
Nlemen TO the NiStula and that the
troops of Grand Duke Nicholas were
proceeding steadily toward the East
Prussian frontier. thus menacing the
Germans along the Niemen-Bob obr-Na-
rev front.
These German forces have succeed
ed in bringing their heavy artillery up
before the fortress of Ossowiec. While
this Is a pivotal point in the Russian
line of defense, wax office attaches
profess TO have no an~iety over the
situation there. They assert that with
the Germans retreating in the Przas-
nysz region. those before Ossowiec
Will be unable TO hold their positions.
To the northeast of OFsowiec, along
the Niemen river. desperate lighting is
proceeding in the swamp district
where the Germans suffered such Sc
we're losses in their first invasion Of
Russian territory At some points.
by the sacrifice of great numbers of
men, the Germans have succeeded in
gaining temporary advantages, only
70 be driven from their positions by
concentrated Russian attacks. On
Thursday they threw pontoon bridges
across the Nlemen north Of GrOCnO
and two divisions crossed upon these
to the east bank.
Make Bayonet Charge.
Late Thursday night. however,
three Russian regiments made a bril-
liant bayOnet charge upon the Ger
nd ha cl TO he aGf
bank of the river after fierce hand
to-hand fighting. Lacking artillery,
the arrival of which had been delay ed
by the deep snow, volunteers TO blow
up the pontoon bridges were called
for. Fifteen men were selected.
They attached bombs to the structures
and shattered them.
OF the / 3 that volunteered for the
task. however, only three returned
wounded. Several were killed
AT the same time the German in
fantry column which had crossed the
Niemen near SventOyansk was forced
back across the river.
South of the lower Vistula in the
BOrJimow region another German at
tack was repulsed.
Armed motor cars crowded on the
retreating German heels, pouring into
their ranks a deadly machine gun
fire.
Altogether It appears that the Rus
slams are more than holding their
own in north and central Poland
and that In the Carpathians they are
making such a steady advance that
not only the Hungarian. but Austrian
armies fighting in Bukowina are
| threatened.
! Fighting is now progressing over a
front of $50 miles reaching from the
| Vistulas lower reaches near Borji-
NOV through Prasnysh. Edvano, Os-
sowiec, Shabin and away TO Olta and
| Kovno. This front "a already referred
| 10 as the left bank OF the Niemen river
and the right bank OF the BObr and
/ Narew. and the fighting with one
small exception is all west OF the line
| indicated by thee rivers. over much
| OF this section the Germans are acting
with a deliberation and an apparent
/ hesitation in strong contrast 10 the
| headIong character or their advance
/ on other sections. where they appar-
entity hoped 10 carry everything before
/ them in one magnificent dash. They
marched in the lightest possible or
| der and except near the Nistula. with
| out supports or organized rear.
| The following official statement
was issued Friday night at headquar-
| ters OF the Russian general staff;
! THE Germans are retreating along
! the whole front.
AT 9rasnysh they are abandoning
stragglers and guns. We have cap
tured 2.600 Germans, seven g-As and
II machine guns"