The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1915-07-22
ID NlR LAST WEEK
NIGH PRAISE AWARDED RE;
TREAT OF RUSSIANS
GERMANS SHIFT ATTACK

Retreat Of Russian Army and its Con.
sequent Strong Stand Produces
Favorable Comment From Military
Sources--Little Fighting Else
where. ~
"A Military Expert reviews the
war last week as follows:
When the history of the war is
written, it is certain that the retreat
OF the army of Grand Duke Nicholas
from the line along the Dunajec to
its present position along the Zlota
Lipa, the Dniester and across the
northern boundary of Galicia, will be
ranked as one of the worlds greatest
masterpieces of military manoeuvres.
Taken in flank and rear, it's supply
lines not only threatened, but being
actually cut one after the other, the
Russian army was forced to relax it's
grip on the Carpathian passes and be-
gin a retreat eastward toward the
San.
Out numbered by the combined
armies Of Germany and Austria, hope
lessly outclassed in artillery, in num-
ber and in calibre of guns, facing
with a limited accumulation of am
munitfon an apparently inexhaustible
reserve, the retreat was at first rapid,
and 1t was during this first period of
retreat that most of the losses in
men and guns occurred
In the first lull in the attack, oc-
casioned by the necessity of the Teu-
ton allies to bring up ammunition to
the front, the leaders of the Russian
army got 1t we'll in hand, all sem
blance of a rout ceased, and the re-
treat became much slower, thorough
ly we'll ordered and efficiently pro-
tected by excellent reargucrd fight
ing.
That the retirement after the first
stage was deliberate and without
panic is evidenced by the fact that
each defensive line was taken under
sound discretion and was not forced
as a result of an action.
The further eastward the Russians
retired the more stubborn their re-
sistance became. Along tho San line
and at Przemysl the Teuton advance
was held up, in spite of most desper-
ate attacks, for two weeks, and dur
ing that time the Russians removed
from Przemysl all ammunition and
supplies, sending them back to Lem
berg, SO that when the town was
, ing of.value.
Clinging desperately to the line Of
the Dniester, the retreat continued,
the Russians everywhere on their
front keeping in close contact with
their opponents and never losing an
opportunity to strike back with an ef-
fectiveness which proved how thor
oughly in hand they were, and which
inflicted on their enemies losses as
great as their own.
The definite check placed upon the
advance against Warsaw from South
ern Poland has caused the Germans
to redouble their offensive efforts in
the north, and from the Niemen to
the Rawka there has been, during the
period of inactivity in the south,
fghting of great violence.
1t is entirely possible that Ger
many will abandon her offensive in
the south, and after establishing a
defensive line along her present posi-
tion withdraw many of her troops
and send them to reinforce the line
In front of and to the north of War
saw.
This, indeed. may ALREADY have
been done and may account for the
increased volume of fighting in the
north. This fighting, however. while
severe, has not yet produced any re-
suits of particular value.
On the whole the net results of the
weeks operations must be regarded
as favorable to Russia. At the very
least calculation, she has gained a
much-needed rest, and every day of
comparatively inactivity is gain to
Russia in ammunition, which she SO
sadly needs, and is an opportunity to
nj hor
fighting since last February has made
necessary.
The Western Front.
On the western front the week has
brought practically no new develop
ments. There have been bursts of
activity from Nieuport to Switzer-
land, with no important result any
where. Around the cemetery at Sou
chef the lines have swayed back and
forth without advantage, but with
great loss OF life.
The most noteworthy incident has
been the success of the army of the
Crown Prince on the eastern slopes
of the Argonne. TIL German offense
In this section has assumed large pro-
portions, and II Is evident that a de-
termined effort is under way, the OBJ
tect Of which is the isolation OF Yer
du2ss The first step to bring this
about will naturally be to cut the
Chai railroad, the princi-
pal road supplying tie Verdun fort
resses, hnd 1t Is toward this road that
the e}German drive has been made.
81 a measure the Germans have 80
far met with success and have pene-
trated the French lines to a depth OF
about quarter OF a mile. French
counter-attacks have recovered Fart
of this; so the net gain is small. In
tense fighting Is still in progress,
however, not only at this point but
throughout the entire Verdun sector.
and tits not improbable that the next
few weeks will bring some interesting
developments.
The Italian Line.
On the italian front 1t is a rather
remarkable fact that during the last
two weeks the official reports ema-