The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1915-06-26
HEAVY FIGHTING IN BOTH EAST
ERN AND WESTERN EUROPE
LEMBERG FALLS BEFORE THE AUS
TRO-GERMAN ADVANCE
MAY HAVE STRONG BEARING UPON
FUTURE COURSE OF WAR

The past week has been marked by some
of the most furious fighting Of the war up
to the present time, both in eastern al
western Europe. Germany has acquired
gains which are considered of great strate-
gical Importance, and which may have an
important bearing on the future course of
the war
The capture of Lemberg, the capitol of
Galicia, in Austria, was accomplished by
the Austro- German forces on June 23d
after one of the most remarkable drives
in history. For some two or three days
before the evacuation of the city by the
Russian forces it had been a conceded
fact that Grand Duke Nicholas could not
possibly hold out, and it is believed that
he continued stubbornly fighting during
this time merely to cover the withdrawal
Of his stores Of war munitions into Rus
sian territory This movement he is be-
ieved to have carried out in mastery
manner. The capture of the city is there
fore largely barren Of results to the Teu-
ton forces so far as the capture Of sup
plies is concerned. 1t is also believed that
no comparatively great number of pri-
sOners have been taken, the estimate being
10000; this figure, however, covers the en-
tire period of the Galician campaign.
The drive Of Russian forces during the
past week was accomplished with most
astonishing rapidity, and has evoked the
wonder of military men. Early in the
week the Austro- German forces succeeded
in cutting off large division Of the Rus
sian army northwest of Lemberg along the
San River and forcing it across the border
into Russian territory, thus removing it as
a factor in the defense Of Lemberg. The
main portion Of theAustro- German army
was hurled with irresistible fury against
the Russian center defending the city
Gen. Mackensen has been in immediate
command Of the German army; Emperor
William, however, is on the field in person,
and is believed to have directed every
movement Some are inclined to believe
that the great military genius Of Germany
is none other than the Kaiser himself, and
that is largely due to his strategy and in
cessant energy that such harmony Of
movement prevails among the combined
forces of Germany, Austria and Turkey.
1t is a remarkable fact that German pol
icy executed by German officers seems to
dominate the entire fighting force from
the Baltic to the Dardanelles.
The election of Russia from Galicia will
rid Austria entirely Of the Cars forces,
and wrest from Russia all the territory
she acquired in her triumphant sweep to-
ward Berlin during the early months of
the war 1t will also place Russia on the
defensive along her entire front.
It is remarkable fact, which every one
must recognize, that Germany at the pre-
sent time, almost year from the opening
Of hostilities, occupies territory belonging
to her enemies in both the east and west.
Her eastern line is 682 miles in length
1t is believed that the Teuton forces will
now establish themselves in easily de-
Tended positions along the Austrian bor-
der, and heavy detachments will be
thrown against the French and English
in the west and the invading Italians on
the south 1t would not be surprising, al
so, were an army now thrown against
Warsaw in a re-attempt to take that
stronghold at a time when the Russian
army is discouraged and demoralized from
the almost continuous defeats of the past
seven weeks.