Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-09-13
VIENNA ADMITS
FORCES HURLED
BACK BY SLAVS
Austrian Official report Tells of
Armies Witnurawlng in Gaiicia
Before Superior Enemy
Troops.
sKIDEL TAKEN BY GERMANS
Western Front Scene of Much
Activity, Presaging Beginning
OF important Fighting.
100000 TEUToNs IN EAST

VIENNA, Sept. 12.-(via Lon
don.)--Austrian forces that have
been engaged with the Russians
along the Sereth river, south OF Tar
nopol, in eastern Galicia. have been
withdrawn to the heights east of the
Stripa river before superior enemy
forces" it Is stated in the official
announcement of the Austrian war
office today.
Western Armies Active.
LONDON, Sept. 12.-The western
front, with continuous artillery en-
gagements, occasional infantry at
tacks and the probability that inn
portant events now pending, will
soon begin, attracts almost as much
attention as the eastern battle fields,
where the Russians and Austro-Ger-
mans are contending for the mastery
of railway lines, the possession of
which will make the victors more Sc
cure when the time comes to go into
winter quarters.
Russ Offensive strong,
For some time yet, however, the
east is likely to be the scene of the
more sensational actions. The Rus
slams are putting forth a strong Of
fensive on either wing and are maxi
ing an equally stubborn defensive in
the center, where Austro-G ermans,
although gaining ground daily and
coming closer to the vilna-Rovno
railway. are meeting with increasing
opposition.
Fighting I'm Streets.
Each village street and road Is proving
the scene OF sanguinary engagement
For example Skidel town Immediately
east of Grodno. which at last has been
captured by the Germans. was the center
OF battle lasting several days with al
ternating success
The Germans attacked the town again
aud again, massing heavy artillery for
the purpose, and according to the Berlin
official statement did not succeed IN
overcoming the Russians until last night.
Throughout the great marsh district
from this point southeastward to Rovno.
similar contests are taking place. The
Austro-Germans are trying by every
means in their power to force their way
through to the Vilna-Rovno railway be-
fore tho heavy rains set in, and put an
end TO the fighting for the time being.
In the narrow strip of Galicla between
the Sereth river and the BessarabIan
front, the Russians have been strongly
reinforced and are apparently we'll sup
piled with guns and ammunition. They
report their third victory here over the
Austro-German forces, bringing their
total OF prisoners captured during the
week up to 1900. without mentioning the
loss of men and guns
AuHtriRns Admit Setback.
The Austrians admit that they have
suffered a setback In this region, in the
statement that they withdrew their front
on the Sereth to the heights east or the
stripa river before superior enemy
forces"
On the northern end of the line. south
east OF Riga, the Russians also are on
the aggressive, with the result that the
Germans have made no further progress
against the Dvina river line
Some Of the British military writers be-
lieve that the Austro-Germans have
reached the limit OF their penetration Of
Continued on Page Two. Column Two.)