New-York tribune., 1915-03-23

ice covered rivers, all would ldNoi All
attempt TO obtain n decision in Poland,
now similar undertaking had failed IN
France and Belgium.
As maximum Of such an offensive
Germany might hope TO dispose OF Russia
70 drive the routed armies Of the Gar be-
yond the Vistula, the Niemen ana the
Narew, and complete the conquest OF 70
land. Russia. thus crippled. might make
peace. She certainly would he put out OF
the war for the time being, and with inc
coming Of spring Germany could turn 10
the west again.
AT the very least German high command
must have believed in November and De-
cember that the advance in Poland would
enable the Austrians, strengthened by
German corps. to clear Galicia, relieve
Przemvs. carry the war into Southern
Poland and remove the danger of Ru-
manian Intervention created by Russian
successes along the Pruth.
Unfortunately for the Germans, the
weather failed them. Napoleon was
ruined by an early Russian winter; Will
lam II suffered 10y an open winter which
turned the whole country about Warsaw
into a bog and thwarted the most gigantic
combination Of military history. At LODI
the Russian army was within two steps
of annihiation. The defeat Of the MaSur-
ian Lakes laid the whole northern frontier
of Poland open. But mud and marsh
spoiled the best laid plans of German COM
manders.
Thus it has turned out that two Of the
greatest local triumphs Of the war, those
of LODI and the Masurian Lakes, have
been without serious consequences. At the
Bzura. the Rawa and the Nida the German
and Austro- German advance upon War
saw and the Vistula line has been halted.
The Russian forts east of the Masurian
Lakes have checked the victors of the
great battle to the west. German pursuit
here has been abandoned; Russian ad-
vance is now reported.
But what is most important Is the fact
that all the tremendous efforts Of Ger
many in Poland and East Prussia have
not relieved the pressure upon the Aus
trians. Despite all temptations, reverses,
disasters. the Russians have held fast to
their position along the Carpathians, have
been able to keep their grip on Przemysl
and have now captured it. This capture
spells the final defeat of the German win
ter campaign in the east. At the close it
is Russia, not Germany, that is gathering
the spOis.
The fall of Antwerp relieved a German
army, which pushed rapidly forward to
reach the Channel ports. The taking Of
Przemysl releases an even greater Rus
sian army. To what point it will be di-
rected is a matter of conjecture. If 1t IS
transported directly west toward Cracow
( it may drive the Austrans west of the
/ Dunaiec in upon Cracow and threaten the
front of the whole AuStro-German force
IN Poland from the Nida to the Bzura.
This is the plan that is generally expected
and may easily compel the evacuation of
Poland.
On the other hand, this force, more than
100000 strong, may be sent due south to
the Carpathans. With its arrival Aus
ltrian forces along the Carpathians would
probably have to 90 back over the noun
tains and once more a Russian host would
sweep down into the Hungarian Plain,
this time freed from any apprehension
for their communications.
Finally, the army which has taken the
last Galician fortress east Of Cracow may
be sent south into Bukowina to COM
plete the reconquest of this crown land and
by a subsequent invasion of Pennsylvania
persuade the wavering Rumanians to cast
, their lot with the enemies Of the two kais-
ers. Whichever of these three courses
, is followed, it must be that the conse-
ouences will be grave for the Austro-Ger-
, man alliance.
But whatever the military consequences
the moral effect of the Russian success
cannot be exaggerated 1t is sweet solace
, to the nation which was defeated at LODI
and the Masurian Lake. 1t gives addi
tional emphasis to the sound Of the Anglo
French artillery before the Dardanelles
1T will awaken new and uncomfortable
! echoes alike in Ballplatz and Wilhelms
strasse. Not less momentous will be It's IN
Auence in Rome in Bucharest, in Athens
A few weeks ago German press bureau;
announced that Russia had been beaten tC