Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-31

east toward the Besserpbian frontier an
but thin strip Of oaiicia was recon-
quired, after having been occupied By
Russia since September.
Russian disaster was explained By the
lack Of ammunition and by the great
superiority Of German artillery Prob
! ably this explains the rapidity Of the
debacle, but the Russians were clearly
outnumbered, outgeneraied and out
fought
THE THIRD DRIVE AT WARSAW
(JULY)
Once Gallcla was cleared the full ex-
tent OF German purpose was revealed.
Glance at the map and Il will be seen
that Russian Poland extends into German
| and Austrian territory. which grips It
something like pair Of jaws. Warsaw
the westernmost fortress OF the Russian
defensive line, is outfanked by German
East Prusslan territory and by Austrian
Galcian districts
Very shortly II became clear that the
plan OF the Austro-German commanders
was TO attack Warsaw In front, along
the familiar Rawka- Bzura front and at
the same time to attack the defensive
lines that covered the railroads from
Kiev, Moscow and Petrograd to the Pol
lsh capital II these lines In the rear fell
before Warsaw was evacuated all the
Russians west OF the closing jaws would
be cut Off. surrounded, ultimately cap
tured; the greater part OF Russian mili-
tary strength would be eliminated.
II Warsaw we're evacuated in time the
Russian front would be thrown back
from the Vistula to the Bug, the Austro-
German allies would gain a tremendously
strong defensive line, having conquered
most OF Poland. and they might expect
that Russia would seek peace, or at least
be compelled to conduct a relatively
harmless defensive operation far within
her own territory for many months.
The main object was, OF course, to dis
pose Of the Russian armies by enveloping
and capturing them. This would in ell
probability mean a decision: but short OF
this, II the Russian armies were COM
pletely routed with Austrian and Ger
man terrltory1freed OF invaders, with vic
torious German armies standing in Bel
gium, Poland and northern France, Ger
many might expect to hear from her foes
some proposals for peace, which would be
based on the full recognition of her con-
quest and achievements,
These lines we're written with the fate
OF Warsaw still In doubt. The Austrian
and German Jaws are still closing stead
ily behind Warsaw, but the Russian re-
sistance is desperate and so far sustained.
At the moment Germany Is as near TO a
decision, as she was in France In Sep
tember OF last year. But II the Russian
armies hold, as the French did at the
Marne, or escape. as they did in the
great retreat, Germany will miss the
great decision, II she takes warsaw.
w. ALLIED oFFENsIvEs.
The first campaign in the west ended
with the battles OF Flanders on Novem-
ber 10. II left the allied armies victor
ious, to the extent that they had parried
the great German design to dispose Of
France. It left them holding lines which
had endured the shock Of terrific attack,
but 1t left them shattered and to some
extent disorganized. The first British
| expeditionary army had disappeared In
casualties. France had lost at least
! three quarters Of q million of men. II
was necessary to reorganize all the all
| lied armies to attempt TO overtake the
| Germans, whose preparation and fore
sight had almost won them the decision.
Once this reorganization was achieved
! and preparation began TO 20 forward u
| was necessary to attempt offensive oper-
| ations not alone to get the Germans out
| OF France. where their hold upon the
mineral and Industrial districts was Grip
| ping the French, but also TO relieve the
pressure upon Russia. and thus assist
the great Russian offensive in Galicia.
These attempts stretch from January to
| July and are, with one exception, an un-
| Interrupted series OF local successes, yet
wholly barren of any but the smallest
| local advantage. Great as is the place
! they have occupied in the news of re-
cent months, tremendous as have been
the losses to the forces engaged. they
have left the battle lines hardly changed
and require no detailed examination.