New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-31

the unguarded centre at Warsaw in an
attempt to seize this great fortress town
before Russia could get back from Galicia
sufficient force to check the thrust.
This drive began in the first days OF
October, was directed by Hindenburg and
almost succeeded. German troops actually
reached the suburbs of Warsaw, and Its
fall was expected. But Russian reinforce
ments arrived in time, the German fank
was turned and speedy retreat was
necessary. Without any real battle the
Germans swiftly and succinctly flowed
back across their own frontiers.
Momentarily, however, they had achieved
their purpose in relieving the Austrians
The Russians, having sent corps to War
saw, were compelled to retreat behind the
San. Przemysl, which had been besieged
was relieved, and for the moment Austria
was saved. AS an example of daring and
successful strategy the first drive at War
saw. although it failed to take the city,
cannot be praised too highly.
LODI (Nov. 19)
The pause in the Galician campaign, how
ever, proved only momentary. Whlle the
Germans were retreating from Warsaw
the Russians renewed their offensive, re-
crossed the San, reinvested Przemysl, pen
etrated to the suburbs of Cracow and ap-
preached and even passed the Carpathlan
barrier, sending Cossack raiders over into
Hungary. A new effort to save Austria
was inevitable.
The second effort was far more consid-
cradle. 1t began in the early days of No
vember and was made by great German
army, many corps being recalled from the
west. where the Battles of Flanders were
ending and the whole campaign falling to
trench war.
Russian forces, pursuing the Germans
retreating from Warsaw, had approached
the Posen and Silesian frontiers and were
across the Wartha. Hindenburg now gath
cred up his armies, which were facing the
Russians west of the Wartha, moved them
rapidly over strategic railroads to the
north and sent them in upon the Russian
flank in a desperate effort to cut the Rus
slams off from Warsaw, envelop them and
either surround them or drive them south
away from the railroads.
Again the Germans almost succeeded
At one time they actually interposed be-
tween the Russians and their base, cutting
the railroad, northeast of LODI. For days
desperate struggle went on about LODI.
In the end, after suffering terrific losses,
the Russians were saved by reinforce
ments brought from Warsaw and were
able to get back behind the Bzura-Rawka
rivers west of Warsaw and there to re-
pulse all German attacks. BY December
1 the front in this sector had become fixed
on lines it was to hold until July.
Przemysl and the Carpathians (Dec. to May).
Once more the Russian armies in Galicia
had been compelled to retire in consequence
of a German offensive in Poland But this
time they came back only to Tarnow and
took up a strong position behind the Dun
aiec-Biala rivers. Henceforth their main
effort was directed at forcing the passes
of the Carpathians and breaking into the
Hungarian Plain. To do this it was es-
sental to reduce the fortress of Przemysl,
which commands the main railways and
roads of Galicia. From January to May
1 the Galician campaign was marked by a
slow but steady advance of the Russians
toward and through the mountains, halted
frequently by desperate Austro-German
offensives, for German troops and officers
were now sent to stiffen the shaken Haps-
burg forces.
Austrian resistance was materially
strengthened also by the recall of three
corps which had been dispatched to Serbia
to share in the invasion of that kingdom.
This invasion had passed Belgrade and
seemed about to crush Serbia, when the
recall of Austrian troops made possible a
new Serbian offensive, and the Austrian
invading forces were terribly beaten in the
first days of December about NalleVo ana
driven out of the kingdom.
Przemysl fell on March %, and imme-
dately thereafter Russia made her final
bid for decision in the east. The surren-
der had eliminated $4,000 Austrian
troops and freed many more Russians. In
the opening days of April the whole Rus
sian battle line along the Car pathians
swept forward. For four weeks the fight
ing was terrific and the progress favorable
to the Russians. But by May they were
brought to a complete halt, having still
failed to enter the Hungarian Plain. Their
hope of a decision had also failed. They
had been unable to crush Austria, as Ger
many had failed to crush France. 1t was
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