Evening star., 1915-02-23
AUSTRIANS REPORTED
TO BE IN GRAVE DANGER
Division Repulsed Near Krasne,
Checking Enemy's Movements,
Says Petrograd.
FIGHTING GOES ON IN NORTH
Slavs Confident Present Defense Linz
Cannot Be Penetrated-Loss
of Corps Not Regarded
as Catastrophe.

PETROGRAD, February e.
via London.-Making claim to
marked successes in the Carpa-
thians and to having defeated
the German offensive campaign in
the north, which never emerged
from its period of preparation"
Russian staff officers took an op-
timistic view today of the out
look along the whole front.
The Russian 10th Army, which,
according to an official report by
Grand Duke Nicholas, the Rus
sian commander-in-chief in the
field, lost one of its corps in the
last big battle in East Prussia,
now stands at bay along the line
of the Narew, Bobr and Niemen
rivers within Russian territory.
Advance Is Stopped.
The German advance from East Prus-
sia has been stopped. owing largely
to the flooding OF rivers and the melt
ing Of snow. while the attempt to cross
the Bobr river has been thwarted. A
new battle line has thus been formed
in the north, along which there is un-
interrupted fighting.
On the other hand, operations in the
Carpathians are developing rapidly and
the Austrian right flank is now threat
ened by the offensive movement. Near
Krasne, thirty miles east of Lemberg.
the Russians repulsed an Austrian divi-
sion. thus putting a check on the move
ments of Austro-German forces which
were attempting to concentrate at
Stanislau.
Situation in Poland.
The situation in northern Poland.
however. is regarded as OF greatest i'm
mediate Importance. The position of
the Germans near Ossowetz is consid-
cred critical. since they are under at
tack from the heavy guns of the fort
ress and are unable to bring up their
own heavy artillery, owing to the poor
roads.
A stubborn fight on the road to Lom-
"a was won by the Russians. with the
result that. the important point of Ed
The only location in that general vi
cinity still in dispute is Przasnysz. fifty
miles west of LomZa. According to
Russian staff officers the Germans have
gathered a large force near this point
and are expected to attempt an ad-
vance.
German Formations.
Along the whole front the Germans
have been proceeding in six separate
groups-the first in the direction of
the second toward Grodno,
the third around Ossowetz. the fourth
in the district of Lomza, the fifth in
the direction OF Przasnysz and the
sixth near Plonsk and Nowo Georgi-
ewsk All these groups are keeping as
close as possible to the railroads on
account of the almost impossible con-
dition of the highways. Communica-
ton between these groups is maintain
ed by means of cavalry.
A general survey of the whole north
ern field of operations is said to show
that the Russians have retired to Il
prepared line and are able
to stop the German advance wherever
IL is decided to accept battle under
conditions which are deemed the most
favorable. Russian officers say it will
be impossible for the Germans to
break through the present line of de-
lenses.
NO FearS 1Or LemOef&.
No fears are felt here for the safety
of Lemberg. The town of Haiicz, with
it's extensive fortifications. is expected
to provide an effective barrier to the
Austrian advance toward Lemberg.
The Halicz bridge over the DReister is
the only point at which the Austrians
erous river Between Haliez and Lem
berg the country is level plain.
which would be difficult to defend.
On account of these conditions IL is
believed the Austrians will deliver their
offensive movement northwestward,
through country less strongly for
.ified.
Russian View of Losses.
Grand Duke Nicholas lifts the cur
ain frankly and truthfully, al he has
lone on previous occasions when sue
,ess has not been won," says the Rech.
The enemy's forces were so great that
he tenth army could not Withstand
hem. The position or our forces be
anne difficult account OF the lnck
# railroads and the presence Of deep
NOV, which prevented the arrival OF
We had either to
.enf a battle which would have entailed
rreat losses of men without profit to
ourselves, or retreat to a position in
which we could hope to meet the enemy
Common sense dictated the latter
ourse When the Germans observed
vr determination they threw them
elves on our flank, hoping to destroy
,ur entire army.
Corps Is Laid Open.
The rapid retreat toward Kovno laid
men one Of our army corps. which was
arthest to the left. With unusual cour-
re and stubbornness this glorious corps
ought an enemy which outnumbered 1t
osny times. All honor and glory to
hose heroes who sacriced themselves to
ave others"
Not Viewed as Catastrophe.
Commenting on the communication from