New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-01
Austrians in Lublin
Cut Southern Line
of Retreat.
PURSUIT COSTS
GERMANS DEAR
Checked by Heavy Losses
in Stubborn Rear
Guard Fights.
CAPITAL NOW A SHELL
Everything of Value Removed
Attacks Along Narew
Front Beaten Back.

London, July 31.-The fate Of the
Russian armies in the Polish salient
still hangs in the balance, though in
dications are increasing the Grand
Duke Nicholas will succeed in with
drawing his forces practically intact
to the new positions prepared on the
Prest-Litovsk line. No official con-
firmation had been received up to a
late hour tonight of the evacuation
Of Warsaw by the Russian troops,
but that they are withdrawing east.
ward is certain.
The arrival Of Austrian cavalry at
Lublin, which is officially announced
from Vienna, shows that the south
ern line of retreat is entirely barred
to the retiring army, as Field Mar
shal Won Mackensen had previously
reached this railway.
There remains, however, the main
double track route through Minsk
and an equally good road from Ivan
gorod through Lukow and the north
ern line, which runs south of the
Bug River, to say nothing of in
Vulnerable vehicular roads which en-
ter the Polish capital from the east
Therefore, so long as Field Marshal
Won Hindenburg is prevented from
crossing the Bug from the north
east, it is believed Grand Duke Mich
olas has still an excellent chanca of
saving his whole army.
When the Russians do reach the pew
line of defence they will be faced by
another danger-that arising from the
advance of General Won Bulow's army,
composed largely Of cavalry, which is
now approaching the fortress OF Kovno
and is within three days march OF the
Wilma Petrograd Railway.
Resembles Manchuria Fighting.
The retirement, although described
by Petrograd as voluntary, is accom-
panied by very hard fighting, reminis-
cent of General Kuropatkin's retreat
from Liao-Yang, when he inflicted on
the pursuing Japanese losses greater
than his own. While the main army,
with the field artillery, is making its
way to the rear, infantry and cavalry
are protecting the fanks and making
repeated attacks. In this way a few
hours are gained, which are Of inesti-
mable value TO the retreating forces.
1t will probably be several days be-
fore the struggle is finally decided.
Nobody questions the fact that with
the capture of Warsaw the Germans
will score victory which will not only
put the Russians on the defensive for
many months. perhaps well into next
year. but which will also greatly
hearten the civilian population of the
central powers and release an army Of
one million or more men Tor an often
sive in the west.
By the occupation of Lublin, ninety
five miles southeast of Warsaw, the
Austrians have cut the Russians all
important means OF communication
connecting the whole Southern Rus
sian front between the Vistula and the
Bug rivers. The Russians have bat
tied desperately to prevent the Teu-
tonic allies from gaining possession
of the lvangorod-Lublin-C -Cholm rail-
road. which for some distance paral-
lels the Vistula River.
The Russians rushed 10 this front
new reserves and veteran troops whose
ranks had been recruited TO full
strength. These forces, although ex-
posed to a merciless artillery fire,
Tough. valorously and administered
serious checks to the Austro-German
forces. 49,.
Until a few days ago the Allies con-
sidered the Russians defence Of the
Lublin-Cholm railroad one OF the hope
full features OF the campaign in the
East.
Military Road Aids Germans.
Control of the Lublin-Cholm rail-
road will afford the Austro-Germans a
means Of quickly massing troops at
any point desired, and will deprive the
Russians of one of their main avenues
of retreat. A military railroad built
bv the Russians south from Lublin
during their occupation OF Ga!icia
through a region which, for strategic
reasons. had hitherto been left with
out railroads proved of great advantage
10 the Austrians in solving the prob
lem OF communication.
IL was argued that the conduct OF
this retreat without great loss would
entail the necessity OF the Lubhn
Cholm front holding firm. Now that
il is broken, quick action on the part
of the Russians becomes imperative.
as also do, the stemming of the IN
creasing German forces driving from
Kovno and Suwalki toward Wilma, the
CAPTURE of which would cause the
northern line 70 retreat.
With these Developments Great Brit
ain is greatly concerned. Some sections
of the newspapers are seizing the op-
portunity TO emphasize Russia's task
and press for conscrlption here ~ tns