Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-22
Petrograd Now Believed Safe From
the Menace of a General
German Advance.
TEUToNs CONTINUE PURSUIT
Retreating Russians Being Hard
Pressed and Heavy Losses in
Men and Guns Are
Expected.
BERLIN. September 22,
via London. AGO p.m.-The
capture of the Russian city
of Ostrow was announced
today by the war Office.

LONDON. September p, II so
a.m.-Special dispatches from
Petrograd agree that the Russians
have withdrawn safely from the
Wilma salient, the strategic value
OF which was considered so great
that the Russian staff felt justi-
fed in risking some Of the best
troops to defend it to the last pos
sible moment.
In their withdrawal the Rus
slams are said to have destroyed
everything of military utility, as
has been their practice since the
gigantic retreat began.
Heavy Losses Probable.
While the main army probably is
safe. IT is hardly likely the whole Rus
sian force will escape without heavy
losses in men and guns. Field Marshal
Won Hindenburg's cavalry, which was
expected to complete the encircling
Smorgon and Molodechna. On the
Eilna-Lida Slonim flank the German
advance is proceeding steadily. but
Prince Leopold's progress is slower.
come to a pause beyond the Pripet
marshes.
If the Russian retreat is to be stop
ped successfully the swiftest movement
mans must reap the full advantage of
their efforts within a week.
Predicts Successful Retreat.
That the Russian army in the Wilma
region will be able to effect a success
full retreat is the opinion of the Times
Petrograd correspondent, who says that
the army has reached a point thirty
miles from Wilma.
The Russians" says the correspond
ent. made an effective stand on the
Eiliya river. which. after the loss of
the railway, secured the Russian re-
treat by road. But in the face of the
enemy's constant efforts to cut the Rus
sian communications, it is not yet safe
to predict the escape of the Russian
forces, which are fighting a series of
successful rear guard actions on the
Niliya northwest of Molodechna which
have arrested the German advance
from the north
Thinks Petrograd Is Safe.
Another correspondent of the Times
who spent fortnight with the Russian
Gen Ruzsky's northern army consd-
rrs serious German advance against
f"trograd utterly out of the question
at this season of the year and declare.
that IF the evacuation of Xilno is .f
fected safely the worst crisis on this
front viii have assed
The correspondent says ne is con-
Nihced that the Germans suffered muc,,
Cieater iosses than the Russians and
ives the testimony of an American
Dr Hurd. who has been working with
me Russian army on the Grodno front
or ten months. that the losses in that
army have been incredibly small since
ne re,reat started. and who expresses
'he belief that proba bly, the same con-
dit'ons prevail in the other Russian
armies.
Holds Russians Still in Peril.
BERLIN. September 90. by wireless. 70
Sayville. y. Y.-Maj Moraht. military
expert of the Berliner Tageblatt. states
that the position of the Russians be-
tween Wilma. Minsk and Sionim is ex-
tremely dangerous. Quoting from his
article. the Overseas News Agency saws:
1T is probable that the Russian
troops which have been defeated in the
hattle around Wilma are SO exhausted
and morally shaken that they will be
unable to fight way through Gen
Won Eichhorn is already in their rear.
while the armies of Prince Leopold and
Field Marshal Won Mackensen are rap
idly approaching from the south. ready
to close the ring.
Maj. Moraht asks Lord Kitchener
pointed questions. He asks whether
this surprising quickness of Germa n
movements is rapid enough for Lord
EjtCheOer'S taste after Sf. apt
that the Germans were now advancing
only one mile day, as compared with
five miles formerly. He also asks
whether German strategy. in Lord
kitchener's opinion. has failed en-
tirely-