The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-06-26
GERMAN ADVANCE
NEARING LEMBERG
Russians areA Being Pressed
Back Across the Frontier
in GaIiGia.
ACTIVITY ALONG WEST FRONT
Allies Making Gains in Northern
France and BeIgium-Both Sides
Losing Heavily.


four hours OF fighting in GaIicia has
developed nothing to stem the Austro-
German advance toward Lemberg from
the west and northwest and tonight
Berlin claims that the Russians are re-
treating over their own frontier toward
Tarnogrod, about four miles from the
Galician border.
This means an invasion of Russian
territory at a new point, but, accord
ing to military observers here, it may
spell ultimate advantage for the Rus
slams in that a general Russian retire
ment northward into Poland would di-
vert General Linsingen's attempt to
crush the Russian center near Zuraw-
ma, which would effectively sever the
communications of the Russian army
in southeastern GiIicia and Bukowina.
The military writer's here say that the
real danger zone from the Russian
standpoint is in the Zurawina district
and along the Dniester.
Converge on Lemberg.
According to Berlin, the AustTo-Ger-
man forces have battered through
Niemerow, thirty miles northwest of
Lemberg, and are advancing toward
Jaworow, which is only twenty-five
miles to the west of the Galician cap
ital. Three great masses of Austro-
Germans thus are sweeping from the
San toward the capital city and the
prediction is made that the decisive
battle, if one is fought, will take place
in the vicinity of Grodek, where the
British military observers consider
that the Russians should benefit by
the lake country.
A series of desperate encounters is
described by the French war Office in
that sector along the battle front in
France comprising the territory to the
north of Arras-Aix Roulette, Souchez,
Melville St Vast and other towns
which for weeks past has been the
scene Of fighting of most determined
character.
Shells to the number of 100000 were
poured into the ranks and trenches of
the Germans and at various points the
cOntending forces fought with bayonet
and grenade
Fighting Desperate.
For two days, says the French re-
port, the actions have been numerous
and desperate; the artillery duel vio-
lent and continuous. The French have
carried several lines of trenches on
the road from AK Noulette to Sou
chez; they have advanced in all direc-
tons toward SOuchez, gaining their
ground by what is recorded as a series
OF brilliant assaults
Heavy Fighting in West.
London, June 17.-For the first time
in weeks, there has been heavy fight
ing over comparatively extensive
line of the British front in Belgium
and France. The Berlin communica-
ton makes note of it and describes
it as an Anglo-French movement syn
chronizing with the Russian reverses
in Galicia.
To win a mile of front and then to
lose it before terrible German counter
attacks was the experience of the Brit
ish Tuesday near Festubert. In a
statement frank, if brief, Field Mar
shall French records this incident, but
does not state the losses, which must
have been heavy on both sides.
German Horde to Lemberg.
Reuters Petrigrad correspondent
says the Russian military critics esti-
mate the total Austro-German forces
operating against the Russians as not
less than forty-fve German and TWEEN
ty-six Austrian corps (about $500, O00).
1t is asserted that fourteen or fifteen
German army corps 100000 to 100000
mem are operating on the LubaczoW-
ka-Wisznia front in Galicia in addition
to the Austrian troops, while it is be-
heved probable that the Germans have
seven army corps (280,O0O mem in the
Baltic provinces
The correspondent adds that the
Reich says it anticipates that the Aus
tTo-Germans will attempt a direct ad-
vance from the west upon Lemberg,
combined with wide sweeping move
ment to the northeast in the direction
Of Rawa.
Udine, Italy, June 17.-Italian troops
are continuing with great vigOr their
attacks on the Austrian positions at
Gorilla. The Austrians are defending
the town from the height of Podgora
to the west and from invisible trenches
extending from Podgora to Mount
Fortine, In the Isonzo valley.