New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-04
CARS FORCES
FACE NEW TRAP
Crossing of River Would
Mean Flanking of
Russians.
TAKE FEW PRISONERS
Germans Get Only 400 In
Observation-Disclosures Rally
North of Wilma.

LONDON, sept. 3.-lhe Germans
claim to have carried by assault the
fortified bridgehead at Lennewada,
on the Dvina River, between Fried
richstadt and Riga. This is con-
sidered the most critical point on
the Russian front, for should the
Germans succeed in crossing the
Dvina the Cars troops would be
compelled TO evacuate Riga, and
their positions between the Dvina
and Wilma and even southwest OF
the latter city would be jeopardized.
The Germans do not yet claim
that they have crossed the river,
defended by reinforced army
under command Of General Ruzsky,
who has proved himself one Of the
greatest strategists Of the war and
who brought the previous German
advance on Warsaw 10 a stop on
the Bzura River. re
Military critics believe that the
Russians will make a stubborn de-
fence on the Dvina. Should they
fail here the German feet would
gain command Of the Gulf Of Riga,
and by landing troops at Pernau
considerably shorten the march TO
Petrograd, which is understood TO
be the ultimate objective Of the
German higher command.
Russians Rally Above wilma.
In view OF the Importance Of the bat
tie raging along the lower Divine. the
fighting elsewhere loses some Of its in
terest, for wherever they are the Rus
slams must keep their eyes on the
north. Grodno, the last Of the western
fortresses which the Russians evscu-
ated, apparently proved an empty shell
to the Germans. as they captured only
4Co prisoners after street fighting.
To the northwest Of wilma the Rus
sians are on the offensive, and while
the Germans declare that the Russian
counter attacks have been a complete
failure. it is said in Petrograd that the
counter offensive seriously threatens
the German left flank and communica-
tions with the army Of Lieutenant Gen
eral Won Eichhorn.
The Russian centre is still retiring
through the msrshy districts. taking
a toll of their pursuers every day. The
Russians are Offering resistance 10 the
Austro German offensive in Gslicis, and
southoastward Of Lutsk they hold
front Of some fifty miles, interseeted
by hills, woods and rivers, which af-
ford a splendid cover for a defensive
army.
Plans Still in Doubt.
There is still some doubt as to what
the Austro- German intentions are in
the southeast. Military critics are d.
vided as to whether there will be an
advance on Kiev or whether an attempt
will be made to project wedge be-
tween the Russian armies and Ru-
mania. which would make IL a serious
matter for the Rumanlans 10 refuse
longer the German demands for a free
passage Of munitions over Rumanisn
railways for the Turks, who are re-
ported TO be very short Of SHELLS.
GERMAN OFFICIAL.
The Berlin Official statement says:
Army Group Of Field Marshal Won
Hindenburg: Our cavalry carried by
assault the fortified Lridgi head at
Lennewada. northwest CT Friedrich
stadt, which was held by infantry
Of the enemy. Yesterday they took
prisoners three officers and $50 men,
and captured one machine gun.
On the battle front northwest and
west OF wilma the Russians attempt
ed to arrest our victorious advance.
Their counter-attack was a complete
failure. and cost them extraordinar-
lily heavy losses. Southeast OF Me-
recz the enemy suffered a severe re-
verse. Between the Augustowo
Canal and Swielocoy our troops
reached the Niemen.
At Grodno our assaulting party
succeeded in crossing the Niemen
with a rush, and. thanks to their
speed in action, captured the town
after fighting from house to house
-Four hundred prisoners remained in
their hands.
General Won Gallwitz broke down
the resistance Of the few Russian
rear guards which were holding the
high road from Alekszyee southeast
10 0delsk and Swisloez.
This army group took altogether
more than 5000 Russian prisoners.
one cannon and eighteen machine
guns.
Army Group Of Prince Leopold:
Our column, pursuing the enemy, is
still fighting hard TO win It's way
out Of the marshy district north OF
Pruszany.
Army Group OF Field Iarshal Won
Maekensen; During the pursuit Of
the enemy we made ourselves mas
ters Of the Jssiolds River at Silnek,
Bereza, ka4ueke, and in the region
of Antopol AuStrn. Hum "a xt.o fow...