New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-23
Russians Foil German Aim
by Avoiding Open Battle
M C,ble 10 Nc Tnbnne ]

Petrograd, June e. Dispatch 10
London Morning Post.")-The Rus
SLAMS continue to give ground and have
row retired upon Lemberg. The public
thoroughly appreciates the strategy IN
yolved in this succession OF retire
ments, none of which has been directly
forced. but all executed in good order,
in pursuance of he strategic principle
known as frustrating the Will OF the
enemy.
Numbers and time and space are
familiar factors in every strategic prob
lem. but the light in which all of these
must be viewed for a satisfactory solu-
ton is, in the will of the enemy. 1t is
precisely in this last indefinite but all.
important factor that the genius Of
great captains Of armies has mainly
been revealed. 1t requires a high order
Of imagination and a sort OF power OF
divination. The Grand Duke has plainly
analyzed the will Of the German SUI
preme command as aiming both TO Sc
cure the line of the Vistula and to de-
stroy Russia's main forces by compel
ling pitched battle. The Russian
task was, therefore, to avoid accommo-
dating either of the enemy's aims.
Russians Avoid Pitched Battle.
The latter has been evaded by a
steady retirement, not at bayonet
points, but quietly by night, after due
warning and thorough preparations.
The Germans confidently count now on
forcing a stand at Lemberg. There is
no reason for believing the Grand Duke
will accommodate himself TO the design
of the enemy here any more than at
PrZemysl
The Grand Dukes pursuance OF this
course Is entirely in the interests Of
the Allies in this coalition. Russia
hoped that a general forward move
ment into the vitals Of the enemy's
country could be made this summer
and Russia was prepared for her share.
The declaration in favor Of the con-
tinuance Of war Of position necessi-
tated the abandonment of Russian
hopes for the present Germany
promptly availed herself OF the oppor
tunity, heavily reinforced her ma
chinery Of war on the western front
and withdrew her trained men for use
on the eastern front. Against Russia
Germany has massed more than l,500,-
600 men. Austria's contribution
against Russia was numerically larger,
IN fact, more than 100000.
Russian Task to Gain Time.
The Russian task was, therefore, to
gain tire, which can only be done in
war by the sacrifice either of space or
lives. 81 ace, especially when il is in
enemy territory, is cheaper, and, as
Germany's object is TO smash Russia's
forces, a double purpose was served by
electing to sacrifice space in order TO
gain the time needle by the Allies TO
prepare for the final stage of this un-
precedented war.
Germany has advanced a couple Of
hundred miles into Galicia at a cost
of two onths' time and half a million
men. She is no Learer the attainment
Of either of her aims in this costly
Russia's losses after he
first mishap in the retirement from the
River Dunagetz have been dispropor-
tionately small In comparison with the
Germans losses, though Russia could
quite afford TO lose men In inverse pro-
portion, IL necessary.
Galicia has not yet returned 10 the
enemy's possession, and further heavy
losses must be incurred before IL does.
As for e sentimental objection TO the
sacrifice of even enemy territory once
captured, IL is naturally strong, but
men readily reflect that in
this war gains an losses must be reck-
Oned, not in territory, but in fighting
strength OF every kial until victory 10
Won.