Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-09-10
War Situation.

The dispatches bearing upon the
war situation during the past few
weeks have dealt principally with the
advance Of the German army against
the Russians, with the Russians re-
treating steadily backward further
and further into their own territory.
While the news Is mo- SPECIFIC
enough to warrant definite conclu-
sions as to the exact situation, there
appears to be no reasonable doubt OF
the fact that the Russian armies or
the north have been pretty we'll de-
moralized. It appears that the Ger
mans have not only captured hun
dreds of thousands of prisoners; but
they have taken from the Russians
so many of their larger guns and gen
eral war munitions as to leave them
very little with which to make fur
Their resistance.
The indications are that the Ger
mans are threatening the big seaport
of Riga on the gulf Of that name, and
also that they are planning to go on
to st. Petersburg, but this Is only SUR
mise. Because of the v%astness Of the
conquered territory to be occupied In
the event of a continued advance, and
because Of the approach Of winter.
there is reason to believe that the
Germans will consider it the part Of
prudence not to proceed too far from
their base at the present time.
Within the past few days there has
gone out from London, Rome and
other points. statements to the effect
that efforts are being made to start a
simultaneous big push at all sur
rounding points. General Joffre, the
French commander-in-chief, HI been
down in Italy to inspect the Italian
troops, and give instructions as to how
the Italians should proceed. The
British have allowed information to
go out of the sailing Of their mighty
fleet; but have given no intimation as
to its destination, and there is reason
Of course, to assume hat the great
British army, Of which so much has
been said from time to time, will be
ready to move with the others.
The "big push" movement on the
part Of the Allies is taken to mean
that they realize that Russia is almost
to her knees and a tremendous DEM
onstration is necessary to compel the
Germans and Austrians to call, off
their forces to defend their western
and southern frontiers.
AS to whether the proposed big
drive" will amount to anything. If 1t
is really being attempted, Is a matter
Of very considerable uncertainty. 1t
is a fact that heretofore the Germans
have been able to meet all attacks
against their fortified lines in France
and Belgium, and in not n Of these
attacks has it developed that there Is
any weakness here. because Of the
extraordinary exertions that were at
the same time being pushed on the
eastern front.
All along there has been very con-
siderable talk Of what the British
we're preparing to do, and some of this
talk has given the impression of the
final organization Of a most over
whelming and invincible army. There
is absolutely no doubt Of the fact that
the British have given most excellent
accounts Of themselves in each and
every engagement with the Germans;
but at the same time it must conceded
that in each of these engagements
and all along the Germans have been
giving an equally good account of
themselves.
Under all the circumstances, there
fore, ever if there is a big drive in
immediate prospect, there is very lit
tie reason to believe that there is go
ing to be anything decisive about 1t.
The probability is that there will be
immense slaughter on both sides, and
of course it is possible that n side
or the other might prevail; but great
slaughter is the main thing we are
looking for,