Evening star., 1915-02-19
ALLIES BRING PRESSURE
UPON FOE IN THE WEST
Favored in Fighting, They Seek to
Prevent Germans From Go.
ing to East. s
TEUTONS CLAIM SUCCESSES
Report Capture of Several of Enemy's
Villages-Petrograd Declares
Foe Seeks to Cut Warsaw.
Communications.

LONDON, February 1o.-All
reports agree that the Austrians
at last have flung the Russians en-
tirely out of Bukowina. The Rus
slams claim that they retired i'll
good order, and in order to
shorten their line, but they do not
seek to deny their retreat.
German military officers in Ber-
lin doubt whether much remains
of about five Russian army corps,
which were engaged in the recent
battle in the Mazurian Lake re-
gion of East Prussia. While the
Russians may have saved some Of
their artillery through quick re-
treat, it seems certain, says Ber-
lin, that Russian troops to the
number of at least 10000 are no
longer to be reckoned with by the
German armies.
For several days past the fight
ing in the western arena of the
war would seem. Judging from the
reports reaching London, to have
been in favor of the allies. The
Germans have been counter at
tacking violently. but they appear
to have had heavy losses. The
pressure of the allies has no doubt
been timed to keep the Germans
busy during developments in the
east and to prevent the withdraw
ing of forces for the relief of the
eastern line, as was done in De
cember.
Roumanfa's Position.
Several weeks ago the occupation or
Bukowina by the Russians and the
presence of the Austrians near the
Roumanian frontier was hailed rs a sit
uation which should justify the entry
of Roumania into the wat on the side
of the allies, but today with Bul1owina
once more in Austrian hands, the situa
tion again grows interesting. Newspa-
per correspondents have ceased predict
ing when Roumania will take up arIns.
but sympathizers with the allies have
not given up the expectation that she ul-
will take this step.
Eastern Situation.
The situation in the northern ex-
tremity of the eastern battle line is not
so clear as 1t was few days ago. Ter
ritory on both sides of the East Prus-
sian frontier has been desolated. and
areas both in Russia and in East Prus-
STA have been converted into a sort of
present-day Belgium. Petrograd speaks
of the flight Of the Russian population
before the German advance. while EN-
peror William. eulogizing the victory
of Field Marshal Won Hindenburg, Ia
ments the depredations of the retreat
ing Russians.
No Great Battle Fought.
Apparently no great battle has been
fought since the Russians began their
retreat toward the River Nienlen. Petro-
grad insists that engagements since
seem to indicate that the Germans
have not advanced across the f1fty-nile
strip of territory lying between tie
Niemen line and the East Prussian
frontier.
On the other hand the Germans claim
and are celebrating a notable victory
over the Russians in East Prussia, in
,luding the taking of no fewer than
81, 900 prisoners.
German View of Fighting.
That the Germans have occupied
in the Russian province of
Kovno Is the declaration of the Ger
nan official statement issued today.
rhe enga gements of the pursuing Ger
mans with the retreating Russians to
he northwest of Grodno and to the
,orth of Auchswola are nearing an end.
I is claimed by Berlin, but the state
nent continues to say that the battle
o the northwest of kolno is contin
villages south of Myszyniec il
S declared From the region south or
he Vistuls In Poland Berlin claims
here is nothing to report
Russian Withdrawal.
A dispatch from Roumania to tn.
Daily Mail gives details of the Russic-,
sithdrawal from Czernowitz and south
,rn Bukowina, as received from a
Russian staff officer who said:
The Austria forces were overwhelm-
ngly superior, but skillful generalship
abled the Russians to escape without
,eayy losses. The Russians in retreat
ollowed the mountain paths and back
.oads, which in some places were
blocked with four feet of snow.
''The Russian rear was constantly
by Austrian Tyrolese troops
m snow shoes, who gained the noun
ain SUBMITS and rolled great masses
n rocks down on the Russians, and
hey kept up constant sharpshooting
veil
'Other Austrian detachments worked
round on the flank of the retreatipg
ausstans They felled trees acrops the