Omaha daily bee., 1915-09-09
NICHOLAS TAKES
COMMAND OF HIS
ARMY AND NAVY
Gar Assumes Personal Direction Of
Conduct of the War and Sends
Grand Duke to the
Caucasus.
FLOOD HELPS THE RUSSIANS
Swollen Streams Make impossible
Barriers for Germans at Several
Parts of War Zone.
BIG MOVE IN WEST EXPECTED


LONDON, Sept. s.-Emperor Nich-
olas Is now In supreme command OF
the Russian military and naval
forces in the fighting zones, and
Grand Duke Nicholas. who as COM
mander-in-chief Of the Russian army,
Was one OF the most conspicuous fig
ures Of the European war. has been
transferred TO the Caucasus. Lon
don is speculating as to what section
OF the long eastern front will be Sc
looted by the emperor for his head
quarters.
At the present moment Courland
appears to be the critical sector of
the line. General Ruzsky is in COM
mand there and Field Marshal Won
Hindenburg apparently is not maxi
Ing any great progress against him.
The central sector has been held by
Grand Duke Nicholas and efforts of tho
Germans TO drive wedge through the
swamps are proceeding very slowly. The
Galician wing, in command of General
NfeAeAAg - hbhlnH HIunDOTn stand
against the Austrians and Germans who
are engaged In tremendous effort TO
drive the last Russian from Austrian
soil
Floods Help Russians.
Weather conditions, which In past wars
have proved an efficient ally OF the Rus
slams are again intervening on their side
dispatch published In Copenhagen
vtsaxIr
swollen by autumn floods to such an ex-
tent that they promise to form an Inn
passabie barrier to a further advance of
the invaders This dispatch represents
the Immediate objective OF the Austro-
German campaign TO be the seizure OF
the entire railroad system from Riga to
I.emberg. thus ensuring control OF lines
OF communication for a further penetra-
ton OF White Russia.
Activity ON western Front.
On tho other fronts events point to a
concerted movement by the ailiea The
French commander-in -chief, ueneral
Joffre. haa returned from a visit TO his
italian colleague. General Cadorna. Brit.
ish warships and the guns along the Bel
CLAN coast have Joined the chorus of
artillery fire along the western front. All
| this gives support 20 the growing belief
In London that an offensive movement
! OF some nature will soon mark operations
OF the allies In the west.
The eastern counties OF England were
again visited by raiding zeppeiins last
night. The dirigibles caused some fires
/ and number OF casualties. concerning
the extent OF which there has as yet been
no official announcement
Grand Duke sent TO Caucasus.
PETRoGRAD, Sept. S--(via London. y
Grand Duke Nicholas has been trans
ferred to the Caucasus by Emperor Nich-
| olaH. The emperor took this action on
assuming command OF the military and
naval forces of Russia.
In transferring the grand duke he ap-
pointed him viceroy OF the Caucasus and
commander-in-chieR Of the army in the
southern front
The text Of the Cars order announcing
his assumption OF command issued and
signed by the emperor, is quoted as fol-
lows;
To-day have taken supreme command
of all my forces OF the sea and the land
armies operating In the theater OF war.
with firm faith In the clemency Of
God and with unshaken Assurance OF final
victory. we shall fulfil our sacred duty
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