The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-06-22
[EMBERG UNTAKEN
BUT RUSS. FORCES
HARD PRESSED
Line Of Retreat Cut By Capture Of
RaWa Ruska
LtMBEUG ALMOST SURROUNDED
Russian Army in East Gaicia Seems
To Be In Critical
Position.

Berlin, via the Hague, June 22.-
| The Russian retirement from Lem
berg may be said TO have begun. The
Russians, who have been defending
tile city from the north have fallen
back and Gen Mackensens left wing
is attacking from the north and
threatening to enyelop the city.
London, Tuesday, June 22-Rawa
Ruska, according to Berlin official
report, is the latest Russian position
in Calicia to fall into the hands of the
Austro Germans, and as the Teutons
also are reported to be fighting east
of this town, the Investment Of Lenrs
berg must be so nearly complete that
the Russians either must withdraw
from the Galcian capital or leave
portion of their forces there to be be-
sieged
The German General. Won Macken-
sen, is reported to have seized the
hallway connecting Rawa Ruska with
Lemberg. thus cutting off the retreat
northward OF the Russians. Accord
ing to the latest news from the Aus
trian headquarters the Teutonic al
lies are now within nine miles of the
limits of Lemberg.
Considerable wonder is expressed
by the German military critics over
the Austro-German advance of the
last few days. They had expected
the Russians to make a firm stand
along the Grodek line. Instead, how
ever, Grand Duke Nicholas the Com
manderin-Cnief of the Russians, not
only retired quickly from this posi-
ton, but. evidently recognizing his
dangerous pTedicament, also ordered
the withdrawal of the Russian forces
from the south of the Dnester River.
Berlin, June y, (via London.)-
Emperor William, it was announced
officially, by the German war depart
ment today, was present at the battle
| of Beskid for the possession OF the
Grodek line. These Russian posi-
tions are to the west of Lemberg, the
Gallcian capital.
The situation at Lemberg is evi-
| IDENTIFY precarious. AS General Won
Mackensen today seized the railway
between Lemberg and Rawa Ruska,
which is the main line of travel north
ward This. it is considered, gives
| the Russians the alternative of pre-
| pairing for speedy evacuation or trying
to hold the city, with the risk of be-
ing enyeloped by Won Mackensen's
army sweeping around southeast
ward and forming a junction with
| General Linsingen's forces.
Grand Duke Nicholas, the Russian
| ommander-m-Chief. apparently has
| begun to realize the threatening
| dangers, for he has ordered the with
drawal of all Russian forces from the
south bank of the Dneister. Military
| opinion here is that he cannot eXtri-
cate his huge armies without heavy
| losses in men and material.
Rome, June 21-After the severe
storms of Saturday and Sunday. the
general attack upon the Austrians 30
sitions was resumed today with in
creased violence.
The Italians are now encountering
stronger and better organized resist
ance from the Austrians. The defens
es of the Austrian troops are numer-
Gus and cxcellently prepared In
many cases they are cut into the
rock, and the artillery is well conceal
ed AT other points false trenches
and positions to deceive their antag
gonists have been constructed by the
| Austrians.
Vienna, June q. (via London.) -
The following official bulletin con
corning the operations on the Italian
front was issued today by the War
Office:
After the easy repulse of minor
Italian attacks near PLAYA, Ronchi,
and Monfalcone it was quiet yester
day on the Isonzo front Here and on
the Carinthian frontier enemy artil-
lery unsuccessfully bombarded our
fortifcations.
In attacks east of the Fassa Valley,
undertaken by at least one brigade
and everywhere repulsed, the enemy
suffered considerable losses. Before
one vantage point we counted 175 IT.
allan dead.
Tonight the following official bull