Omaha daily bee., 1915-05-20
DEFEAT OF RUSS
CAUSES GLOOM
IN GREAT BRITAIN
Official Dispatches from Petrograd
Admit Retirement Along the
River San is Still I'm
der Way.
SOME GAINS FURTHER EAST
Rain and Thick Mists Cause Practi.
cal Suspension of Operations
in the West
CABINET CHANGE IS INEVITABLE

LONDON, May 1s.-England, dis
tracted by the political upheaval
which is expected to end in a coaIi-
tion government, finds little time 10
interest itself in war news, but never
theless the Russian situation is oaus-
ing feeling OF pessimism.
The official Russian announce
ments do not wholly confirm the pes
simistic special dispatches from Pc
trograd. but they admit that the
Russian retirement along the river
San is still under way. At the same
time they claim that the Russians
have been able to resume the often
sive on the left bank OF the vistuia,
a movement which may result. II is
explained. in outflanking the Ger.
mans attacking Prxemysl.
ROut Not Complete.
The Austrian rout in east Galieia il
not yet complete. according TO I.ondou's
Information, but the impression a grow
Ing here that the defeat of the Teutonie
allies In this section has been severe
enough TO prevent the complete success
or the wholesale Offensive movement
which they initiated along tho eastern
front
Military experts in London today are
oharaoterizing the retreat OF the Rus-
sian Third army as a Enasterly feat
which must have cost the vietors dearly.
Offensive is Really Defensive.
The Russian offensive in east Galicia
stands out today as in reality a defen-
sive movement made necessary by the
fact that the Austrians constituted a
serious menace 10 the left flank OF the
Russian armies In Galicia-
In France and Belgium bad weather
again is impeding operations, continuous
rain and thick mists making vigorous ac-
ton impossible. The British north OF
La Bassee. and the French north OF
Arras. has held their recent gains. but
they have not been -aAlA--ss- -naovs for
Italy seems no nearer war today than
10 did yesterday. but persistent reports
are reaching London that the Teutonic
in Rome have been handed
their passports and will leave today.
several OF the London morning news
papers make definite announcement of
the resignation OF Baron Fisher. first sea.
lord. The different party organs agree
that the formation of a coalition govern
rnent ~ Inevitable
RusSiRns Lose All Ground onsn.d.
As the result Of the latest German tac-
tics. says dispatch 20 the Mail from
Petrograd. all that had been ao-
complished by the Russians IN the Car
p&thians has been undone and months
nave been added to the duration Of the
war.
IF the German plans had succeeded
II General Linsingen's army
had been as fortunate as General Won
Mackensen's, II the Austr1ans in Buko-
wilma had been triumphant. IL the Baltic
Invasion had resulted in ths capture of
Riga the blow would have been terrific.
Fortunately. a. matters now stand, the
enemy has not accomplished anything
really decisive.
The general idea OF the German ofsen.
dive was 20 advance upon Lenborr from
ihree directions. Won Mackenssu was In
attack from the west. breaking throuRh
he Russian front; Linsingeu was 20 forca
rukhalka pass and move swiftly up the
stry valley; Archduks Eugene In Buko-
Ftna was TO turn the Russian left. An
General Won Mackensen aIons
van successful In attacks, LinsinReuN be-
ng held back, while the archduke's army
sss soundly beaten.
The leading Russian military authority
suggests that the Germans intend 10 fol-
ow up their success with an advance on
Warsaw, but for this they win need more
Continued on Page Two. Column TWo,5