Omaha daily bee., 1915-05-05
VIENNA TELLS OF
DASH INTO GALICIA
AustrO-aerman Troops Had Been
Concentrating for Three Weeks
Preparing for Movement.
THOUSANDS OF RUSS ARE TAKEN

VIENNA. May l.-(via LondonD
War bulletins issued by the Aus
trian and German army headquarters
and posted in Vienna yesterday and
today bring news OF the Austrian
German victory over the Russians IN
western Galicia.
A large Austro-German army had
been steadily concentrating before
Cracow for the last three weeks. with
the idea OF making a new offensive
movement. All available Austro-
Hungarian troops have been quietly
transferred during this time TO the
Dunajec front and for a fortnight
past an unbroken stream OF troop
trains has been pouring eastward
from Frankfort. Berlin and other
German railroad centers. Thus WIS
warning given that big events were
impending in the east. Newspaper
correspondents we're permitted to
telegraph that a new offensive on the
Russian front was in preparation.
and even TO intimate that the blow
would fall neither in the Mazurisn
lake regions nor in the Carpathians.
Closer Indications. Of course. we're
out OF the question.
How Campaign Was Planned.
Final plans for this movement were
approved at a conference held In Berlin,
April = between General Won Falken-
hayn, chief Of the German staff, and
Field Marshal Conrad Won Hoetzendorf.
chief OF the Austrian STAFF. General
Mackensen, commander Of the German
ninth army, who came from the front IN
Poland. also was present az the Berlin
conference. He left for the front 20 take
command Of the now army that same
right after receiving his final instruc-
tons So far as is known Field Marshal
Won HindenburE aid not attend the Ber-
lin council OF war, although he visited
German headquarters with General Mack
ensen shortly previous to this.
II Ia too early 20 discuss the full MILL
tary effect Of this Victory IN Galicia. but
Il is the opinion OF Austrian observers
that the German and Austrian Etrategists
got the jump on the offensive which
the Russians worc believed tn he planning
and OF which their campaign In the Car
pathians was thought to have been pro
liminary.
The number OF prisoners taken by the
Tetfonic allies mentioned In the first
report IL noticeabiy small. but the ex-
perts here expect that the total number
Of men captured and the amount OF war
booty will grow rapidly.
A significant feature OF the reports Of
fi,is victory II the reference to the pierre
irg Of the front OF the Russian army
The Russian commanders up to the pres
cnt time usually have been able TO avoid
. breach IN their lire by falling back be-
fore th& lire broke.
sonthsrn WSnw stormea.
correspondent OF the Neue Erie
Tsresso Of Vienna. IN the theater OF the
war has sent che following dispatch con
eernIns tho battle Of Sunday IN West
Gsiicia:
The Austro-Hangarian offensive sue
ceedcd with surprising rapidly. The Rus
flan occupied naturally strong positions
on the punajoc and the Biala. which
had been strengthened with every irnag-
Unable method Of Qualifications. They fele
themselves absolutely secure. After a
searchlng artillery preparation. exceeding
in intensity anything which has occurred
on the northeastern front, the Austrians
and HungaTians advanced Sunday on the
southern wing. They stormed at the first
attempt the Russian positions along a
front OF moro than forty kilometers
fkWenty-fcur miies). stretching from the
B'aia river through coriioe far into the
Carpskhian mountains. Their assault was
80 flerca that the Russian line broke Inn
mtdlaleiy. Many theousands OF prisoners
were taken. as we'll as an inestimabie
quantity Of equipment. supplies. cannon
ana machine guns.
AZ the same time on the northern
wing anolher nccessful advance was
carried out" the viennese correspond
euE continues. at this point Austrian
ana Hungarian troops crossed the Duna-
jac IN spite Of terrific opposition. stormed
one Russian positions and took over 1000
prisoners.
Other brilliant successes aiao are re-
ported from the Carpathlans"