Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-19
OPTIMISM! OF RUSSIANS
IS NEVER DIMINISHED
Greater Sense OF Security as to Ont
come Than at Any Time Since
Campaign Began.
VISIT COVERS ENTIRE LINE
One Really Decisive Blow Against
Germans. 1t Is Predicted. Would
Dcmoralize Whole Austrian Force.
Teutons Stake Heavily on Moves.
ny STANLEY wAsHn,RN.

WARSAW. July Isl have just re-
turned from q three-wceks' trip cover
ing practically the entire Russian line.
from the Rukowina army or tho Dneis-
ter to tho army protecting Warsaw
From the day left the Headquarters
OF General lvanon until my return
here my optimism at the entire stu
alton has steadily Increased. until the
last six armies visited me, "A greater
sense OF security as to the ultimate
outcome than at any time since The
iuiician movement started.
ny the courtesy Of General lvanof,
! was given permission 10 visit any
point in his army, and being accom-
panied by Prince Oblensky as guide, |
was able to visit positions and trenches
OF each army at points which seemed
10 he typical Of the operations. In the
course OF three weeks ! motorcd nearly
LOO miles and met and talked with
probably 200 officers at Il dozen points
along the line. The first impression
formed is that. with the exception of
Inc army which received the first
stroke of the German attack in Ga
iicia, and small portion OF its left
hciShhor. thes" armies canno1 be con
aldcrcd demoralizcd or defeated.
The two thanking armies certainly
have been able TO hold their own: they
probably can resume the advance when
greater strategy just!nes their move
mcnt IL is now unimportant whether
they go forward or back, as each has
over sixty miles to move in without
sacrificing greatly important stratcric
hoHltionS. The next army, lying APP
nr"Ninatcly between the head OF the
Hlo'a-l.ipa and Il point west of SolkaI.
received considerable shaking up in
me Thlician campaign, but its condi-
non Was never demOraliZed II is now
IN position Of fair strength, which it
probably viii be able to hold, and
which perhaps, will become its last
line But there Is still a margin Of
forty miles. with an excellent dcfen-
slre opportunity available for further
fctlrcincnts without affecting the sit
uation
Inc conditions of this army are inn
proving, ana il may become so that
Whch certain conditions are fulfilled
1t could probably advance, if necessary
IN from thirty 10 sixty days.
LEMHEHG CAN Hs RE'rAKEN
~ ABOUT THIRTY DAYS
IL certainly is the opinion of all tho
Younger officers that when the condi
IONS are effected. LcmbcrE can be re-
taken in thirty days.
me next army occupies a position
extending in general direction from
Sokai TO point somewhat southeast
o. thoim | am satisfied this army
can defend itself cxcc,lentIv ana cana
advance under aid of favorable opera-
IONS elsewhere. ! do not consider.
no"cNcr, 'hat there is much proha bill
NY OF inc severe attack against this
army as the country behind is cy-
iremeiy difficult and COMMUNICATIONS
by ronds Is horrible. In addition
| there is no sufficiently important stra -
tegic aim to Justify the enemy in TAX
ing the risk of wandering obout
The focus Of the entire situation
taiiS on the next army which extcnds
! *hSh'iy 10 the southeast Of LubIin
rms army was shattered in the Rus
sian center In The Galician attack. Inn
II practically Is rebuilt and roorp,n
lzed' ana Is commanded by n di0crcn,
general ''
From the time left Tho Ruleowi,,
front | received reports. practicplIv
from every front that hostile forcca
were disappearing by picceueal. aud
they arc believed TO he headed .f.,in.t
This army, which is protecting f,holm
and with the ncighborinc army IN rho
west of Luhlin. It now becomes prct :
~ obvious The enemy is rcncbinr the
real point of his aim in the whole cam
paiGn Oh which must rest the succcss
or nature of the entire operation. This.
apparently. is the seizure OF The Iub.
I'm Railway in the center paralyzinr
the whole southern front and break :
ing In between the two groups to en-
deavor TO force the evacuation OF