Middletown transcript., 1915-09-18
TUG OF WAR ON
EASTERN FRONT
Battles Raging From Riga to the
GaIIiCian Border.
RUSSIANS CLAIM SUCCESS
Germans Big Effort Expected To Be
Made Against Wilma and Dvinsk.
Serious Engagements In Prog
ress In That Direction.

London.-There is still no sign of
waning in the battles which are being
fought along the eastern front that
now runs almost directly north and
south from Riga to the Roumanian
frontier. From Riga southwark to the
Galician border the Germans and Aus
trians, who are continually receiving
tions by railway and river, are en-
deavoring to force their way to the
Dvina and the main trunk of the inn
portant railway lines.
The Russians continue their often
sive and, according to their accounts,
German offensive is making slow but
steady headway, particularly along the
road to Slonim and Pinsk. Elsewhere
the German official reports daily re-
count the capture of few thousand
prisoners with machine guns.
Next Big Movement.
The Germans big effort, however,
1t is expected, will be made against
Wilma and Dvinsk, westward of which
town heavy engagements are being
fought. Having reached the Dvina at
Friedrichstadt and driven the Russians
across the river the Germans are in
better position to advance on Dvinsk,
as there is no danger of any outfiank-
ing movement. The slowness of the
operations probably is due largely to
the condition of the country and the
heavy roads.
Every days delay is giving the Rus
SLAMS a breathing space and enables
them to make preparations for greater
resistance on chosen lines protected
by marshes and swollen rivers.
The Russians are increasing their
activities in the Caucasus, and it is
believed that the arrival of Grand
Duke Nicholas will be the signal for
more important operations, which will
lessen the burden of the Allies who are
trying to force the Dardanelles. No
report has been received from the lat.
ter front for upward of week from
the Allies. although it is apparent
from the Turkish reports that there
has been a considerable amount OF
fighting. An optimistic rumor, how
ever, is again afoat, probably due to
the statement recently issued by Lord
Robert Cecil. under-secretary for for
eign affairs, that the Allies are not fal
from a great success.
On the West Front.
There has been little or no cessa
tion of the artillery engagements OF
the western front. A few isolated at
tacks by German infantry have take1
place, but, according to Paris, have
been repulsed, and there have beer
further air raids and much boml
throwing
ITO the north Of Arras, in the sec
tor of Neuville, the struggle was con
tinued BY a cannonade on both sides
and the throwing of grenades. Their,
was a bombardment of the most vic
lent character to the south of tn
Scarpe, in the region of Roye, and t,
the north Of the Aisne, between Paiss.
and Craonneville.
"A new attack by the enemy agains
our advince posts at Sapigneul wa
repulsed, like those which preceded II
ITO the south of Leintrey our al
tillery operated effectively against tn
positions of the enemy. An assault
undertaken by the Germans was in
mediately checked by our artillery an
infantry fire.
There is nothing to report fror
the rest of the front.
Enemy aeroplanes dropped a fe'
bombs yesterday on Compiegne, Ou
aeroplanes bombarded effectively acre
plane sheds and hangers of the Gel
mans at Brayelle."