The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-05-26
ITALY PREY IS CAPTURE
Entrance in War save. Eastern Gal.
icia From Austro-G Germans
Influence is Felt.
STRUGGLE MAY De SHORTENED
By J. W. n MASON

| By j. W. T MASON.
New York, May 26.-1taly's en-
trance into the war has already made
it's influence felt in the Russian cam
paign. The inability of the Austro-
Germans to progress east of the San
river is undoubtedly due to the dis
fractions of the italian situation,
Italy has probability saved Eastern
Galicia from recapture, for it seems
impossible the Tentonic allies can
now develop a sufficiently powerful
offensive about Przemysl and Lem
berg to compel the Russians to re-
treat into their own territory.
The Austro- German armies reached
the San river on May Is. They had
required only two weeks to drive the
Slaves out of Western Galicia, and
the latter were apparently in no con
dition to fight permanently staying
action. But after May IL the mill
tary situation suddenly changed.
General Won Mackensen seem to have
lost his initiative and the offensive
spirit passed out Of his armies. A
part of the Teutonic force crossed
the San north of <Przemysl, but all
coordination disappeared. There
were obvious delays. among the Ger
man detachments, sand while one
living was seen to be progressing an
other wing somehow foundered into
! difficulties. ~ 800: =.
Not on Offense. -.
| Nothing occurred on the Russian
| side to Indicate the Slaves were re-
sponsible for the check which .un-
doubtedly had been given to the Teu-
tonic advance. The Russians were
not fighting an offensive campaign,
and Petrograd evidently expected no
victories. For the first time since
1.-THE war began, the Petrogad CORE
spondents of London newspapers
openly confessed their pessimism,
after the Teutons arrived at the San.
While General Won Mackensen Was
meeting with what lin fact was his
initial setback since the Galician
drive began, Petrograd was preparing
the world to hear of further Slav re-
effect in advance.
| The situation, therefore, in which
Mackensen found himself at the San
was due to causes hot understood on
the Russian side. J
Now, the days Immediately follow
ing the arrival of the Austro- Germa RS
at the San were the same-is that
marked the suddenly critical situa-
ton in the negotiations between
Rome and Vienna. Austria and Ger
many must have become convinced
at that time that war with Italy was
inevitable and would come quickly.
So the San operations had to be cur
tailed in order to strengthen the Aus
trian defenses along the Italian Dor
der.
1t is not probable this was done
by withdrawing men from Macken-
sens armies. The Russians would
certainly have detected large
transfer of troops, and would have
been encouraged to attempt an Of
fensive of their own against the
weakened enemy. The fact that no
Russian counter-offensive was made
indicates ,Mackensen's sudden halt
was not due to dearth of men. T..
Ammunition Scarce.
Throughout the present war,
whenever armies have had sufficient
men, and yet have not been able to
advance, the reason has been a de-
ficiency of ammunition. It is proba-
BILE, therefore, that. General Macken-
sen has been halted at the San be-
| cause all his ammunition has not
been replenished.S The Italian sit
uation has necessitated great guam
titles of ammunition being concen-
trated near the frontier by Austria
and Germany, and Mackensen appar-
emily has had to get along with a
depleted supply. :: Petrograd dis
patches are now beginning to COM
ment on the alliance of the German
guns at the San. This is further
evidence that the ammunition ques-
ton is Mackensen's most . serious
problem. If future facts sustain the
probability that Germany and Aus
tria are feeling the ammunition pinch
the war will be materially shortened
Mrs. William Chichester will en-
| terrain the members of the Entre
Nous club tomorrow afternoon at her
RirchmOnt Reach summer home 4sAS4