New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-12
RetireS from Mazurian
Lakes Before Army Re-
infOrced from BZura.
GERMANS WITHDRAW
IN CENTRAL POLAND
Preparations Under Way
Point to Early Evacua-
tiOn of LODI.
Rs Gable to The Tribune.


petrograd. Feb. 1.-THE Russian
columns in the far north have begun
retreat from the Mazurian Lake region
OF East Prussia toward their own bor-
ders before German force augmented
by immense number of troops. which
until recently were sharing in the des-
perate lunges at the Russian lines west
Of Warsaw.
To-night's Official report refers la
conically to this rctrograde movement
in these words: "Our troops, keeping
the enemy in check, are retiring from
the Mazurian Lakes toward our from
tier"
The German offensive is strongest at
two points against the troops which
have just been reported as threatening
Insterburg and against the column
operating north OF Johannesburg, which
marks the southern end Of the MAJ
urian chain.
The German columns in Russian
Poland north of the Vistula. also rein
forced by troops from the Bzura and
RavEa front. have developed adj
vance i'm Northern Poland against the
positions recently captured by the Rus
slams .hat has brought them ns far as
the region OF Serpec.
Germans Pour Westward.
Meanwhile the Germans along the
Rawss and Bzurs rivers are pouring
men through LODI westward to Kalicz
and Thorn. whence they arc being
rushed over the ret OF German and
Austrian strategic railways to strength
en- further both the army in the north
and that now battling along the Car
psthian passes.
At LODI. the capture of which by the
Germans on December vor Hinder
burg recently called "the turning point
in the present campaign" every kctiv-
itv points TO a speedy evacuation. The
report here. in fact. is persistent that
the Germans already have abandoned
the city. but this lacks official con
firmation. However, it is known that
the German authorities have forbidden
the inhabitants of Lodz to stand III
the streets while the troops are passing
through to the westward or even Watch
them from their windows, and have
been removing all the stores Of wool
from the big factories 10 Germany.
Breakdown Looked For.
Tho stubborn. successful Russian ad-
vance on the German left, IN the Dend
of the Vistula. near the mouth OF the
Bzura. increased Russian activity In
the Mlawa region, the intermittence OF
Austro- German artillery demonstra-
tions on the Pilica and Nida rivers, COW
crinp the withdrawal of troops all
noint TO a speedy breakdown OF the
Germans effort in Poland.
It is now clear that the German or
slaught at Bolimow was demonstra-
tion intended TO divert attention from
the redisposition OF the Ksiser's forces
in Poland and prevent a transfer OF
Russian forces from mid-Poland TO the
Carpathians prelude to the hnai
abandonment of their hopeless Watcn
on the Bzura and Rawks. FOR some
time mysterious movements have been
noted among the German armies on
re upper Rawka and the Pilics. A
Gradual withdrawal of hospitals and
Store depots and steady shifting OF
regiments indicated the trend OF the
new movement. Some troops, u .ap-
pcars. were sent to Bolimow to aid IN
The big demonstration, but the greater
number to Austria.
The Russians fresh advance over the
Carpathians, the danger OF their for-
ward movement westward and north
ward in the lower Vistula basin and.
further, the threatening attitude OF
Rumania had aroused the Germans to
an energetic counter activity. Their
pressure on the Bzurs and Rswka. hold
ing out a continual menice toward
Warsaw, was lately important for the
Germans, but now that the main Rus-
Continued on page 2. column