The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1915-08-21

Germany Surrounded by Wall of Steel
Great Military Skill Shown
The retreat Of the Russians in Poland
continues and they are steadily falling
back from one line of defense to another.
The Germans seem bent upon finishing
their work before leaving the Russian
front.
The movements Of the week have cen
tered around the taking of Kovno, which
was accomplished on August II. This
powerful fortress, considered one of the
strongest along the Russian front, came
under the personal eye of Field Marshal
Won Hindenburg, and was subjected to
direct attack scarcely a week.
The six great forts defending the city
were simply blown into fragments by the
incessant battering of Germany's great 42-
centimeter howitzers and vast number of
smaller field pieces.
This is the most important German vic
tory since the fall of Warsaw, and fore
casts the surrender Of long line of forti-
fed positions.
Wilma will, perhaps be the next point Of
attack. The Germans already occupy GER
tain positions along the line of the War
saw-Petrograd railway.
There is much speculation as to whether
Won Hindenburg will launch campaign
against Petrograd, the Russian capital A
Petrograd newspaper, in discussing the
matter, says:
"There is an enormous difference be-
tween the war Of 1912 and the present con-
fict. The Germans are hurting against
Russia forces equivalent to seven such in
vasions as that Of Napoleon and supported
by the latest technical appliances, whereas
in 1912 the Russian army in the latter
respect was fully on par with the French.
'FThe Germans are infinitely better
posted as to the position Of Russia than
Napoleon, and they are incapable Of re-
garding Moscow as the key to the empire.
They know that Petrograd is the political
center, and it is only half as far from Riga
as Moscow It is only a nights railway
journey between Riga and Petrograd, and
the distance Of two hundred and sixty
miles over good roads and two lines Of
railway does not offer insuperable Difficult
ties This is no second war Of 1912, but
something far more serious.
This evident anxiety BODIES i'll for the
Russian empire.
Portion of French Populace Restive
1t is a significant fact that a consider
able element Of the French populace are
becoming so restive under the "nibbling
tactics Of General Joffre that an agitation
has been started for his removal. They
want a man Of action, who will launch a
general attack.
That both England and France expected
a powerful offensive against their lines
soon after the fall Of Warsaw is evident :;
but this has so far failed to materiahze.
The present Balkan situation presents
uncertainties, and there is a great division
of opinion as to whether Germany will
next turn against the western front or in
the direction Of Constantinople. She may
throw an army against both simultaneous
": but this is hardly likely.
The consummate military skill Of Ger
many in being able to hold her western
front during the past months against the
armies of two powerful nations, with a
comparatively small force, has caused the
amazement Of the entire world
Italians Comparatively Inactive
But little has transpired Of Importance
along the Italian border during the past
week A mere glance at the map will sui
fee to show how little has really been ac-
complished by this Italian invasion. In
fact after many weeks Of fighting, the
Italian armies are only just well across
the border and their further progress is
blocked by lofty range of the Alps.
Turkeys Position Grows More Perilous
The position of Turkey evidently is crit
ical, in spite Of German assurances that
her Notifications are impregnable. With
the Russian fleet inficting great damage
upon her ships in the Black Sea- with
French and English submarines harrass-
ing in the Sea Of Marmora, with the allies
and their feet hammering necessarily at
the Gallipoli peninsula and the Dardan-
eIes, and with the Balkan states DlocKlng
the way in the north to German relief, the
question arises, How long can she hold