Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-03-04

IN MASSED
FORMATION
Ausho-Cerman Troops Attack
Repeatedly In This Manner
and Suffer Heavy Loss.

LONDON. March 3.-In their deter
mination to relieve Przemysl and drive
the Russians out of Galicia. the Aus
tro-German armies, which for some
weeks have been on the Galician side
of the Carpathian mountains, have dur
ing the last few days made repeated
attempts to break through the Russian
entrenchments. but without success.
Since Sunday last, when in massed
formation they threw themselves
against Russian troops holding strong
positions, the Austro- Germans have at
tackled repeatedly, in spite of the heavy
losses which this kind of fighting en-
tails
esterday, according to the Russian
official account, the Austrians deliv-
cred furious attacks between the San
and Orbawa rivers. only to be thrown
back as they were in their previous
efforts, while the Germans made sew
eral fruitless attempts around Ko-
ziouwka and Rojanka, at the latter
point losing two companies, which
were surrounded and annihilated.
No estimates have been published
OF the losses sustained by the German
armies in their efforts to break through
the Russian lines at these places, but
they are believed to have been very
large, as the Russian positions were
almost impregnable.
Regarding the Austrians' attempt To
outflank the Russians in Eastern Cali
cia, two Russian official reports have
stated that the Austrians suffered Sc
we're reverse and lost in prisoners alone
more than 5000 men. The Russians
also captured a number Of guns and "A
large quantity of transport material.
On the other extreme, in North PO-
land, the Germans have either assumed
the defensive or are retiring, except
at Ossowetz. where they continue TO
lombard the fortress. Berlin reports
anofficially that at this point the Ger
mans have succeeded in silencing two
forts. Their attempt to approach the
city, however, has been repulsed by
the Russians
The Germans, while claiming sue
cess near AugustOwO, where they cap
tured 1,5O0 prisoners from among the
Russian forces who tried to cross the
Bohr river, admit that they have with
drawn their advance guards south of
Myszyniec and that the Russians have
been feeling their way forward to the
of Przasnysz.
The fact seems to be that the Rus
SLAMS are advancing along the whole
northern line, but very slowly because
of the mud which impedes the move
ment of guns and transport wagons.
They have been able to reinforce their
armies at every threatened point and
are now considered to be in as good
position as the Germans, who have
left their railways behind them.
SO far as the west is concerned, the
French offensive in the Champagne re
gion continues to be the outstanding
feature Of the campaign. The French
troops have now reached the highest
points on the ground north of Perthes
and BeansejOur and must be drawing
near positions from which they will be
able to shell the branch railway that
runs to the rear of the German line
and maintains communication between
the German forces before Rheims and
Verdun.
There has been fighting at other
points, but none to compare in impor
Lance with that in Champagne.
With the allied fleet again lombard
ing the Dardanelles and the Rus
slams pushing their offensive in the
the near east is again com
ing into the limelight. The Russians
have scored q distinct success by the
capture of the Turkish port of KhOpa
IN the Black sea. from which the Turk
sh army in the Caucasus drew part
)f it's supplies.
Unofficial reports say that besides
he ships which entered the Darda-
lelles and are bombarding the inner
orts some of the fleet are throwing
shells overland into the gulf of Saros,
20 that the Turkish garrison will be
subjected to fire from two sides. The
Turks are concentrating strong forces
or the defense of COnstantinople and
he Balkan States are watching the
'perations with intense interest. The
success or failure of the allies attempt
o open the straits means much to the
Balkan nations.
The king of Greece has called
rand council, including the premier,
Ormer premiers and other statesmen
or full discussion of the situation.
The chamber will later hear the report
+ the council.
Great Britain has not yet replied to
he American note addressed to both
er and Germany, regarding the naval
var zone and fod shipments.