Evening star., 1915-05-06
Great Results Are Expected in
Both East and West
in Few Days.
Won HINDENBURG DRIVES
TOWARD PORT OF LIBAU
Reverses for Russians Reported at
Practically All Points Where
Fighting Goes On.

BERLIN. May 6.-The military de-
velopments of the last week have had
visible effect on popular feeling in
Berlin. which Is decidedly more opti-
mistic. Operations in the Russian
province Of Courland, on tho Baltic; in
Galicia and in Belgium Indicate that
German forces are taking the often
sive on a large scale and that greater
events are to be expected.
1t is understood In well informed
quarters that the German troops in
courland are now nearing the port of
Libau. which probably will be attacked
by land and sea. Field Marshal Won
Hindenburg himself is in command
there. His design appears to be to
take Libau. and probably Riga as well,
and use these ports as bases for haras-
ing Russian communications with
Petrograd.
Russians to Resist.
The Russians already have sent from
kovno reinforcements for resisting
these operations. the results of which
must soon be apparent. The Russians
also are attempting to resist the Aus
tro-German movement eastward in
dalicia, having brought up reinforce
ments from the Carpathians for that
purpose. Information received here.
however. indicates that the Russians
are being swept along before the Teu-
tonic allies or else captured, as were
the previous defenders of the Russian
positions
Austrian reports state that there is
in progress general Russian retreat
extending from the positions to the
south Of Dukla pass, in Hungary,
where weeks ago the attacks upon an
impregnable Austrian front, entailing
frightful losses. had exhausted the in
itiative of the invaders.
May Give Decisive Turn.
Further developments in Galicia are
awaited here with breathless interest,
as it is believed that the events on this
section of the front may give a decisive
turn to the entire eastern campaign.
The view held here is that the whole
Russian position in the Carpathians has
now become precarious. 1t is under
stood that strong pressure upon the re-
treating Russians has been brought to
be- bear by the forces of Gen. Won
Won Hoetzendorf, which are advancing
from the west. 1t is therefore expected
that the operations in Galicia now de-
veloping may prove to be the most i'm
campaign.
The operation Of the Austra-German
force which is now threatening the
Russian lines between the Dunajec and
Blala rivers is regarded as a first-class
performance. from a German military
standpoint. particularly it is the re-
suit of frontal attack against strong
ly fortified positions.
The Austrians crossed the Dunajec
near Its confluence with the Eistula al
though the Russians were strongly pro-
tected behind a dixie on the eastern
bank. The Austrians. behind a dixie on
the west shore, advanced pontoons by
night, cutting through the dixie and
depositing the pontoons among high
reeds along the shore They refilled
and resodded the cut each night. In
this way sufficient number of pom
toons were concealed on three nights
for effecting crossing of the river
When these preparations had been
completed a terrific artillery lombard
ment enabled the Austrians to bridge
the stream with comparatively little
loss.
Artillery overwhelms Foe.
The Austro-German attack near Cor
lice is described as an unpa ralleled ar
tillery performance. The Russians be-
lieved their position to be absolutely
impregnable. The artillery OF the allies
from 40 centimeters down-so COM
pletely overwhelmed the Russians.
however. that the Austro oGerman in
fantry was able to take the oposing
positions at the first rush. These oper-
ations were veiled by a heavy bonn
bardment OF the Russian positions
along the Nida river last week, the
Germans and Austrians meanwhile
bringing up powerful force, includ-
ing an enormous amount of artillery, to
the Duna1ec for the great push east
ward toward Lemberg.
The Russians still hold one strong no
si.ton on range of hills more than
1000 feet high. near Tuchow, but this
position is now threatened from both
the north and south. Artillery is al
ready preparing the ground for an at
tempt by infantry to dislodge the Rus
slams.
Expect Big Results.
In view of this situation it is gener-
ally believed In Berlin that the opera
tions in Galcia during the next ten
days win yield big results.
The situation at Ypres. Belgium
where the Grand Duke of Wurttem-
berg Is commanding, is also considered
highly promising for the Germans 1t
is believed here that the British and
French will hardly be able to hold the
town of Ypres for another week The
Germans are said to have gained
nearly three miles during the last few
days, their opponents withdrawing
steadily before the German infantry
and machine gun attacks. Advices
from the Belgian front say that this
retreat in places Is disorderly one,
soldiers are being left on the ground.
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