The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1916-01-12


government as well, was in the con-
troll of a group Of bureaucrats from
the Germanic Baltic provinces. His
command was therefore theoretical,
the practical command residing III
the bureaucracy. Now, however, the
command rests practically in the
Allies war board, composed of the
military leaders of the various pow
ers, which meets periodically and
lays down the plan of campaign.
There is, therefore, unity of ef-
forts which was completely lacking
when the Russians began their re-
treat from the Dunajec. In addition
to this is the question of shell supply
which for long time was the cru
cial question of the Russian field
army.
Now that the Japanese-C Chinese dis
putes are at rest, it is known that
Japan's factories are working night
and day, turning out ammunition. It
| is known also that the trans-Sibe-
rian railway has been to a large ex-
tent double-tracked so that an unin-
| terrupted flow Of ammunition has
been pouring into the Russian bases
of supply for months and will con-
| tinue to pour.
Conditions, therefore, are entirely
different than they were early in
August when Warsaw fell. From
these considerations it would seem
then, that, with the superior numbers
that Russia can he counted OF to con-
centrate at any point of her own
selection, chances should favor her
army in spite of it's previous disas-
ters.
There may, however, be another
object back of the Russian attacks
in Bukpwina than an advance toward
Kolomea-and that is to fight their
way southwark into Bukowina and
Transylyania generally parallel to
the Rumanian border and clear these
two provinces completely. Nor is
this with Russian numbers an i'm
possibility. Such movement would
have two results. Rumania, as has
been stated, holds the most adVan-
tageous position strategically of any
Of the Balkan States.
At the same time there is present
an element of weakness. She is in
! closed on the north and south be
tween Austria and Bulgaria, with a
neck Of only $50 miles across be-
tween these two countries. In the
centre of this neck lies Bucharest
Even if Rumania desired to enter the
war on the side of the Entente, and
If she wished to realize her national
ambitions for Bukowina and Transyl
vania, she would not dare to take the
step with large hostile force mobl'
lied on either frontier.
It could easily mean repetition o!
the tragedy Of Serbia drive south
by Austria and a drive north by Bull
garia, both against Bucharest, would
be almost sure to follow. If, how
ever, Russia can by eXter ding hel
line southwark through Bukowins
neutralize the Teutonic forces ii
Eastern Galicia, Rumania would bt
free to declare war and begin lmme
diately an invasion of Bulgaria. Suct
a move would at one jeopardize al
Germany has won through the con
| quest of Serbia and threaten, by NOV
ing against Sofia, to cut off AGAR
the Turk from the Central Empires
Another advantage to be gained BY
the extension of the Russian line
would be a similar extension which
the Teutons would be forced to make
or be outflanked. 1t is almost uni
versally conceded that the Teutons
can not with safety extend their lines
beyond those at present occupied
Rather it is a question now of how
to shorten them.
An analysis of Teuton losses
which have been published only il
part, makes it simple matter o.
arithmetic to show that they have al
ready reached or very shortly viii
reach the point where every.loss is
permanent loss; that is, loss thai
can not be replaced for lack of men
! There are certainly no men available
to occupy an additional length of line
without weakening another part By
Withdrawals. The Russian attack
however, has not yet developed tt
the point where its primary object i:
apparent.
In addition to the fighting in the
CzernowitZ region, considerable &C
tivity has been manifested along the
Styr River, between the marshes anc
in Volhynfa. The Russian retrea
carried them at some points beyond
the marshes into the open country
beyond. At the entrances to the
marshes the army was, of course
divided by the marshes themselves
They are now commencing to emerge
from the marshes and are fighting
their way westward along the Sarny
Kovel railroad toward the latter
point.
The Styr River in this section is
considered a peculiarly strong defen::
sive screen--a screen necessary tc
the maintenance of the German lines
in their present position and one
which every effort will. be: made te
hold. The marsh belt which, borders
the banks from Kolki north adds tt
the protection afforded by the river
itself. , -
+ 1t has been crossed by the Rus
SLAMS north of Czartorysk over &
front about five miles in length. As
in the case of the fighting further
south, however, the official reports
have so far been meagre in detail
due to the fact that so far the attack
has not yet developed its full
strength. This section will repay
close watching.
Going back to the situation around
Salonikif details of which were out
lined in last weeks review, it is re-
ported that preparation for an attack
on the, Allies position is now under
way. The fact that this, move has
not been made before brings with it
interesting speculation as to whether
after all, it will materia1ize.
=: Once Serbia was cleared by the
Teuton allies beyond Nish, the only
object:i in pressing an offense further
was. to destroy.not only the Serbian
army. but the Anglo-French expedi-
tionary forces. Through the simple
process of outflanE.ing them by su-
perior numbers, the Bulgars cleared
Macedonia, not by capturing all the
allied troops, OF even large numbers
of them but by driving them across
the Greek border: Thus the terri
tory was taken and occupied.
But, as has been repeatedly stated
In these reyiewsfi the capture of ter
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