New-York tribune., 1916-07-12
KOVEL ROAD
OPEN TO CAR
Russians Clear All
BarrierS-T axe
271,0O0 of Foe.
lBy Cahle 20 rhA Tyihune ]

London, July 1.-THE sledge ham,
mer blows of the Russians on both
sides of the Sarny-Kovel railroad have
driven the Austro- German armies over
the Stokhod River at so many vital
points that the Teutons have been
compelled to fall back upon their re-
Gently constructed defences in front of
Kovel
Except in the sector near Hulevichl
and in front of Svidniki, where the
Germans are holding their own, no
more natural barriers stand between
General Brussiloff's troops and their
immediate goal. The principal diff
culties which have confronted them
ever since the drive on Kovel was in
augurated have been swept away by
the very impetuousness OF their as
saults.
Military observers here look for the
fall Of Kovel-and, with 1t, that OF
Vladimir Volynski-within week at
the most. With his right flank pro-
tected by the impossible marshes OF
the Pinsk and his whole lines from
Cznrtorysk to SvidniN reorganized TO
withstand the pressure of Teuton coun-
ter attacks. il is the concensus OF opin-
ion that never has General Brussiloff
been in better position TO outhank
the German defences before Kovel.
Teutons in Full Strength.
II is regarded as extremely signih-
can't that the powerful reinforcements
which the Austrians and Germans
have brought to the Volhynian front
have been unable to stem the Russian
tide. IL is believed that the Teutons
are now opposing the Russian advance
on Kovel with their full strength
with forces which cannot be augment
ed as long as the Allied offensives on
other fronts threaten the Teuton lines.
But the only effect of this massing
OF men at the danger points on the
East front has been, according to all
indications, to increase the toll OF
prisoner, taken by the Russians and
to retard only temporarily and at
isolated places the onward sweep Of
the Cars hosts.
In the Stokhod and Galician bat
ties, from July to July s. the Rus
Sims bagged $4,000 OF the enemy's
troops. Of these large majority
were taken unwounded, an indication
of the quick, powerful thrusts. at un-
suspected points which have charac-
terized the Allied drives on both the
East and West fronts The total
number Of prisoners taken BY General
Brussloff up to July 10 exceeds 27l,-
600.
Drive on Lutsk Abandoned.
The Russian drive on both sides of
the Kovel-Sarny railway admission Of
the initial success of which is made
for the first time by the Germans in
to-day's official statement-has accom-
plished something more than the men
scing of Kovel and the capture of
thousands Of Austria's best fighting
men. II has relieved Lutsk of the dan
perous pressure which was being ex-
erted upon it by the German forces
thrusting forward from Vladimir
VUlynski.
To bolster up the crumpling lines
along the S.ockhod the Germans ap-
parently have stripped their southern
salient Of all but the most necessary
defenders and have abandoned for good
the movement against Lutsk.
In Bukowina and on the Dvina front
the fighting has resolved itself into
violent artillery combats, with neither
side able 70 break through the guard
OF their opponents, although Vienna
claims slight successes on the Car
psthian front.
Much comment was caused here to-
day by the German denial of an al
legged Russian claim that Pinsk had
been evacuated Ss no such claim has
yet been made in the Russian official
dispatches.
Special dispatches from Petrogrsd
reflect the feeling that Pinsk is likely
soon 10 fall before Brussiloff's advance.
The Daily News's" Petrograd cor
respondent saws: The situation at
Finsk is extremely complicated for the
Germans. Pnsk is now the extreme
point OF the German promonotory run
hing into Russian territory. Owing 20
the wide sweep of the Russian advance
from the Lutsk salient in the last few
days any attempt By the Germans to
n ,ld up the Russians by an attack on
the hank must now be made north OF
the Pinsk marshes.
"If the Germans are unable 20 gather