New-York tribune., 1916-07-26
RUSSIANS SMASH
FOE'SLINE ON STYR
Continued from page l

Amsterdam, are about to requisitior
Turkish troops. The new recruits from
the Dual Monarchy, it is reliably as
serted. are but the dregs of the coun-
try's manhOod-men too young, too old
or too unfit to have been considered
for the army when Austria first sent
her hosts into the field. The idea that
they can in any way strengthen the
Austrian forces, even though scattered
among veteran soldiers, IS scofed at
here.
Observers point out that the mental
attitude of the opposing armies is play
ing large part in the present hghtln
along the east front Flushed with vic
tories which seem to have no end the
Russian troops are now more confident
than they have ever been and their
officers are finding it easier every day
to lead them into what previously
would have been regarded as impossi
bic tasks. The reverse holds true for
the Austrians, who have tasted nothing
but defeat for so long that they now
fight in a losing spirit.
Silent on Dvina Drive.
Petrograd continues firm in its re
fusal to divulge even the barest de
tails regarding the important develop
ments on the Dvina front That the
Russian high command IS carrying out
plans for a wide frontal attack Is ap-
parent from unofficial reports which
have sifted through the cenSOr's hands.
While kuropatkin is conducting what
may turn out TO be the most lmpor-
tant campaign of the year against Won
Hindenburg's lines, the Russian War
Office announces only minor incursions
into the enemy's territory.
One statement IN the Russian com
munique to-day, however, is signih-
cant in its promise OF further develop
ments in this sector. On Lake Mad
ziol, east of Lake Narocz, Russian flo
tillas are feeling out" the German
positions preparatory 10 extending the
offensive, it is believed, to the whole
lake region.
The problem Of the Russians in this
vast territory below DvinSk is to break
through the gaps between the lakes
and force the enemy's lines at isolated
points. With high and dry ground to
operate upoa, the Russians face fewer
difficulties in the lake region than
TO the north. where the marshy nature
Of the countryside almost precludes
SuCCCSslui aILilItiN anu So'oiAg az
tion.
Mitau Objective.
Mitau and the great railroads TO
cussing at that point are supposed 70
be the Russian objectives. So much
do the Germans depend upon these
lines that even the loss of a minority
Of them would compel Won Hindenburg
TO abandon most of his ground IN this
region.
With virtually all the approaches
into Hungary in their hands and the
fighting forced into the heart Of the
Caipathians. the Russian forces in the
south are apparently at a standstill
This is taken here TO mean not that
the Austrians have been able 10 checi
tire Russian advance. but that the Rus
gian command is debating whether tc
continue the march into Hungary oil
20 block the exits from that country
and turn all IT. efforts toward finishing
up the Galician campaign.
Hungary and Peace.
On the one side. Russia has the
chance 20 deal death blow TO Hun
gary. With the bond between that
country and Austria daily growing
weaker and the demands OF the Hun
garian people for peace daily growing
stronger a great show Of Russian