New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-27
Italians and British Be-
gin Assaults on Teu-
ton Lines.
GERMANS STORM
CARS TRENCHES
Rome Announces Gain on
Twenty-Mile Front
in TrentinO.
lBy Cabs 10 The Tribune ]

London, June 26.-The long g-heralded
and much-delayed grand offensive OF
the Allies seems TO be at hand. Indeed,
If events rather than official announce
ments mark its opening, it is already
well under way.
Paris and London have said nothing
regarding the important operations
now developing. IL has been left to
admissions from the Central Powers to
establish their existence. Thus, as
against the silence of the British War
Office, Berlin this morning chronicled
the opening of important battles" on
the sector held by Sir Douglas Haig.
Vienna supplements this tonight
with the admission Of a twenty-mile
retirement in the Trentino. "To retain
our freedom of action" is the tribute
the Austrian War Office pays to Cen
ersl Cadorna's offensive, which observ-
ers expect to spread rapidly to the
Isonzo front
Russians Near Kolomea.
In the east the Russians, while still
held up in their advance on Kovel by
the Germans, are continuing their
progress against the Austrisns in the
south. Their flank now protected by
the Carpathians, they have turned
northward in their swdp through Bu-
kowina and are approaching Kolomea.
They are already within ten miles Of
the town.
Thus, though the Germans do succeed
in preventing progress from the north,
they may still force the evacuation of
Lemberg and Tsrnspol from the south.
Similar tactics were successful when
the Russians took the city before.
To stem the Russian tide :he Ger
mans have taken over the defence Of
the whole sector from Kovel down to
Brody. They have replaced the shat
tered ranks of the Archduke Frederick
with fresh regiments from the West
front, who are called upon here 20
undergo the same artillery hell they ex-
perienced at Verdun.
General Brussiloff's main efforts are
now being devoted to overthrowing the
Germans in these positions. He has
brought his batteries which routed the
Austrians to bear here. And, despite
being pushed back by six German as
saults over a two-mile front yesterday,
he has driven a wedge so far in the
German line as to menace Brody.
BRAND Visits Haig.
The semi-official Paris Temps" also
voices the view that the Allies often
sive is at hand. It's military expert.
regarded as one of the most competent
in Europe, declares that "the hour Of
action for the Allies is here. Attack
succeeds defence on many fronts" It
sees especial significance in the visit Of
Premier BRAND to the headquarters of
Sir Douglas Haig, the British COM
mander, on Saturday and Sunday.
The Allies plan, as it is understood
here by military men. is not for any
combined assault on all fronts at once.
Instead, they are perfectly content to
allow events 10 take their course, and
as weak links in the Teuton defence
disclose themselves. strike with over
whelming might.
This strategy was agreed upon at the
Allied conference In Paris and was sub
sequently developed In greater detail
by General Joffre In his recent confer.
ences here with Sir William Robertson.
British chief of staff. To aid in CO.
ordinating 1t with Russian plans is be-
lieved 10 have been the mission of Lord
Kitchener when he lost his life in the
sinking Of the Hampshire on the way
TO Archangel.
The weakening of the Austrian lines
in Galica for their assault in the Tren-
tino gave the Russians the irs. oppor-
tunity 10 take the offensive. With their
successes here, the Teutons were forced
TO withdraw troops from the Italian
and Western fronts. Now the Italians,
in turn, have resumed the attack.
The Germans have been slower in
withdrawing men from the French front
because they know of the formidable
massing of troops that has been going
on behind the Anglo-French lines. Mill
tary observers declare that the Verdun
assault has been prolonged in order 20
forestall any Allied offensive. Against
the British portion OF the front alone
il is estimsted that the Germans have
maintained in reserve no less than
100000 men.
That these at last are being with
drawn. either 10 throw into the final
effort on the Meuse or 70 stay the Rus
sian drive, seems 10 be the meaning OF
the important battles" which Berlin
records as developing from the User
to the Somme.