The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-05
Russians Command Capital Of
the BukOwina, Menacing
Their Lines.
MACKENSEN FEARS A TRAP
If Pushed Into Rumania His
Position Would BE Like
Allies at SalOnica.
Special Cabie Despatch 10 THE srS


loNboS. Jan 4.-Despatches from Pet
rograd report that the Austrians and
Germans have evacuated Czernowitz az
result OF the Russian occupation OF
the heights commanding the city.
II is stated that the Russian successes
prevent the Teutons from using the
Czernowitz-Za -Zalesczk Railroad.
Zalesczki 's about twenty miles north
Of Czernowitz The main line running
northwestward from Czernowitz IL the
only other railroad which can be used
In this section by the Teuton forces FOR
supply or retreat.
CzernowitZ is only eight miles from
the northernmost corner OF Rumania
From the Bukowina capital to where the
Carpathians touch the Rumanian border
the distance Is about nifty miles. Only
II the Teutons were positively assured
against a. possible attack by Rumania
at a later stage OF the new Russian Of
fensive could they AFFORD To retain their
lines on the Rumanian border
In view OF the uncertainty of Ru-
mania's future attitude and repeated as
sertions that "a strong military show
ing on the part OF the Russians might
induce her TO join the Allies actively
It is not believed that Field Marshal Won
Mackensen will risk being pushed
against King Ferdnand's frontier. for
the Russians with their apparently re-
enforced and well equipped army could
easily drive southwark TO the Carpa-
thians and thus bottle up the Teutons
In that event the Austrian and German
forces would be in the same position as
the Allies were In Macedonia; they would
have to accept what might he a decisive
hattie or retreat into the neutral terri
tory OF Rumania That kingdom. how
ever. IL not In the same position toward
the Teutons az Greece was toward the
Entente's troops. but. on the contrary.
is generally conceded to be morally pro-
Ally
The fighting in the Bukowina. particu-
larly the Russian offensive there. is.
however. absolutely interdependent on
the developments on the northern part
Of the battle line. and the Russian sue
cess in the south can be assured only by
an equally continued and successful Of
fensive in Nolhynia. II the Cars troops
fan TO keep up their progress In the
north and allow the Germans TO turn
from the defensive TO the offensive
Rovno. the on. stronghold in the Volhy-
nian fortress triangle remaining to Rus
STA. Will be mcuaced. Its capture, fol-
lowed by "A Teuton drive eastward would
endanger the Russians In the same way
as Russian progress in the Bukowina
will endanger the Teutons
The Aust rian official statement gives
n vivid idea Of the violent character OF
the fghting. II says:
The battle in East Galicia is still
going on. Russians continue their at
tempts TO break through our lines,
but everywhere they were repulsed.
Near Toperauotz bitter hand to hand
hght!ng Is taking place. especially in
the destroyed trenches near Hegshaus,
east OF Raranoze, where the Sixteenth
Infantry Regiment again distinguished
itself Russian attacks northeast OF
Okna and against the bridgehead at
TsCieczko and northeast OF Buczacz
failed
Russian losses are appalling, In
ten kilometers OF a district $500 dead
Russians were counted o: severa,
Russian battalions. who, according to
their own reports. when engaged in
battle numbered 1000. only 100 came
back.
The Car. during a review yesterday.
addressed the Chevaliers OF the Order
OF ST George--the Russian military or
der conferred only for heroism In battle.
II the course of his speech the Car
said.
81 will not conclude peace until We
have expelled the last enemy from our
territory. and will conclude this peace
only with the fun accord OF our allies.
to whom we are bound Not by paper
treaties but by true friendship"