New-York tribune., 1916-07-03
Positions Taken West of
TOWn-TWO Thousand
More Prisoners.
CAPTIVFS DRUNK,
SAYS PETROGRAD
Austrian Troops Demoralized or
Dragged to Fight, Observers
Believe.
tBy Cable To Ths Trfbuns J

70 those that shattered Austrian re-
sistance at Lutsk the Russians continue
10 smash forward in the Kolomea sec
tor Positions west Of the town were
stormed to-day by the troops OF Cen
eral Letchtzky and more than TWO
thousand prisoners taken.
Kolomea, with its six railroads, IS
one OF the most important strategic
points in Galicia, commanding, as II
does. the approach to Lcmberg. Aus
trian resistance here has been OF the
most desperate character. Even after
the town itself was lost the troops took
nm positions on a ridge of hills circling
from the west to the north. These they
sought to defend until German rem
forcements could arrive.
But the Russian momentum was TOO
great In his desire to catch General
Won Bothmer's exposed hank above
Brodv. General Brussiloff literally
,vept from their positions the Aus
TRANS attempting to hold Kolomea- Al
ready his Cossacks have begun to
harry the Germans, who are seeking TO
u.nruvre 10 meet q foe on two frone'
Prisoners Reported Drunk.
One phrase Of the Russian statement
,o.njrht has aroused considerable com
ment. In recounting the capture OF two
thousand prisoners Petrograd declares
that the greater part were intoSicat-
od" Observers are at loss to under
stsrd this. unless II means that utter
Generalization has set in among 'ne
Austrian forces, and that the men are
bejng drugged to fight or IN their re-
treat have begun to plunder their own
villages.
Tho text OF the Russian offcial state
ment follows: 49,.
in the region west OF Kolomea the
srmv Of General Letchitzky, after IN
tense lighting, took by storm the
.nemy positions. Up TO the present
~. have taken 1000 prisoners from
the fresh troops brought to this re-
zion. The greater number were IN
toxicated.
"In Volhynia the enemy continues
70 make desperate attacks. The onen-
,iv. Of the Germans between the rivers
Stvr and the stokhod. in the region
= -. VILLAGES Of Koptehe and Zobary,
was repulsed
Fresh Attacks Repulsed.
"a series OF fresh enemy attacks
southwest OF Kiselin-Zubilno-Ko Kocney
were repulsed. The enemy's columns
were put 10 flight with heavy losses
The fugitives have been destroyed IN
masses, but. reinforced by reserves,
the enemy Is making fresh attacks,
which so far have been repulsed.
Caucasian front-East of Plantana
we captured by a brilliant attack
chain Of mountains which had been
fortified bv the Turks The enemy was
repulsed beyond the River SAMSON
Darassi. He left behind many corpses
on his positions.
In the direction Of Gumischlor. an
attempt by the Turks to advance TO the
north was repulsed and the enemy
driven back to their trenches. In the
direction Of Baiburt our advance
guards took the Turks in the rear dur
inp the night on a height in the region
Of Variants. In a bayonet attack our
soldiers hurled the Turks from the top
of n mountain down a precipice and re-
turned safely 10 their trenches.
an the direction of Bagdsd, in the
Kering region, pressure by important
enemy forces continues.
Guns Fire in Gusts.
Western Front-The enemy con-
tinues to deliver desperate attacks
against some sectors between the Styr
and Stokhod and south OF the Stokhod.
yesterday afternoon the enemy ar
tillery produced gusts of FIRE in the
region Of Koptchie, Ghelenovka and
Zobarv. southwest of Sokol. An ener-
getic attack followed. but was repulsed.
Northeast Of Kiseln. near the viii
laee of Trystenu, we observed enemy
tloops mastering. The fire OF our ar
tillcry dispersed and put them TO fight;
Southeast Of Kiselin our fire stopped
an offensive by mass formations Of the
enemy. At the village Of Seniawa and
in the same region near the village OF
Seublino there was a warm engage
mcnt
South Of the village OF Zaturze,
near the village Of Koschef, we stopped
an Austrian offensive by counter Of
fensive. We repulsed hostile attempts
70 cross the River Schars, southwest OF
Iipsk and south Of Baranovichi.
Cruisers Attacked.
"In the Baltic yesterday de-
tachment of several OF our cruisers and
torpedo boats, searching FOR enemy
forces between the Island of Gothland
and the Swedish coast, discovered nc
large naval unit. At daybreak our
cruisers were attacked by hotills
Of enemy torpedo boats, which easily
was repulsed. Attacks by enemy sub
marines also were unsuccessful. Oul
detachment regained its base without
loss and without being damaged"
The German official statement says;
Army Of General Won Linsingen-
The attack is going forward. The mum
Der Of prisoners has been increasec
, by seven officers and l,4lO men. A
various points enemy counter attack;
were easily repulsed.
Army Of General Bothmer-Germar
and Austro-Hungaria troops stormet
the hill of Vorobij jowka. height south
west of Tarnopol, which recently was
occupied by the Russians, and tool
seven officers and SOL men, seven ma
chine guns and two mine throwers.
Balkan Theatre There is nothing
10 report"
--S-----------