Norwich bulletin., 1917-09-06
THE WAR PRIMER By National Geographic Society.

Podelia-"When the Austro Germans. following the 'disorganiz&tion of the Russian armies on the Gaucian front, crossed the znrucz Rivver, which sep arates Russia from Austria Hungary. they entt red the province of PodoiiA which next to Moscow is the most dense1y populated in the empire. Of this province the National Geographic Society ;r a bulletin issued today says:
 "Podol:a is one of the richest and most fertile regions iii all Russia, and Is about as large as tte con .bined areas of Maryland and Delaware. It lies en- tirely within what is known as Little Russia, with South Russia bordering it on the south. and West Russia on the north. The Bug River. which crosses the province from northwest to south east runs parallel to the Dniester, which forms the western boundary. The Odessa crosses the province midway between the Bug and Dniester
 ''The .sl1sy of the Bug is somewhat higher than that of the Dniester, and for great part of it's course the river is bordered by swamps and wood lands largely impenetrabl to armies Another railroad crosses the provir.ee , at right angles to the Lemburg Odessa road. while in the southeastern section there are several other lines.
 ''rhe climate of the province is rather cool in summer and fold in winter. The mean temperature of Washin eton in January is 93 degrees; that of the capital Of Podolia is 24 ture of Washington for July is 77 de- srees, while thst Of Podo!ia's capital is 6S degrees. The average tennpera- ture Is about that of Binghampton, New York.
 Sugar is the leading product. of the province. no other state in the empire except Kiev. having a larger output. A great deal of grain is grown and much flour is menufactur- ed. Spirits and tobacco also are pro- duceB in considerable quantities.
 The population of the province is a approximately 4.0e0,Go0. and there are some 5000 manufacturing establish ments, Paving 10000 employees with at $4s.0do,00o. The soil is largely like that of Iowa. and Is to e great extent cultivated after western methods, in stead of these usually prevailing in also an important industry, and be- fore the war there was a very large trade in horses. cattle, and sheep, with Austria. Hungary:
 The history of the province is full of interest. The days of the Romans are kept in memory by the wall of Tra1an which passes through several of its districts. When Poland became one of Furope's principal nations, Po- dolia was annexed to it and formed
 
 last partition which occurred fin 17e5.
 The inenace Of the invasion of the oil of Sodolfa and Bessarabia by the Austro -Germars Is proha ply more apparent than real. at least so far as the predicted forecast drive on Odes- sa is concerned. It must be remem- bered that 1t is more than 250 miles IS the crow flies between :he present battle line of the Austro Germans and the city reputed to he their objective 4 line of communication stretched that long at a time when fighting men are more than at premium would either have to be so .thinly de- tended or draw 50 many troops from other points, that .ae geographic difficulties involved would be many The. Lenberg Odess;, railroad is not In good condition. 1t is said while the hfEhways of both Podolic and Bess- arabia Gre by no means compara ble 10 the macadam highways of the west. Tn wet weather the road. have prac- ticallv no bottom. and are next to i'm for heavy guns and wagon