Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-07-13

relatively wide front. got clean
through, with the result that the
whole Austrian line in this sector
collapsed and the Austrian retreat
ended only ut the Stokhod River and
after the arrival Of German reserves.
Any such break now south Of the
Dniester would almost inevitably
mean the evacuation Of Lemberg. but
the fate Of Lemberg will be deter
mined not by the fan OF Halicz. but
by the forcing OF the Lomnica River
/ line
Actually. Brusiloff has thrust a
wedge between the Austro German
army which is fighting north Of the
| Dniester River and the Austrian
army which is fighting south. II the
wedge opens a complete gap between
the two armies we shall have an Aus
/ trlan disaster quite comparable with
that Of 1914. and we may see the re-
conquest OF Eastern Galicla. But wo
may gu te as easily see a successful
rally OF the AustrO Germans at the
LOmnica. as we saw successful
rally at the Stokhod last year, when
Kovel was in the same peril that now
, threatens Lemberg.
II is much too early 20 attempt TO
forecast the ultimate profit of the
present Russian success. 70 is fair
to say that it holds a promise OF the
capture of Lembpfg no is equally
fair TO say that the probability Is that
a rally OF the Austro-Germans at
the Lomnica viii bring the Russian
advance TO a halt. and that the adj
vance win have no greater ultimate
result than q re3rrangement Of the
Austro-German lines on this front.
Il is altogether likely that we shall
see now a retreat by the Austro-
German army north Of the Dnicster
behind the Gnila Lipa River This is
the position occupied by the Aus
TRANS in 1914. 10 is a very strong DO
sition and in conjunction with the
line of the Lomnica River &c would
give them a natural line of defence
all the way from the Lembere- Brod,
Railroad - that IS. to a part OF
their line which has shown no evi
dence Of wScKness.
d 10 is tr6e 10 say that the fail oil
; Halicz three years ago was the pre-
lude to the fall Of Lemberg. But tn,
conditions we're utterly different
3 The Austrian line was broken nortl
+, Of the Dniester. not south of &C. ant
the Russians We're across the Gnil'
e Lipa River before they took Halicz
< Today the Austrian line north of tn,
< Dniester IS not broken There is n,
immediate threat OF the Russianl
o. forcing the Gnila Lipa River. And OF
5 the south side Of the Dniester Thu
a Lomnica River affords an admirable
4 line OF defence all the way down q
A the Carpathians.
j. II IS a great fact that the Russian
p have attacked. Il is an immense fac
! that they have defeated the Aus
r TRANS and made an advance of
a considerable distance, together witt
{ many captures Such an achievement
] in the face OF general pessimism owe
b Russian prospects a month az
q amounts 20 a revolution. But recol
s nizing all OF this and recognizin
the possibility that the achievement
a to date may be expanded to a reall
8 decisive triumph. It is unwise TO e1
- pect that triumph and 10 Is incorret
e 10 say that Il has been insured by Ia
j. fall OF The miserable little village {
e Halicz. ruined by the fighting OF 19l
b and never of great strategic impor
d ance in itself
y II the Russians make good n
e crossing of the Lomnica and Oh
q Dniester. then and only then will
q be time to discuss the fate OF Ter
n berg. The fact that they have crosse
l. both rivers with advance parties
e the most interesting detail I'm the wa
r news since the Russian offensive
& Galicia began. We must now look Z,
:. Ia speedy German counter thrus
j. Failing this. IL will be possible
j measure the extent OF the Russia
a victory.