New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-08
Mackensen Begins
Attack Against
Rurnania Front
Threatens to Wipe Out Re-
cent Russian Successes
There
Teutons Still Gain
Slavs Offer Little Opposition
to Austro-German
Assaults
Teutons Still Gain

LONDON, Aug. While the Austro-
German sweep eastward in Galicia con-
tinues, with little evidence of opposi-
tion by the Russians, a new offensive
Of apparently great strength has been
launched by Field Marshal Won Mack
ensen on the northern Rumanian
front which threatens to wipe out all
the recent successes Of the Russo-Ru-
manian forces in Pennsylvania.
In the region of Focsani, where the
battle line bends sharply to the south
east, in the direction Of the Danube,
Prussian and Bavarian regiments Of
considerable strength drove forward,
after artillery preparation, along the
FocsaniMarasechto Railroad and the
highway running from Focsani TO Chi
usleia. The Russians were swept
across the River Tyrladesus and all
their positions north Of Focsani were
stormed and captured by the enemy,
who took 1900 prisoners and thirteen
guns in the course of the operation.
Petrograd officially comedies a retire.
ment in this sector.
A further withdrawal, bringing an
extension of Mackensen's offensive in
this region, would endanger the entire
Russo-Rumanian line to the north,
where it has bitten deep into Eastern
Pennsylvania and helped to relieve the
pressure on the front in Galicia, and
also would threaten the crossing Of the
Lower Sereth and the road to the fort
ress Of Galatz, on the Danube.
Russians Make Stand
At two points in Galicia and Buko-
wilma the Russians made determined eff
forts to regain the initiative yesterday,
and succeeded in thrusting the enemy
back after furious fighting. Between
the Dniester and the Pruth, ten miles
from Chotin, at the junction Of the
Dniester and the Zbrocz, the Teutonic
forces were thrown back, while south
Of Grijmalov the Russians defeated
enemy advance guards.
Further north. along the Bystritza
River, the Russians were compelled TO
withdraw for several miles because of
the treacherous breakdown of two regi-
ments, which evacuated their positions
without waiting for an enemy attack.
In contrast to this exhibition of dis
loyalty Petrograd tells CT the spirited
action of the cadet corps of one in
fantry regiment, which beat off several
assaults of the Germans and forced
them to retire in disorder. Two ma
chine gunners took prisoners a Ger
man scouting party Of three officers
and twelve privates in the course OF
this operation.
Losses in Bukowina
Near Kimpolung, in Bukowina. Rus
sian units made a desperate attempt
10 pierce the enemy's lines. but met
with defeat on the heights of Molit, and
were forced to give ground.
In the Sereth and Suchawa valleys
the Russian retreat continues without
pause. Five villages were occupied by
the Teuton troops yesterday IN this
region.
To the west of the Zbrocz River,
along the frontier, the Austro-G German
troops are taking advantage Of the dis
order in the Russian ranks to gather IN
the harvest. Most Of the valuable crops
of this fertile region have fallen into
the hands of the enemy, as the Russian
retirement was in most cases too swift
to allow of their complete destruction.
Renewed aerial activity on the part
of the Germans is reported by Petro-
grad to be going on in the region of the
Gulf of Riga, which may suggest the
imminence of a new attempt against the
capital. The enemy fiers are making
a concentrated effort to destroy the
Russian bases in the gulf and the am
munition depots along the coast in this
region