Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-07-23

Lomnica, which is largely in the open
with only such shelter as hurriedly
constructed field works afford, these
losses are especially severe.
Using Up Reserves.
1t is in this using up Of reserves
that the Russian fighting is apt to
show the greatest effect. Moreover,
the Germans are forced into a posi-
ton where they can not retire as they
did on the western front, but must
fight the thing out where they are. To
retire to any sappreciabie depth would
be to sacrif1ce all that had been gained
as result Of the Roumanian cam
paign.
On the Lomnica, particularly. they
must hold fast or face the probable re-
tirement Of much of their northern
line After this stream, Is passed there
is no material barrier to the west until
the line Of the Stripa river is reached.
This is thirty miles across country.
Country 10 Open.
The country is fairly open, except in
the southern portion, where the foot
hills of the Carpathians are found, and
is traversed by no one stream Of snf-
ficient size and Importance to present
a military obstacle to an advancing
army.
If the Russians could cross the
Lomnica in force and hold their cross
ing there would be nothing to prevent
their continuing to the next barrier.
But this would mean the doubling back
upon the army north of the Dneister
Of the army now to the south Of the
A.
another element against the wall of
the Carpathians. This impossible sit
uation could only be relieved by the
northern German army falling back
and Strengthening it's line.
Battle Is Spreading.
There have been signs during the
week Of the fighting spreading to Vol
hynia in the north and to Roumania
in the south. The Russians in Volhynia
have a peculiarly difficult task ahead
Of them. Last years offensive saw the
Russians stopped along the Stockhod
river. The great bend Of the Stokhod
river east Of Kovel had indeed been
taken and several crossing had been
effected at other points.
But when the Stockhod is reached
the marsh belts begin to appear, so
that in some places the banks are
veritable lakes. The crossings that
have been 80 far made and held are
so far apart that it is doubtful II they
will be Of more than local value. More
over, this section Of the line, held last
year by Austrians, Is now occupied en-
t.rely by Germans, and it is against the
Austrians that the principal Russian
efforts have been made.
Are After Russians.
The Russians have always been sue
cessful against the Austrians, and
there Is always the chance Of punish
ing Austria to the point where she can
not continue the war.
Austria has suffered more severely in
proportion than any Of the other bel
ligerents. more even than France. She
has borne almost every attack which
the Russians have launched.
Russia's part in the war practically
began in an attack against the Aus.
trians which resulted In the occupa-
ton Of all Of Galicia from Bessarabia
to Cracow. Later came the lighting In
the Carpathians, in which the Germans
played not inconspicuous part, the
majority Of the troops being Austrians.
Losses Must 30 Great
This was followed by tho italian at
tacks, by the Russian attack OF last
year and by the Roumanian offensive
Of last fall
What the Austrian losses nave BEEN
there Is no means of figuring. Austria
has never published her losses or given
any clew to how great they have been.
In this she has followed the course OF
France, but that Austria has reached
almost the end Of her resources In man
power Is an open secret which has
been discussed without restriction by
Austrian and Hun1arian leaders.