The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-07-24
RUSSIAN ARMY
IN GALICIA TRAP
Germans Trying to Flank Kor-
nilOff's Forces in Salient
Near TarnOpOl.

LONDON, July 23,-Disorganization
and Generalization among the Russian
troops, frankly stated in the official ad-
vices from Petrograd tonight. make
serious the position of the Russians who
had swept into Galicia far in advance
OF their general alignment. with Dolina
as the apex of a long and badly exposed
triangle.
An unofficial report. through the
Reuter- agency. says that Tarnopol,
forty-three miles west and north of
Dolina, has fallen into German hands.
The German official claim only says that
the Teutons stand on the heights i'm
mediately to the west OF Tarnoupi"
While the Germans report that the
Teutonic attacks have developed into
an operation" which undoubtedly means
a general attempt to flank and round
up all of the Russians in the salient
east and south of Tarnopol. the most
prominent feature Of the reports IL the
Petrograd story OF the Generalization
among the Russians.
Col. Old, chief OF the divisional stan
In the Gallclan field, was killed while
vainly trying to restore order and
obedience among his own men, and the
Russian War Office refers to "the in
stability and moral weakness OF certain
detachments" as jeopardizlng further
success, Gallant oajoers. who pershed
in great numbers while trying to rally
their men, are highly praised In the
stories that came tonight officially from
the Russian capital,
Russians Fighting ValiantIy.
In the face OF these difficulties the
Russians along the northern sector have
made notable attacks upon the Germans,
and In some cases have penetrated the
enemy lines 10 the extent of two miles.
South OF Smorgon, near Krevo and
Wilma. and north of the Pinsk marshes
the Russians have fought valiantly. and
1000 German prisoners remain to show
the weight of their drive.
But In the Galiclan zone the story is
different. Since the early days of the
war the Russians have held Tarnopol, a
city of $4,000 inhabitants. and more
than twenty-five miles behind the ad-
vanced line that the Russians held when
the Teutons began their counter move
inent. The Germans have. In the event
this town has fallen, taken a position
can readily be executed. with the alter
native OF n fast retreat or capture be-
fore the Russians, The railway from
Rohatyn TO Ostroff has been crossed by
the kalser's troops, who are beginning
an advance on both sides OF the Dnies-
ter River.
The occupation OF a number OF small
points by the Austro-Germans is re-
ported. centrlng about Nastasov, which
Iu mill Of To
A despatch from Copenhagen says that
the Russians planned to make a stand
behind the Sereth River.
Texts of OmciAI Reports.
The official statements follow:
Russian Day Statement-western
front. southwest OF Dvinsk. there has
been artillery firing by both sides.
In the direction of Wilma, In the
neighborhood OF krevo, our troops at
tackled the enemy and occupied por-
ton OF his positions IN the district Of
Tsary- Bogushl. penetrating the enemy
territory TO a depth OF two miles in
places. over 1000 Germans were
taken prisoner.
The development OF further suc-
cess is being jeopardized by the insta-
bility ard moral weakness OF certain
detachments. Particularly noteworthy
was the gallant conduct of the officers
great numbers of them perishing dur
! ing the fulfilment OF their. duties
On the upper course or the Sereth
from Zalovce to Tarnopoi, there has
been rife firing. South OF Berezovica-
Velka the enemy Is conducting an in
tense artillery fire.
Between tho rivers Sereth, Stripa
and Zlota Lipa the enemy continues
his offensive occupying the villages of
Nastasov, Benlave (on the Strlpa).
Uvse and Slavintin. While restab-
fishing order among the units the chief
OF the divisional stan. General Stan
Lieut. Col, Old, was killed,
Rumanian Front-In the direction
OF Kezdi-Vnsarhely, Foo Sanl and
Braila there have been artillery en-
gagements.