New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-12
Allies Satisfied
Bv Conditions
On All Fronts
Russian Army Improving
and Making Gains, Say
French Commanders

By General Bertholet, French Com
mander formerly with Rumanian
FOrces).
PARIS. Aug. 1.-THE conditions
on all Of the fronts satisfy the En-
tente. Even the Russian troops seem
TO have overcome their Generalization
and are vigorously disputing any fur
Their gains of territory by the enemy.
They have been able to make counter
attacks and repulse the enemy in Vol
hynia and on the Polish front. One
local battle allowed the Russians to
take 800 prisoners. Northwest Of the
Sereth the strong Austro-German at
tacks have been stopped.
On the Western front the lively ar
tillery actions have not ceased for many
months along the Aisne. Apart from
this activity and attempts by enemy de-
tachments against our positions, moth
iEg Of importance has occurred.
On the Belgian Front
On the Belgian front, after the lull
which was imposed as much by the
heavy rains as by the necessity OF
changing the heavy batteries, the nRht-
ing has resumed It's intensity. The Ger
man attacks are directed against the
nrincipal positions which we have cap
tured, but which they do not admit they
have lost despite the orders given for
them to be recaptured.
In war II always is unwise to an
nounce before the battle results one
homes TO achieve. We ourselves have
sometimes fallen into that error, but
not on the Belgian front. At present
the Germans are crediting US with
greater detectives than our offensive
has implied ard they console them
selves officially for their losses by
declaring that we have not attained
such and such electives, more or loss
remote. II is always an easy thlng
70 do.
All this indicates that the morale OF
the Russian army is not particularly
bad. even at those points where the
soldiers have not sufficient guns. we
can hope that this good example VIII
spread. and that the Russian army VIII
succeed. thanks 20 its slowly increasing
spirit of resistance, in reconstructing
itself.
The Germans are not gaining now be-
tween the Pripet Marshes and the
Dniester. We should not, however per-
NIT ourselves TO entertain ia lse hope.
A we'll conducted offensive does not
consist of attacking everywhere ana
anywhere at the same time.
Concentrating in Moldavia
Now the enemy attack is concentrat-
inc against Moldavia TO force the Ru-
marians to retreat behind the Frutn
River. This is their first objective, and
they will spare no pains TO reach there
with the least possible delay. The rest
is not urgent, and il seems Impossible
that they should fail to reach their OBJ
jective in Moldavia.
The lack Of munitions is great ham
dicap on the Russians, but this is eN-
plainable when one remembers the Rus
sian railroads. The Russian transport
pared TO the facilities possessed by
Austria and Germany the difference is
sharply felt.
These conditions will equalize them
selves. however, when the Russians
retreat little further and the enemy
gets g little further from his own
transport. Possibly Il will be in the
centre Of Russia that we will see these
fighting chances egualized If the enemy
Is not turned back before.
But 50 far as unhappy Rumania is
concerned the hope of stopping the
enemy seems less strong. A retreat
below the Pruth will mean now the
total abandonment of their country.