Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-08-15
GERMANS NOW IN
CONTROL Of RICH
RUSSIAN PROVINCE


WASHINGTON, D. c.. Aug. ID
when the Austro-Germans, following
the Reorganization of the Russian
armies on the Galician front, crossed
the Zbrucz River, which separates Rus
STA from Austria Hungary, they entered
the privince of Podolia which next toI
Moscow, is the most densely populated
in the empire. OF this province the
National Geographic Society bulletin
issued today says:
"Podolia is one of the richest and
most fertile regions in all Russia, ana
| is about as large as the combined areas
Of Maryland and Delaware. 1t lies en-
tirely within what is known as Little
Russia, with South Russia bordering i
en- the south, and West Russia on the
north. The Bug river which crosses
the province from northwest to south
west runs parallel to the Dniester'
which forms the western boundary the
railroad extending from Lemberg to
Odessa crosse the province midway be-
tween the Bug and Dniester.
THE valley of the Bug is somewhat
higher than that of the Dniester, and
for a great part of its course the river
is bordered by swamps and woodlands
largely impenetrable to armies. An
other railroad crosses the province at
right angles to the Lemburg-Odessa
road, while in the southeastern section
there are several other lines.
THE climate of the province is rath-
er cool in summer and cold in winter.
The mean temperature Of Washington
in January is 80 degrees; that of the
capital of Podolia is "a. On the other
hand, the mean temperature of Wash
ington for July is II degrees, while that
of Podolias capital is SO degrees. The
average temperature is about that OF
Binghampton, New York.
Sugar is the leading product of the
province, no other state in the empire,
except Kiev, having a larger output. A
great deal of grain is grown and much
-four is manufactured. Spirits and to-
bacco also are produced in considerable
quantities.
THE population of the province is
approximately 100000 and there are
some 5000 manufacturing establish
ments, having 10000 employees with an
annual normal production valued at
$4S,O00,000. The soil is largely like
that of Iowa, and is to great extent
cultivated after western methods, in
stead of those usually prevailing in
southeastern Europe. Stock raising is
also an important industry and before
the war there was very large trade
in horses, cattle and sheep with Aus
tria- Hungary.
THE history of the province is full
of interest. The days of the Romans
are kept in memory by the wall OF
Trajan which passes through several of
its districts. When Poland became one
Of Europe's principal nations, Podolia
was annexed to it and formed part of
the Polish empire until the last parti-
ton which occurred in 1895.
"The menace of the invasion of the
soil of Podolia and Bessarabia by the
Austro- Germans is probably more ap
parent than real, at least so far as the
predicted forecast drive on Odessa is
concerned. 1t must be remembered
that it is more than $50 miles, as the
crow flies between the present battle
line of the Austro- Germans and the city
reputed to be their objective. A line of
communication stretched that long at a
time when fighting men are more than
at a premium would either have to be
so thinly defended or draw so many
troops from other points, that the geog-
raphical difficulties involved would be
many. The Lemberg- Odessa railroad is
not in good condition, it is said, while
the highways of both Podolia and
Bessarabia are by no means compar-
able to the macadam highways of the
west. In wet weather the roads have
practically no bottom, and are next to
impossible for heavy guns and wagon
trains"