NORTHERN MENACE

German Flanking Movement

DEFENCE OF WARSAW

Russians falling back

Brilliant Rearguard Fighting

Despite the magnificent fight put up by the rearguard forces of the Grand Duke’s Armies, the Germanic Allies are slowly, but surely drawing in upon Warsaw and, as stated here yesterday, the task of the defenders is becoming increasingly difficult.

Last night’s Petrograd report revealed the position in a few illuminating sentences:

(1) In the Ostrolenka district our troops retreated to a new front.

(2) Our troops yesterday, in conformity with their orders, abandoned the Blonie-Nedarzyn line, retreating on Warsaw positions.

(3) In the Ivangorod district on Monday our troops concentrated on the Vistula bank.

(4) Between the Vistula and the Bug fighting continues.

This is only a portion of the message, but even if the whole of it were quoted, there is very little to suggest any foundation for the lingering hope that, after all, the enemy soldiery may be kept out of Warsaw.

The Russian successes on the Narew, the terrific losses the enemy sustained here and also in an “incredibly furacious” battle on the right back of the Wieprz, between Cholm and Viodava, are delaying factors and little more.

True, the heavy toll so continuously exacted is of an importance that can scarcely be over estimated if we look ahead but the Very Utmost Highest War Lord has no eyes now for the uttermost ends of his war policy, his attention is concentrated on the immediate present, and no one realises more than he does the necessity for hussar strokes.

He is thinking of Romania, Greece and perhaps, Bulgaria, upon all of whom it is desirable to make an impression at this moment. He has not failed to observe the great measure of success attending Italian arms in the south and the necessity of realising Austrian (if not German) troops to avert this ever growing menace; he has visions of the forcing of the Dardanelles, and the news that Italy is openly to cooperate with the Allies in the naval and military operations here has added to his anxiety; he may have thought possible an Italian move westward and last but not least he is well aware of the rapidly increasing strength of the great lines opposed to him in France and Flanders.

Possibly, nay probably, he realises ultimate defeat, cherished the hope of an immediate dramatic success is attained, he may be in a position to ask for peace terms which would leave the Central Kingdom strong enough to redeem hence their losses 1914-1915.

The occupation of Warsaw alone, with unbroken Russian Armies successfully drawn back to continue the struggle on another line, is hopelessly insufficient for his purpose. He must envelop, capture, kill or smash in some way great bodies of Russian troops, destroy their offensive for months to come and, in fact, deliver such a stroke as will have an effect of neutrals and on the feeling of his people at home.

His designs are fairly clear to those who are (and who are not) closely following the official reports and it is evident that the space devoted here yesterday to the movement in the north was fully justified.