THE RUSSIANS' ADVANTAGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4012, 19 August 1915, Page 5

THE RUSSIANS' ADVANTAGE.

ENEMY CONTINUALLY PRESSED. POSTIOH rMOW MUCH STRONGER. RESUMPTION OF OFFENSIVE LOOKED FORWARD TO. GERMAN EFFORTS IN GULF OF RIGA. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) 'LONDON, Aug. 17. The renewal of the German attacks in the Gulf of Riga revived the belief that the enemy hopes, to secure a foothold on these shores. In the meantime) the Russians continued to press their advantage on the land. A systematic change of front is proceeding between the Vistula and the Bug. In the Narow district the retirement is being conducted so methodically and skillfully . that the enemy failed to intercept and disconnect any of the units. It is generally recognised that the position is stronger, Lfie front being straightened appreciably.. A period of inactivity may succeed the completion of the Russian withdrawal before the resumption of the offensive. The "Lokal An/.eigor’s” correspondent on the Eastern front states that Russian resistance is increasing in violence as the A.ustro-Germans approach the Russian defence area. Battles, are increasing in intensity, and perhaps a retardation of the Austro-Gcriiiau advance may be expected. The inhabitants are evacuating Jiiel and Ostoke. Refugees from iomza state that three days’ bo m card men t preceded the German occupation. Ihe inhabitants, took refuge in the basements and cellars. Several houses were burned and. blown up, and scores of civilians were killed or wounded. An official message says: ■> J 1 '’ enemy’s attempts to advance in the Riga and Jacobs! adt districts on Sunday ami,Monday failed. Stubborn fighting continues m the Dvinsk district, where all German attacks were repulsed. The lighting at Kovno is extremely desperate. The enemy on Sunday and Monday, after careful preparation with heavy artillery, including 16ineii. guns launched a series of violent attacks ill full strength, with a view to storming the fortifications, on the left bank of the Niernen. Towards evening they succeeded, in carrying a small fort and breaking into tiie Taler veiling spaces between some other forts oil the western sector.

\Ve repulsed on. Sunday a series oi fierce German at tacks in the duvet on of Bielostock and Bielsk. The enemy's offensive between Nurz.eo Kind! the, Bug is successfully contained

'The enemy in the Ulodava. region is endeavoring to establish himself on the, right bank of the river._ There is some artillery firing in the Novo Georgievsk region. The em my brought up guns of the largest calibre ami delivered attacks on Sunday night, principally against the lortifications between the Narow end the left bank of the Wkra. GERMANS’ VAIN SACRIFICES. ENGRMUIS LOSSES RETORTED. j (Received Aug. .19, 12.20 a.m.) GENEVA. Aug. 18. The Germans have saer.fieo 1 enormous mini hers of men in an effort to pierce the Nurzce line. 1 hey extracted their _ surrounded division northward of Siodlcce with the grea'.est difficulty. , , The Russians on the Bug atiackeu Prince Leopold with such fury that lncasuallies in two hours were 10,000. The Russian artillery fire has latterly increased in intensity. GEMERAL ITEMS. SYLVIA BANK HIRST AGAIN. OBJECTS TO NATIONAL REGISTRATION. LONDON, August 17. Sylvia Pankburst is again m the limelight. Sin' declares sho will refuse to register for national service, as it is a ruse to get more power out of the workers, adding, ‘‘Not being a man they cannot send me to the war and won’t send me to a. munitions factory because they know there would be trouble.” V French doctor, after interment in Germany, states that an Englishspeaking German priest endeavored, on behalf of the military, to sow disloyalty among two thousand Irish prisoners at Limburg. Then a proclamation was circulated urging them to fight as a German Irish, brigade under the Irish Hag for Ireland’s independence. Three succumbed to the appeal and were removed to Berlin alter being attacked by their comrades. Later they returned as missionaries with glowing accounts of German treatment. When the doctor lott fifteen others had enlisted. Mr Runciman is endeavoring to avert threatened trouble in South Wales. They complain of the coal owners’ delay in putting the new agreement into operation. Com moll, and Lairds are erectin g an engineering factory in Sheffield for me Government, costing a quarter ot a million and employing four thousand workci s. Mr Lloyd George congratulated the corporation on leasing the site rent free for hall a year beyond the duration of the war. .1. O. Parke, the tennis player, who was a captain in the Loinstevs, has been wounded at the Dardanelles. Colonel McNieholl underwent an operation. He had a bullet removed from his spine after two unsuccessful attempts, and is now progressing favorably. ■ The French Government suspended “L’Homme Enchaine” and “Guerre Social© Reppel” for publishing articles forbidden by the censor. The Canadian .Government has granted a bonus of two cents a pound tor z.inc and have thus secured an adequate supply for the manufacture of munitions. Thomas Bentram Ledger was lined £1.50 at the Guildhall for trading with the enemy. He remitted £I4OO to a Cairo firm, destined for a Frankfurt branch.

Amorica, replying to Germany regarding the William Fyfe case, says she- will accept arbitration at the Hague, but demands that Germany moanwltilo state whether she intends to conduct marine operations in accordance with the terms of the Prus-sian-Amoricau treaty or those as interpreted bj r the United _States. Owing to the recent disturbance m Uushire the garrison has been increased. Thci town was temporarily occnpied to safeguard British lives and property. The Overseas Club lias offered to plant the graves of Australians with wattle, New Zealanders with manuka, and Canadians with maple. The High Commissioners approve, and have cabled for seeds. (Received Aug. 18, 11.15 pan.) In the Black Sea. a Russian submarine sank a Turkish steamer coalladen. . . In the Caucasus the Russians routed the Turks and reoccupicd ; Van.