Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1914 — POSEN NEAR CAPTURE [ARTICLE]

POSEN NEAR CAPTURE

RUSSIANS CONTINUE ADVANCE INTO GERMANY. Czar's Forces Now in Arms Comprises 0,000,000 Men Divided Into Four Big Armies. C St Petersburg, Aug. 28. —The storming of Posen is believed here to be imminent The Russian army of the center, comprising 2,000,000 men. is officially reported to have continued a practically unresisted advance against this main German stronghold on the Warta river. It is calculated that Berlin will be entered by the Russians within three weeks. The advance of Russian forces all along the line has been more rapid than even the most optimistic had dared hope. Lemberg, capital of Galicia and fourth city in size in the Austrian empire, also is menaced by the Invading Russian army of the south, and must fall within two days, it is estimated, because the Russian forces already have approached within thir-ty-five miles of the city, which is practically unfortified. The two Russian armies of the north, one working along the seacoast, investing Koenigs berg and advaclng against Danzig, the other piercing the center of East Prussia, and preparing to burst through the perfunctory defenses on the Vistula into west Prussia, report steady and rapid progress. The movement toward Posen, however, continues to be the most signiflcent in Russia’s campaign. From Posen to Frankford-on-Oder the distance is barely one hundred miles. bTom Posen to Berlin the distance is but 100 miles. FVithermore, Posen is perhaps the most important railroad center in eastern Germany. Its loss by Germany, it is said, would render difficult any quick shifting of German forces in the eastern field. It is officially stated here that the Russian forces now actually in arms comprises 8,000,000 men, divided into four armies of 2,000,000 .men each. The

plan of mobilisation is to keep adequate reserves in close touch with each column, ready to fill the gaps left by dead and wounded after each engagement.