Official communiques issuing from various sources yesterday convey the following intelligence as to the progress of the war:
The victory of the Russians under General Russky at Lemberg was of the most overwhelming character. The Grand Duke Nicholas, in announcing the capture of Lemberg to the Emperor, mentions also that General Brusiloff has taken Haliez, a town 60 miles south-southeast of Lemberg.
A detailed account of the fighting which led to the capture of Lemberg has been published by the Russian General Staff. This account not only confirms the sweeping character of the victory won by the Russian armies, but points its immense strategic importance. "It is believed," the statement runs, "that the remnant of the second Austrian Army has now no longer any military value."
It appears that this army, originally composed of three corps and five divisions of cavalry, was reinforced by the troops of three more corps and by several brigades of Landsturm.
The Russians began to march on Lemberg on August 17, and from that day till September 3 the left wing advanced 220 versts over difficult country, fighting all the time. The bulk of the Austrian force, strong]y entrenched, were thoroughly defeated in a desperate battle on August 31 and September 1. In one district alone the Austrians lost 20,000 killed and wounded.
After the defeat at Lemberg the retreat became a disorderly flight and panic, in which 200 guns and tens of thousands of prisoners were lost to the pursuing Russians.
On September 3 Lemberg was captured, with an enormous quantity of war material.
Lemberg is not only the capital of Galicia, but a great railway junction, and its possession will enable the Russian Army "to push forward with still greater intensity."
A statement issued by the Press Bureau yresterday afternoon, and "based on information from a trustworthy source," mentions that seven German destroyers and torpedo-boats have arrived at Kiel in a damaged condition, and that others have sunk in the vicinity of the Canal. No explanation of the event is given.
A British submarine yesterday brought into Harwich a German airman and his mechanic, who were found floating in the North Sea. Their aeroplane had broken down. After the men had been made prisoners the machine was sunk.
With regard to the situation in the French theatre of war, a bulletin issued by the Official Press Bureau last night, declares that there has been no substantial change, and that the position of the Allies is well maintained. There are indications that the German movement has developed in an eastward and south-eastward direction.
The French President and the Ministry arrived at Bordeaux yesterday at noon. They were received enthusiastically.
In relation to the casualties sustained by the Expeditionary Force, a third list of names was published last night. It includes 16 officers killed, 60 wounded, and 94 missing, and 67 wounded N.C.O.'s and men who have been admitted to the Herbert Hospital, Woolwich. Among the killed are Lieutenant-Colonel Brett and Lieutenant-Colonel Dykes, and among the wounded are Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. G. H. Morris and Brigadier-General R. Scott-Kerr.
The King and Queen yesterday paid a round of visits to wounded officers from the Expeditionary Force who are being treated in private homes in London.
On the subject of the war, and its significance for this country, the Prime Minister addressed a great and enthusiastic meeting in the Guildhall yesterday, when he declared that "there was abundant ground for pride and confidence." He was followed by Mr. Bonar Law, and speeches were also delivered by Mr. Balfour and Mr. Winston Churchill.
At Belfast yesterday over 800 of the North Belfast Regiment of the Ulster Volunteers enlisted in a body for service in the Army, marching through the town amid scenes of great enthusiasm. Other regiments are following the lead thus given.
The French Minister for Foreign Affairs has addressed a communication to the Powers formally calling attention to the numerous violations of International Law by the Germans, and to their systematic burning and pillaging of villages.
At Antwerp it is announced that there is no change in the situation, and that the provinces of Antwerp, Limburg, and Hasselt are free of the enemy. In Northern Brabant the Germans have destroyed several bridges on their front.
The Prince of Wales's National Relief Fund yesterday reached the total of £2,189,000.