ape defeat. Each might be met singly and overwhelmed. The
skill with which their combined operations were carried out was such,
however, that General Brussilov was able to steal into Galicia and
occupy a large part of the country before battle actually was joined.

The secrecy with which his great movement was executed was
extraordinary. It was executed in daylight, covering a period of
thirteen days, from August 19 to August 31, 1915. It was performed in
spite of the fact that the Austrians had many spies, a large force of
trained cavalry, and scouts in aeroplanes darting over the frontier. Yet
not until it was too late did the Austrians discover the real nature of
the Russian turning movement in Eastern Galicia.

In part, this was attributable to the fact that the territory in which
Brussilov was operating was an ancient Russian duchy which had been
wrested from the ancestors of the czar. Eastern Galicia might be
compared to Alsace-Lorraine, which had been torn from France. Peopled by
a Slav race, Eastern Galicia had the same language, religion, and
customs as the soldiers in Brussilov's army.

When at the beginning of operations, Russia first assumed a general
offensive on August 17, the Grand Duke Nicholas issued the following
proclamation addressed to Russian inhabitants of Galicia:

"Brothers--A judgment of God is being wrought. With Christian patience
and self-annihilation, the Russian people of Galicia languished for
centuries under a foreign yoke, but neither flattery nor persecution
could break in it the hope of liberty. As the tempestuous torrent breaks
the rocks to join the sea, so there exists no force which can arrest the
Russian people in its onrush toward unification.

"Let there no longer be a subjugated Russia. Let the country which forms
the heritage of Saint Vladimir throw off the foreign yoke and raise the
banner of united Russia, an indivisible land. May the providence of God,
who has blessed the work of the great uniters of the Russian lands, be
made manifest. May God aid his anointed, the Emperor Nicholas of All the
Russians, to complete the work begun by the Grand Duke Ivan Kalita.

"Rise, fraternal Galician Russia, who have suffered so much, to meet the
Russian army for you and your brethren, who will be delivered. Room will
be found for you in the bosom of our mother Russia without offending
peaceable people of whatever nationality. Raise your sword against the
enemy and your hearts towar