ut during the time lost
through the unexpected resistance of Belgium huge Russian armies were
gathered together in Russian Poland for an invasion of Germany and
Austria-Hungary.

The western border of Russian Poland is less than two hundred miles from
Berlin. But Russia could not advance along this road without running
the risk of having the Germans from the north and the Austrians from the
south cut off her armies from their sources of supply in Russia. In
other words, Russia dared not advance on Berlin without first driving
the Germans out of East Prussia and the Austrians from Galicia. Hence
the plan of her campaign in 1914 was to invade these two provinces.

[Illustration: EASTERN FRONT Dec. 31, 1914]

BATTLE OF TANNENBERG.--Two Russian armies entered East Prussia in the
middle of August. At first they met with success. The nature of the
country, however, was against them, as there was a chain of almost
impassable lakes, marshes, and rivers stretching across their route. In
this difficult territory they were surprised by German reinforcements
which had been rushed to the east. In the battle of Tan'nenberg (August
26-31), the German troops under the command of General von Hindenburg
inflicted a crushing defeat upon the Russians, capturing 70,000 men and
large quantities of supplies. Hindenburg followed up his success, and
the Russians were completely expelled from East Prussia.

THE RUSSIANS OVERRUN GALICIA.--The second part of the Russian plan,
the invasion of Galicia, was more successful. In September the important
city of Lemberg was taken, and the fortress of Przemysl (pshem'ishl) was
besieged. By December almost the whole province was in Russian hands.
South of Galicia, separating it from Hungary, are the Carpathian
Mountains. Russian troops penetrated the passes of this mountain wall
and conducted a series of successful raids upon the plains of northern
Hungary.

THE RUSSIAN SITUATION AT THE CLOSE OF 1914.--At the end of the year
Russia, while she had achieved success in Galicia, had failed in East
Prussia. An advance toward Berlin was for the time out of the question.
Indeed the Germans had themselves taken the offensive and had entered
Russian Poland. In October an advance of German and Austrian troops
threatened Warsaw, the most important city in Poland. The Russians in
spite of strong efforts were unable to drive their enemies entirely out
of this region. On the whole, therefore, the Russian situation