Some mystery exists as to the situation on the eastern front. For two consecutive days the Russians have confined themselves to brief state litems that nothing of importance had occurred. The Austrian and German War offices have been almost equally uncommunicative. The only fighting mentioned by Vienna was the repulse of Russian attacks on the lines of General von Boehui-Rrull, who is in command of the Teutonic forces retreating from the Tarnopol front. Berlin reports the repulse of Russian attacks south of Rrody.
The lull in the Italian operations in the Balkans is officially explained from Rome as due to General Cadorna's desire to strain his lines before proceeding with a general offensive against the great Austrian seaport.
Vustrlan seaplanes have again raided Venice, but Rome says they caused only slight damage.
LONDON, August 17.?Six determined German counterattacks on the British trenches northwest of Pozieres were repulsed, with heavy losses to the attackers, according to the official statement issued by the War Office tonight.
Northwest of Bazentin the British captured about 1,000 yards of German trenches.
The statement follows:
"On our right there was considerable activity all day. Last night and early this morning the enemy delivered a series of determined counterattacks on our trenches northwest of Pozieres on a broad front with considerable forces. Six."  times his infantry advanced to the attack, but ran back, suffering very heavy losses. Our guns and machine guns did great execution. In no cases did he succeed in entering our lines. "Northwest of Bazentin we captured about 100 yards of trenches. A counterattack made by the enemy today from Martinpuich was repulsed, and some prisoners were captured by us. 