Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-30
LEMBERG IN CHAOS
AS RUSSIANS TAKE
GALICIAN CAPITAL
Austrians, Civil and Mill
tary, in Pell-mell Panic,
Offer Scant Resistance.
Peoples Pathetic Plight.
PETRoGRAD, Sept. 90.

| PEIROGttAD, sept ou
A graphic story of the fall of Lemberg,
GalicIa, and the scenes attending the
Russian occupation of the city, has just
been given to me by an Englshman who
has arrived here after witnessing these
historic events
II am an engineer" said he, land with
a friend of the same calling had business
| in Lemberg We were not molested in
| any way until about week before the
arrival of the Russians, when we were
suddenly sent for by the Austrian police,
| placed under arrest and conveyed to
prison. simultaneously all our money
| was confiscated.
1--WE were kept in cells for four or five
days, during which time absolutely no
food was given us. Fortunately we re-
ceived a small portion of drinking water
each day or the hunger strike would
have been as complete as any undergone
| by suffragettes in the London jails. On
the fourth or fifth day we were released,
but We were both so weak from lack of
| food that we could hardly stand.
"Just about the time we were released
word was received that the Russians were
advancing upon the city. and panic broke
| out The entire Austrian administration
fled precipitately
NO DEFENSE ATTEMPTED
Defense OF the city was not attempted
at all. The Russians gave the demoral-
lied Austrian military authorities three
days in which to surrender and evacuate
the place so that the inhabitants would
be spared the horrors of a bombardment.
"On the third day a Russian aeropIane
made its appearance over the city watch
ing for the Austrians' departure. The
Austrians fired upon the aeroplane, but
1t returned apparently uninjured to the
Russian lines.
"Then the invaders made some show OF
opening a bombardment. l should say
it was only a feint; at any rate no shells
seerned to fall in the city. Surely the
Russian gunners were not such bad
marksmen as all that.
"The noise of the Russian artillery was
terrific. and 1t scared the already panic
stricken townspeople almost into hyster-
les. Thirty-fve thousand persons. some
of them residents of Lemberg. and others
refugees from the surrounding country,
bolted helter-skelter. The large Jewish
population OF Lemberg was particularly
frightened as the Austrians had sys-
tematlcally circulated shores that the
Russians would massacre the Jews.
Families carrying a few of their most
VallIa hla nnSSaSqiOna oIn
the road. Some had the advantage of
horse carts, and a few had automobiles.
Weeping children, surrounded by their
fearful mothers rushed about wlld-eyed
with fear Aged men and women, too
old for hasty flight, were jostled by the
younger refugees in the fright filled mob
Bankers made their escape with all
the money belonging to other people. and
even the savings boxes of the poor were
broken open and the money taken.
Nobody was allowed TO leave by train
for Vienna unless he or she could de-
post at the railway station the sum of
1000 kronen, which was to be returned
when the depositor reached the capital
The reason advanced for this decision
upon the part of the authorities was that
the money was required as security for
the ability OF the invading traveller to
meet the enormously increased cost of
living in Vienna. Those seeking to go
to Budapest were compelled to deposit
1000 kronen. The cost of living there did
not seem to be so high.
PITIFUL STREET SIGHTS.
There were pitiful sights In the
streets, notably the spectacle OF Austrian
soldiers, with wounded bodies, hatless.
shoeless, and in rags, begging a crust of
bread.
Numbers OF them belonging to the
slavonic race got into civilian clothing
and were to be seen carrying their uni
forms under their arms in bundles. They
said they were going to burn them
The utter disorganization of the Aus
trian military administration and the !
state of chaos into which the Austrian |
war commissariat degenerated are be- |
meath criticism. The Austrian army itself |
proved to be disunted and an unwilling |
mass of men that fell apart in the face
OF danger Many of them were only too |
glad TO throw down their arms and sur |
render. When taken prisoner they fra |
ternized like brothers with the Russians |
The Russian army entered Lemberg in |
splendid condition. 1t was attended by |
an enormous provision train, with every /
requisite in abundance. The inhabitants, /
especially the Ruthenian Slavs. met the
Czars soldiers with demonstrations of !
delight The Russian officers were show
cred with flowers and men and women
kissed their hands
Exemplary order was Immediately es-
taolished by the Russians soldiers being
used for police duty. The Russian com
mander visited the City Hall and de-
clared that he wished 10 cooperate with
the local authorities. This system proved
so efficaclous that the Chief Deputy went
to the Russian commander and thanked
him.
We ourselves were we'll treated by the
Russians, who lent US money and enabled
us TO travel to this city. We made the
journey free OF all expense, first class.
with a party of Russian officers. NE
were told that We would not be expected
O. PTE 'Cr vt' Ug ard tEe IrsssiaDs
g. ' III a.