Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-06

PETRoGARD, Sept. 5,-Grand
Duke Nicholas, commander-in-chief
Of the Russian forces, has issued
general order providing for the mill
tary administration Of all foreign
territory as fast as 1t is occupied by
the Russian troops.
The order calls for the creation OF
a special province consisting Of the
territory occupied in Austria-Hun-
gary and the placing of it under the
administration OF the commander of
the armies operating in the theater
OF war in the southwest.
Statement of General staff.
The Russian general staff today
issued the following account of the
fighting, which led to the capture of
Lemberg, capital of Galicia:
"In the offensive against the Lub-
lin-Kholm front the main Austrian
forces deployed on the zavichost,
Tanoff, Bielgoray, Tomachoff and
Belzine. The second Austrian army
composed of third, eleventh and
twelfth corps and five divisions. of
cavalry gathered in the region east
of Lemberg to cover this operation.
When the Russian troops were
taking the offensive the Austrian
concentration had not been COM
pleted and Typographical considera-
tions compelled the enemy to rein
force the army still more with the
troops of the seventh. thirteenth
and fourteenth corps, thus making
total of twelve divisions of several
brigades of the landsturm.
"Our troops in the Lonthk, Dubno
and Proskuroff districts crossed the
frontier on August 20, and marched
on Lemberg for the purpose of
thwarting the Austrian covering
movement, and acting against the
flank of their offensive was ham
pered by the numerous affluents of
the Dniester river flowing across all
the routes. Moreover, the enemy
possessed on the Dnister river a
series of Qualifications destined to
defend bridges from which they
menaced the Russian left flank and
communications with Russia.
I'm the period between August II and
September 3, the Russian left wing ad-
Vanced 20 versts (about 147 miles. fight
ing all the time. The bulk of the hostile
forces, entrenched in powerful positions
at Kamenka and Galitch. offered battle
and were thoroughly defeated in a des-
rerate struggle.
Lose Twelve Thousand Men.
Between August 81 and September J. IN
one district of the upper course of the
Guila Lipa alone. where the enemy's line
was broken, the Austrians lost 1900 men
IN killed or wounded.
THE retreat of the enemy after his de-
feat at Lemberg Assumed the character
OF disorderly flights and panic, and the
Russians took 200 guns and tens of thou
sands Of prisoners. II is believed that the
remnant OF the second Austrian army is
now no longer OF any military value.
ION September 2, when the Russians
were drawing up within cannon shot OF
Lemberg, the surrounding forts did not
stop this advance. The same day Lem
berg was closely surrounded by Russian
troops and was captured with enormous
quantities of war materials. All tho
buildings in town were packed with Aus
trian wounded who had been Abandoned
In the enemys headlong flight.
StrateEtchlly Important.
Beside the political and military i'm
portance OF Lemberg, as the center q
Galicia, its capture is very important
from a strategic point Of view. as I son
stitutes a great railway junction, com
handing the lines leading TO the rear Of
the Austrian army. which is now halteC
In line with Opole Gamostie and Selz.
The capture OF Lemberg VIII enabl'
the Russian army TO push forward with
still greater intensity"