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. 30

| PETROGRAD. Sept. 30.
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 Engllshman 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 we're
| suddenly sent for by the Austrian police,
| placed under arrest and conveyed to
| prison. simultaneously all our money
was confiscated.
I'VE 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.
word was received that the Russians were
advancing upon the city, and panic broke
out. The entire Austrian administration
fled precpitately.
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 aeropane
made it's appearance over the city watch
ing for the Austrians' departure. The
Austrians fired upon the aeroplane, but
it returned apparently uninjured to the
Russian lines.
Then the invaders made some show OF
opening a bombnrdment I should say
1t was only feint; at any rate, no shells
seemed 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 It scared the already panic
stricken townspeople almost into hyster-
les. Thirty-five thousand persons, some
OF them residents of Lemberg, and others
refugees from the surrounding country,
boted helter-sketer. The large Jewish
population OF Lemberg was particularly
frightened, as the Austrans had sys-
tematically circulated shories that the
Russians would massacre the Jews.
Families carrying a few OF their most
valuable possessions fled pell-mell along
the road. Some had the advantage of
horse carts. and a few had automobiles.
Weeping children. surrounded by their
fearful mothers. rushed about wild-eyed
with fear. Aged men and women, too
old for hasty flight, were Jostled by the
younger refugees In the fright-illed 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 |
5000 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 |
HNiS III THOSE seeking TO go |
to budapest were compelled to deposit
1000 kronen. The cost of LIVING there did |
not seem to be so high.
PITlFUL STREET SIGHTS.
There were pitiful sights In the
streets notably the spectacle of Austrian
soldiers, with wounded bodies, hatless.
shoeless, and in rags, begging crust of
bread
Numbers OF them belonging to the
Slayonic 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
tran military administration and the
STATE OF chaos into which the Austrian
war commissariat degenerated are be-
meath criticism. The Austrian army itself
proved 10 be disunited 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 LemberK in
splendid condition. 1t was attended by
an enormous provision train, with every
requisite In abundance The inhabitants.
especially the Ruthenian Slavs, met the
Cars 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-
tablished by the Russians soldiers being
used for police duty. The Russian com
mander visited the City Hall and de-
clared that he wished 10 co-operata with
the local authorities. This system proved
so efticaeious that the CHIEF Deputy went
to the Russian commander and thanked
him.
We ourselves were well treated by the
Russians VINO lent US money and enabled
Us to travel TO this city. We made ths
Journey free OF all expense, hrst clasS
with party OF Russian onieers. We
were told that We would not be expected
10 pay for anything. and the Russians
were offended when We tried"