South Bend news-times., 1915-03-23

fetal announcement was made
here that the Germans are pre-
pairing TO lift the siege of Osso-
vice. The fire of the siege artil-
lery there Is becoming weaker and
several neaVy siege batteries have
been Withdrawn. II is believed at
the war office that this forecasts
a general retreat OF the Germans
from the Bobr river front.
PETROGRAD, March 23 with
he great Galician fortress of Przemysl
N Russian hands. the Russian army
Uhich captured this stronghold after
4 siege of many months. has already
been set in motion westward against
CracOw, the only important city in
Galicia remaining in Austrian posses
sion, according 10 information re-
ceived here today.
A gigantic offensive movement is
being launched by the Russians all
along the line and the indications are
that one of the biggest battles yet
fought on Austrian soil is developing.
Estimates OF the number of Aus
trian prisoners taken vary, but a dis
patch from Lemberg states that more
captives were taken than at first was
believed and the number may reach
100000.
Find City OF Death.
When the Russians entered Prem
ISL they found il a city OF death. dis
ease and ruins. All the horses except
those owned by army officers had been
killed for food Foul water had
caused an outbreak of typhoid fever.
The hospitals were fun of sick,
wounded and dying. The streets of
the suburbs were Iidged with mounds.
where dead soldiers had been buried.
The great forts were masses of wreck
age. having been dynamited on orders
of Gen. Hermann Won kusmanek,
commander of the garrison.
Although the victory was q big one,
10 had cost the Russians dearly it
is estimated that 1900 Russians
were killed and wounded during the
months the siege went on.
Toward the last the Austrians grew
prOdigal OF ammunition. Ii is sup
posed that the officers saw that sur
render was inevitable. and decided 10
hasten il by eNpending all their ann
munition i'm one great burst Of can
nonading.
Rush Aid To CTacow.
The AusuianS are reported to be
rushing all possible achievements 20
Cracow and the Carpathians To resist
the : Veep OF the Russians. Tt will
require n gigantic force 20 stem the
onrush of Grand Duke Nicholas host
for the Russians are reported TO be
massing close TO 100000 men i'm the
Carpathians and on territory adjacent
20 the mountains
Complete control of east and cen
trail Galicia is given to the Russians
hy the fan of Przemysl The Rus
slams also hold the Cracow railway
line from Przemysl to TarnOw which
viii give them tremendous adj
vantage in transporting men and ar
tillery against the latter city.
calls TO the Germans viii probably
be answered in the negative for FielC
Marshal Won Hindenburg has use fol
all his men in Poland at present Il
appears tnat the Austrians will have
e. fight their own battle. supported
~ the COMPARATIVELY small number oi
Germans that happen To be on Gallo
ian soil at this time
Call Victory Important.
Russian newspapers speak Of tn,
capture OF Przemysl as one of th'
really important achievements of tn,
war and Grand Duke Nicholas il
highly praised for the patience an,
caution which the attacking force
exercised 90 keep down their casual
ties. 1t is reported that the car ha
sent a telegram OF congratulation {,
the Russian commander i'm chief al
though any messages sent to th
front viii be delayed owing 20 a Crea
blizzard which has played havoc Will
telegraphic communication. Thi
storm has prevented all the details %
the capture from reaching here bu
a helated message from Lemburg saw
that 10000 Austrians took part i'm
final s0rtie--a forlorn hope agains
the Russian ring of steel Some q
the starved. wOTn-Out Austrian de
tachments refused 10 take part in tn.
last attack. showing that the moral
OF the Austrian defenders had bee
broken
The Russians captured a numbe
OF standards. but few war supple
fel Into their possession with tn
capture OF Przemysl. The city Wa
practically destitute of food and Vir
tually ali the ammunition had bee
shot away The great guns in tn
forts here being rendered useless Il
most instances by the blowing up O
the works However. it Is estimate
that between $4,000 and S5. 600 smol
arms were taken by the captors.
AUSTRIANS CLAM $4,000
ESC APED FROM PRZE,NfN~ Il