New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
Berlin PRESS LAUDS
PRzENYSL DEFENDERS
Declares Only Hunger Could Subdut
Garrison Of Fortress.
h0URNS LOSS Of STRONGHOLD

Dealt Painful Blow to Tcutonic
Cause on Right Wing of Their Mu-
s,u.i Thousand Kiiomctre Front.
Berlin, March %, via London, l1:l9
4. -l.-The press of the German capt.
tai Unitcs iii paying tribute to the de-
tenders of Przemysl whom, it is de-
clared, only hunger could subdue. At
the same time there is no disposition
to make little of the defeat. The Lo-
ka1 Anzeiger says:
I'VE have no intention of minimiz-
ing the loss our brave allies have SUI
fercd. Przemysl was strong and q
great fortress. It showed its strength
in it's proud defence. We mourn with
our allies it's loss and the loss of its
commander and garrison who have
won laurels whose glory captivity can
not Destroy
Releases Bcleaguering Army.
The Vossische Zeitung says the
forts fall releases the beleaguering
army but while it is not known where
1t will be employed, the Austrians I'M
doubleday are informed and will take
the necessary steps. 49,. g."
Willie we thoroughly agree. with
the view of the Austrian general staff
that the fall of Przemsyl cam have
no Influence on the general situation .
says the Kreuz Zeitung, I'VE neverthe-
less are honest enough to admit it is
painful blow dealt our cause on the
right wing of our mutual thousand
kllometre front"
Events Preceding Sortie.
Petrograd, via London, March %.
S:21 a. m.-Events which preceded
the final desperate sorte of the be-
leaguered garrison in the Austrian
fortress Of Przemysl, designed to
break through the encircling ring of
Russian troops, are described in an
Official communication issued here last
night. The statement says So.
During the last days before the
final sortie the garrison received in
creased rations Each soldier was
given biscuits to last five days, warm,
new clothing and new boots. Officers
were instructed to explain to the
troops that if they returned to the
fortress an inglorious fate awaited
them. and consequently they must
pierce the Russian front at any cost.
Easterly Direction Chosen.
can easterly direction was chosen
for the sortie, as the line of least re-
sistance as we'll as because it led to
the district where the Russians had
large stores of arms and ammunition.
More than 10000 men were ordered
to participate in the sortie, but sew
eral units refused to move despite the
Irgings of the commanders Only the
23rd Honved division and some parts
of the 85th Landwehr and Fourth
Hussars took an active part They
were promptly and decisively defeat
ed
AN official Austrian communica-
ton states that the garrison returned
to Przemysl because it encountered
Overwhelming Russian forces In
this connection it should be noted
that the Russian forces near Przemysl
never were large, and the great sortie
was repulsed principally by territorial
troops and reserves. The total num-
Der of the captured garrison exceed
ed Russian expectations
Gen. Kusmanck's Orders,
Following is the text of an order is
sued by Gen. kusmanek to the gar
rison of the fortress on March Is, the
day before the sortie:
Soldiers: For half year we
children of almost all nationalities of
the beloved fatherland have been in
cessantly opposing the enemy. With
the help Of God and your bravery we
have successfully defended the for
tress against the enemy despite at
lacks, privations and cold.
You already merit the highest
gratitude of your commander in chief
and country and have won the ad-
miration even of the enemy In tho
beloved fatherland thousands of
hearts beat for you and millions wait
with bated breath for news from you.
Announces Last Summons.
Heroes, I announce to you my
last summons. The honor of your
country demands it. l shall lead you
to pierce vita your points of steel
the iron circle of the enemy
"'On, then; march on, even fur
ther, unsparing in your efforts, until
We rejoin the main army, which, after
a hard fight. now nears us. We are
on the eve of a great battle, for the
enemy will be reluctant to abandon
a prize he has coveted SO long. Know,
then, true defenders of Przemysl
each must have but one thought
This is, forward, ever forward. Smash
everything that bars your path.
Soldiers, we have shared our last
provisions. The honor of our coun-
try and ourselves forbids that after
our glorious struggle we should fall
an easy prey to the enemy. Be
heroic, warriors, and we shall open
the way.