Evening star., 1915-06-23
IN HANDS OF SLAVS
FOR OVER TEN MONTHS
Objective Of Fierce and Concentrated
Attacks Since the Fall of
Przemysl
PROVINCE NEARLY RECLAIMED
Hundreds Of Thousands Of Men Have
Been Killed, Wounded or
Taken Prisoner in Recent
Weeks.

BERLIN, June 23, by wireless
to Sayville, N. Y.-Lemberg has
been conquered after very severe
battle, according to an official re-
port received here from headquar-
tiers of the AustrozHungarian
army.
The Galician capital fell before
the advance of the second army.
Held by Enemy Ten Months.
Lemberg, capital Of Galicia, was oc-
cupted by the Russians September ,,
1914. about one month after the out
break of hostilities. in the course of
the early Russian drive into Austria.
1t has therefore been in Russian con-
troll for over ten months.
For the past twenty days. since the
Austro-Germans took Przemysl from
the forces Of Emperor Nicholas. 1t has
been the objective Of series of fierce
and concentrated attacks on the part
of the Teutonic allies. Their success
will have a far-reaching political
effect. as the driving out of the Rus
SLAMS from Galicia is counted upon in
Berlin to help maintain the status quo
in the Balkans.
One Of Earliest Successes.
The capture Of Lemberg was one Of
the earliest important successes of the
Russians. Following it they pushed
onward rapidly through Galicia. The
high-water mark of the invasion found
almost all the province in their hands.
They approached within striking dis
tance of Cracow. at the western end
of the province close to the German
frontier; stormed the heights and
passes of the Carpathian mountains,
which separate Galicia from Hungary:
and to the east swept down through
the crown land Of Bukowina to the
Rumanian frontier.
Situation Is Changed.
All this has been changed by the
steady succession of Austro-German
victories OF the last few weeks. The
change began with the launching OF
the great drive from Cracow eastward.
Great numbers of German troops were
sent in to assist the Austrians as well
y
use of artillery by the Teutonic allies
has been described by correspondents
as on a scale never before undertaken
Its effectiveness was relatively in
part of the Russians, which is believed
to have contributed largely to the
weakening of their resistance.
Russians Forced Back,
The Austro- German armies pushed
forward westward through Galicia,
recaptured Przemysl June 3. and then,
without pause, struck at Lemberg from
the south and west At no point were
the Russians able to Withstand the
terrific bcmbardment directed against
their positions. and even the line Of
defenses near Grodek, sixteen miles
west Of Lemberg. which is of great
natural strength, proved to be unten-
able.
With Lemberg now in her hands.
Austria has reclaimed virtually the
whole province of Galicla
The lighting in this campaign has
been of unusual intensity; Win nesVg
losses The figures of killed. wounded
and captured, as given IN Austrian,
German and Russian official state
ments. run into the hundreds of thou
sands.
Planned Occupation.
Russia had made plans for permanent
occupation of Galicia, bringing in Off
eials to set up civil administration in
the territory as fast as it was taken
Lemberg was rechristened Lvov, the
old Russian Polish name. The city has
a population Of about 100000. and was
an important Austrian military sta
tion Although founded in the thir-
teeuth century. 1t is of modern appear
ance and is known for its imposing
buildings. The city is protected by
omtlyine forts, although its defenses
a "a much inferior to those OF PrZemysl
Russians Score Victory