New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-04
Great Forces Freed
to Take the Field
Against Italy.
AUSTRIANS HOPE
TO CLEAR GALlCIA
Petrograd Admits Loss of
the Great Fortress
on San.
AMMUNITION LACKING
AMMUNITION LACKING
Shortage Of War Material One
Cause of Speedy Defeat of
MuscOvite Troops.

LONDON, June o.-lne Austro-
German armies under Genera! Won
Mackensen early this morning cap
tured the stronghold of Przemysl,
thus achieving the main object Of
the great thrust which they began
against the Russian lines in West
ern Galicia just a month ago to-
day. The announcement is made
officially from Petrograd, Vienna
and Berlin.
The Petrograd statement consists
of bare announcement Of the fall
of the fortress.
The victors are now ready for
the next phase of the campaign, an
endeavor to push on to Lemberg and
even farther, and put the Russians
in such a position that they will not
be able to resume the offensive for
many months. Their present VIC
tory, however. it is believed, will
release strong German forces for
immediate operations against Italy.
Siege Lasts Twenty Days.
The entrance Of the victorious
troops into Przemysl at $3.50 o'clock
this morning. marked the end OF
siege of only twenty days. When the
Russians starved out the Austrian gar
rison at Przemysl. en- operation which
brought them into the fortress on
March p, they did il slowly and sys-
tematically, conserving the lives OF
their own men as much as possible.
The method the Austro- Germans have
been employing recently 70 accomplish
the same end has been entirely differ
ent. Their expenditure in men and
ammunition has perhaps outdone any
thing in this war, not even excepting
the German rushes for Calais and the
terrible struggles along the User River.
The number Of Russians captured
with the fall of Przemysl hes not been
announced. 1t is reported from Aus
trian sources, however, that the double
track railroad 20 Lemberg was busily
employed before the capture Of the
fortress in the transportation OF
Russian troops 10 the rear. IL
was regarded as fairly certain that
the Russians. having lots Of time. got
away as many men and as much ma
material as possible and destroyed the
guns and ammunition that remained.
Russians Lack Ammunition.
Whether or not the Teutonic allies
reach Lemberg. they have won great
victory and with suddenness which
overshadows all past operations or
the war. Il was only ten weeks ago
that Przemysl fell 70 the Russians
after six months Investment, inter
rupted for only a short time in No
vember by an Austrian advance. With
the surrender OF the fortress there
fell into the Russian hands. according
10 official reports, 10000 Austrians
and coo guns and an immense amount
of war material
Most OF the forts. however, had been
completely destroyed BY the Austrisns
before they surrendered. and this ~
believed in military circles here 20
account partly for the fact that the
fortress succumbed so quickly 10 the
Austro- German attack. Another po-
tent reason was the Russians short
age of ammunition, a condition which
is admitted IN to-day's official bulletins
from Petrograd.
When the Russians captured
fra
trians across the Carpathian passes.
Then. on May 3. came the news of
p great Austro- German 'rrJst into
Galicia. advancing slowly but surely
and accompanied by thousand
guns. The Teutons compelled the Rus
slams TO fall back until the Rus
sian line ran 20 the right bank OF
the River San. Crossing the river, the
Austro-German forces progressed 70
the north and south Of the fortress,
and on Tuesday Berlin announced that
three fortS 20 the north had been
stormed, while Vienna stated that the
railway between Przemysl and Lem
berg was commanded by Austrian guns.
Retire on Lemberg.
There was still hope IN the Allied
countries, however, that a Russian
counter-oFensiye would hold the in
vaders off, but this proved ill-founded,
and this morning the Russians had 10
give up the city which. earlier in the
war. had cost them so dearly 10 win.
Reports from Austrian military
ayiators. according 10 dispatches from
Vienna. show that the Russians them
selves were Of two minds regarding
the deferce Of PrzemysL While the
Austro- German forces were approach
ing the San River, and even after tn'
c.mnatcn against the fortress began,
,bo Russians poured a stream Of trains
w,th reinforcemenis. ammunition ana
supplies into Przemysl along tho
double track railroad from Lemberg.
When the besiegers approached within
artillery range OF the railroad and
highway the movement in this dirse-