Evening star., 1915-06-24
Russians Put Up Strong
Resistance to the Last
at Lemberg, Says Foe

BERLIN via London, June 24.-De-
tails of the taking of Lemberg, while
still meager show that the Russian
troops put up a strong resistance to
the very last and this in spite of the
fact that their situation was hopeless
Before the city fell the armies under
Gen Won Mackensen and Archduke Jo-
seph Ferdinand had driven wedges
deep into the northern section of the
Russian line, even as far as Tanew
cutting this line into two detached
parts Under pressure from the north
west, and following especially an ef-
fective artillery bombardment by the
army of Gen. Bohem- Ermolll. the arch-
duke completed the disaster by break
ing the Russian center. which was sup
ported on Lemberg. AT the same time
Gen. Won Mackensen pressed steadliy
on the soldiers of Emperor Nicholas,
who were in full retreat along the line
from Lemberg to Rawa Ruska Gen.
Boehm- Ermolli assumed the pursuit OF
the enemy to the northeast and east OF
Lemberg.
Begin Another Retreat.
AS soon as the investment of Lem
berg had been completed. according to
the dispatches reaching Berlin. the
Russians. threatened by the further
advance of the Germans and the Aus
tro-Hungarians. also began retreating
from the angle in northern Galicia
formed by the rivers San and Vistula.
a section of territory which lies to the
northwest of Przemysl. as well as from
the district around kielce, in Russian
Poland about 100 miles to the south
of Warsaw.
The victorious troops of the Germanic
allies were given an ovation when they
entered Lemberg. The city is described
as having been little damaged. with
the exception of big fire in the west
Srn part, where the Russians ignited
some petroleum and benzine tanks.
the railroad station and a number OF
adjoining factories The city apparent
1y had not been touched by the artil-
lery fire of the Russians and the
Austr1ans-
Loss Not Counted On.
Captured officers declare that even
until very recently the fall of Lemberg
had not been regarded as even a re-
mote possibility by the Russians. The
Notifications of the city had been mod
ernized by them in every way.
The loss of Lemberg deprives the
Russians Of their last strong support
ing point on Galician soil. The moral
effect Of the occupation also will be
considerable. 1t is now being recalled
IN Berlin that three months ago En-
perfor Nicholas declared that the fall
Of Przemysl, in connection with the oc-
enpation of Lemberg, constituted an
ovefpowertng victory for the Slavs.
Artillery Sent Back.
A special correspondent of the Co.
1ogne Gazette telegraphs that the Rus
SLAMS before the general retreat began
hurrtedly sent back all the artillery
they could move. This was done in
stead of endeavoring to cover the re-
treat Of the artillery and saving all of
II. Part Of the cannon were useless on
account OF poor ammunition. Contin-
uing. the correspondent says:
1T was after the artillery had been
sent to the rear that the panicstricken
troops began their flight. Wagons and
supply trains blocked the roads. Men
detached the horses from these We
hicles and rode away on them needless
Of the crowd of soldiers of all arms
crowding back to the rear. Generals
and colonels were helplessly carried
away. Units were disbanded and the
army became a mere mob 1t was
readily to be seen that catastrophe was
unavoidable"
A report given out today sets forth
that since June ~ $4,000 Russian SOL
diers and nine Russian guns have been
captured.