The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1915-06-24
LENBERG'S FALL
REPORTED TODAY
GALICIAN CAPITAL NOW IN THE
HANDS OF AUsTRo.eERMANs
TROOPS HAVE ENTERED TOWN
Russians Retreating Toward 5rody.
Fighting is Desperate Around
Arras and Battle May De-
eide Frances Fate.

Vienna, June 23.-Lemberg has fal.
len before the triumphant sweep of
the combined Austro German armies
The Galician capital occupied by
the Russians since September 3, 1914,
is now free of the enemy, and several
Austrian troops have entered the
town.
The Russians are retreating in a
nOrtheasterly direction toward Brody.
A brief bulletin was flashed here
from the Austrian field headquarters
today. -.
1t indicated a desperate struggle at
the last Russian barrier few miles
west of the town.
May Decide Frances Fate.
London, June 23.- In the Vosges
the Germans have retired to the east
bank of the Fecht, according to their
own admission, but they assert that
all French attacks have been repuls-
ed
/ The fighting around Arras contin-
ues to be desperate and sanguinary
the Germans counter attacking to off
set the French gains. A wireless dis
patch from Berlin says: Neutral re-
ports declare that the battle ranging
near Arras may decide the fate OF
northern France. The French are
very strong, but the Germans are con
tinually receiving reinforcementS.
The losses on both sides are fearful"
| The house of commons has adopt
ed a measure designing to check sup
plies reaching Germany through neu-
trail states. The bill when it becomes
statute, may have marked effect
on American exports.
Booty viii Be Large.
Although no details of the victory
have been received it is believed that
the Austro-German booty will be
large. Reports to headquarters indi-
Gated that the enemy withdrew heavy
guns and ammunition several days
Iago. In the final charge on the
western gates of Lemberg, it Is pos
isible that the body of Russian defend
ers was either annihilated or cap
tured.
The Russians Last Stand.
The capture of Lemberg deprives
the Russians of their last military
base in Galicia. Several railroad
Icenters and the important lines were
lin the hands of the AustrO-GermaIs
before the city fell. The moral eff
feet of the capture of the city over
shadows the military victory. The
capital of a great Austrian province
has been reclaimed from the enemy.
The Russians it is believed here will
fall back more than 20 miles, making
lis every reason to believe that the
|Austro-German pursuit will continue.
Sixty Thousand Prisoners Taken.
Berlin, 10y wireless through Say
willie, l.. ~ June 23.-SiXty thousand
Russian troops and nine cannon were
captured in the Austro-German drive
on Lemberg, according to a semi-otti-
cial statement today. These figures
cover the fighting for Lemberg since
June IL.
Early Rumors of Victory.
London, June 23.-Lemberg was cap
tured by the Austro-German armies.
according to an unofficial dispatch
from Copenhagen. The. Russians were
forced back by the continued assaults
Of the armies of Won Mackensen, Lin
singer, Woyrach and BOehm, but re-
treated in good order. their forces re-
naming intact The evacuation of the
Galician capital was said to be due to
the weakness of artillery and lack Of
ammunition.
Early ill the day three Austro-Ger.
man armies were within a few hours
! of I
guard was fighting desperately on the
ridge west of the city, and 1t was be-
lieVed that the stubborn defense COW
cred the main retreat from the capital.
Railroad Is Captured.
The railroad and roadway to Lem
berg are in Austro-Germa hands and.
according to a dispatch from Austrian
headquarters, a wedge OF the kaiser's
troops cut through the Russian wing.
parts of which retreated northward.
while the remainder joined the main
force around the city.
A dispatch from Berlin says:
The Russians were defeated ali
along the line. The stubborn defense
of Lemberg was made only to gain
time and save their artillery and war
material The Russian retirement from
the city has begun. ''sG tsA'
Used az Base Of Supplies.
Lemberg has been used as a base
of supplies since it's capture by the
Russians ten months ago. and Its
evacuation is not regarded as great
military triumph for the Austro-G Ger
man armies. The city is not strongly
fortified and therefore was not able
to Withstand the assault by the com
bined armies.
The hospitals and government In
situations have been removed and
it is stated that the evacuation by
the Russian troops was made in good
order.