The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1915-03-25

London, March 23.-The Petrograu
correspondent of the Times sends
word that. information from Russian
and neutral sources indicates that the
position of the Austrian and German
forces in the Carpathians is most crit
ical
London, March 23.-The white flag
was hoisted on the fortress of Pre-
mysl during the day and the Russian
army entered the city without fring
shot after a siege of six months to the
day that has few parallels in history.
Fifty thousand Austrian soldiers, 200
officers and nine generals threw down
their arms and surrendered, worn to
the last extremity by disease and
hunger. The fall of the fortress is re-
garded in Petrograd end London as
the greatest victory for Russian arms
since the beginning Of the war.
Following up quickly the advantage
gained by the capture of the Austrian
stronghold, the Russian army has be-
gun a gigantic battle along the en-
tire Carpathian front. Re-enforce-
ments have been rushed into the
mountains in the expectation OF the
fall Of Przemysl and everywhere the
Austrians are being attacked with
marked stubbornness.
The most violent conflicts are TAX
ing place in the vicinity of the Dukla,
Uszok and Lupkow passes, which are
the three principal passes nearest
Przemysl, from which they are dis
tant only about fifty miles.
Russian Official Report.
The official statement received from
Petrograd says:
"In consequence of the joyful event
of the surrender of the fortress of
Przemysl Generalissimo the Grand
Duke Nicholas has been awarded the
st. Georges cross Of the second de-
gree and General Seliwamoff, COM
mander Of the army before PrZemysl.
has been awarded the st. Georges
cross of the third degree"
Two Days Losses 10000.
Austro- German losses in the at
| tempted sortie from Przemysl and the
fighting south Of Tarnow in the last
| As hours total more than forty thou.
sand, according to a semiofiicial state
ment from the Russian war office. The
garrison originally numbered 100000
men. The Russian armies engaged in
| The siege are now expected to ad-
vance simultaneously to besiege the
fortress of Cracow and to aid in the
invasion of Hungary.
Petrograd Crowds Cheer.
The news of the fall of the fortress
evoked the widest scenes in Petro-
grad since the beginning of the war.
Crowds massed in the street and be-
fore the government buildings cheer
ing wildly.
For months the only means Of com.
munication between Przemysl and the
outside world was by wireless teleg.
raphy and aeroplanes.
Under Fire Five Months.
1t was nearly five months ago that
| the Russian army under General Dimi-
trieff, Bulgarian, laid the formal
siege TO Pr7emysl. That was early In
| November, at the time OF the Austrian
retirement from central Galicla. and
ever since the Russians have been sub
jectlng the Galician city to heavy
bombardment Attacking forces of
Russians were sent against the forts
| defending the city, but were beaten
Off. The siege went on, the Russian
lines drawing closer and closer FL
nally all communication between
| Przemysl and the outside world was
cut off except by aeroplane.
! General Dimitreff IS supposed to
have had 100000 men in the original
army which bcloaguered the Galician
city and "A great amount of heavy ar
! tillery. chiefly mortars. The garrison
! Of the beleaguered city has been esti-
mated all the way from $4,000 to To-
600 1t Is likely that the defending
army really numbered about 10000.
New Battle Opens.
Another great battre has opened in
! Poland on the front extending from
Myszeniec to Kasdlo, according to re-
ports received from the front The
war office admitted that the Germans
had reached Kasidlo, which is only ten
miles from the fortress of Ostrolenka,
located AZ the junction Of the Ranew
and Omulew rivers, but declared that
the Russians had halted their foes
advance there, intlicting heavy losses
Dispatches from Siedlce state that
the Germans attacked the Russians
positions at Kasidlo with great valor
advancing to the wire entanglements
in close formation, that enabled the
Russians rapd.tire guns to NOW them
| down.