The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-03-23
MUTINY REAL
REASON FOR
FALL OF fort

pETRooRAD. March 23.--in-
splred by the fall OF Prxemysl,
half . million Russian troops
are pressing forward toward
Bukowins. determined 10 strike
. crushing blow against the
Austrlsns.
War office dispatches declare
gigantic movement 10 In
progress along the line from
Dukls Pass 20 the Roumsnisn
frontier. and that the slavs
are driving southwark through
tho csrpsthians.
Military leaders are anxious ia
seize the opportunity 20 crush tho
enemy before he can recover from
the surrender Of the great Gsliclan
fortress after ai1 months siege
Everywhere the Russians found
evidence OF the gallant effort OF the
defenders 10 hold the city.
II was disclosed that most OF the
Inner forts had been destroyed BY
the Austrianr before they ran up
the white flag
The long siege. however. had ex'
hhusted their supplies OF ammuni.
ton. and they did not have enough
explosives 20 level all 81 the inner
Qualifications.
The government IA determined 10
put Przemysl Ia condition 90 with.
stand an attack az the earliest mo
mant. and a Russian garrison OF TO-.
600 men will be stationed Ia the
fortress. The public and private
buildings were not greatly dam.
aged.
Mutiny was the real cause OF the
fall OF Prxemysl The truth OF the
last - hours OF terror within the
walls Of the great fortress became
known today.
Humane endurance had reached
ita limitation.
Turn on Their Masters
Starving. half sick and cold. the
miserable victims OF the Slx.month
siege nj iabt revoitcd. and turned
like huuger-crRKsd wolf hounds
upon their masters
Only when he faced destruction
within did Gen. KuKmanek. the
valiant defender 81 the fortress.
sncenmb 20 the nnrelentlne iron
ring 81 enemies without.
Probably never in the history OF
warfare has there been enacted q
more heroicaiiy desperate and dra.
matte scene than Witnessed the
last hours Of the siege Of PrxemyKll
Men won's obeY Orders
II vas Ia the late afternoon that
kmsmanek gave the order for n
fiaAi dash for liberty
lie summoned cocoa, men 10
prepare for a desperate sortie
against the Russians ~ the south.
in the fnfiorn hope OF cutting their
Way through the beslcsers and en-
abling at least part OF the garri.
son 10 fight its way TO freedom
The frat ominous news TO reach
the general was the report that
several units had refused 10 obey
the orders.
ignore Threat OF Death
Tell them" Kusmanek replied,
that any man who refuses TO obey
orders shall be executed. In this
extremity. we can not parley."
To HIS establishment. the threat
nf death had no effect whatever. II
seemed that the desperate men
rather welcomed the idea
The mutine.rs were quickly
Joined BY other groups and. as
niEht fell. Gen. Kusmanek faced
whole garrison In open. Hullen
lie called together his command.
err and az many officers as couhi
stand within the sound Of hIs voice
In the citadel Of the fortress
There In the haif.dsrkness he
addressed his army. pleading val.
iantiy. but in vain. for the honor
~ his country
Scene Unique In History
The stirring words of the heroic
fell upon ears deaden-
cd with hunger and hearts sick.
ened with despair.
Those who heard this midnight
GRAFTON and quoted IL to the Rus.
sian officers say that the scene
was unique IN history
Kunmanek himself had eaten but
little and was physically weak.
When he realized the futility Of
his efforts he almost collapsed.
Let us then surrender and saws
our country from the shameful dis.
grace Of mutiny." he said.
SHOOTS WIFE AND SELF
OAKLAND, March 23-Fred