The Spectator., 1915-03-26
FORT
 FALLS ID RUSSIA
GALlciAN STRONGHOLD IS CAP. TURED AFTER SIX MONTHS
 CONTINUOUS ASSAULTS.
CAPTURE MOST IMPORTANT
Victory By Cxar's Men Has Opened the Way to Germany and
 Hungary.

London.-The long investment of the midGalician fortress of Przemysl has ended. Depleted by disease, sub- sisting on horse flesh and surrounded by superior force of Russians, the garrison has surrendered to the be- sieging army after a defense lasting ent, is recorded as Austria's most note worthy contribution to the war.
 Petrograd, London and Paris are celebrating the event-Petrograd and Paris in the spontaneous man. ner characteristic of these cities; London with silent and grim satisfac. tion, which is the Briton's way. ! The newspapers assert that the fall of the fortress marks the most import. ant capture of the war; not accepting Antwerp. in that 1t not only releases considerable Russian forces which can be thrown into the struggle in the Car. rathians, but opens the door to Cra- COW and the plains of Hungary.
 Expect Good Moral Effect.
 It is argued, moreover, that the nor al effect of the surrender will be tre- mendous the theory of the allies being that 1t will stimulate feeling in their favor both in Roumania and Bulgaria just as the operations in the Darda. nelles are causing on agitation in Greece and Italy
 Przemysl fell with honor. the British press comedies. for 1t withstood the onslaughts longer than any place dur ing the war, the investment having begun about September 16, something i. more than six months ago.
 The duration of the siege compared with the length of time it took the Germans to capture such strongholds as Liege. Namur and Antwerp was dae to two causes, one being the desire of the Russians to keep the loss of life among the besieging army at a mint. mum: the other to the lack of great guns, which the Germans had in Bel. gium.
 eeslegers Kept at Distance.
 The investment was not close one. The garrison held up until recently a radius of about 12 miles in which to move about and some dispatches told of shooting expedition indulged in by the officers of the garrison. An aero plane post mas maintained almost up to the last, and 1t is said that even some scanty food supplies were car. ried fin this way.
 The Przemysl garrison was estimat- ed at S0.000 men last September. and last week it was reported that 1t had diminished to 25.000. There have been recurrent reports of cholera and other diseases, but these reports were as vague as many of the premature re- ports regarding its surrender.
 Petrograd sends the following on the fall of the Galician stronghold:
 "The Przemysl garrison. which ca. pitulated to the Russian army, sur. rendered without fight The hoist. ing of the white flag over the fortress. which was said to be on the point of surrender on number of occasions, caused little surprise. as 1t was gener. ally known that 1t was in a terribly weakened condition. without food or ammunition, and that its endurance was only question of days
 War Office advices report that nine Austrian generals were taken. more than 300 officers and 5O.OOO men.
 "The Russian general commanding the investing army has been decorated with St Georges cross.
 Snow Falls to Check Joy.
 "A heavy snowstorm failed to check the enthusiastic demonstrations in which the civil and military popula. tions united when the fall of Przemysl was announced. The crowds founder. ing fin deep drifts. which tied up street traffic, cheered the officers and sol. diers. who remained to participate in the celebrations.
 From the Kazan cathedral the strains of the national anthem swelled in volume as the crowd gathered and from r'her points throughout the city mysterl " hidden behind the dense curtain oi Hing snow. music burst forth and aduej to the general spirit of enthusiasm. The moral effect of the victory on Russia, 1t is expected, will be very great, awakening hopes that this will be the turning point in the Galician and Carpathian cam paign."
 Austrian Statement.
 The following official communities, ton has been issued from Vienna:
 After four months investment Przemysl has honorably fallen. The commander has received an order to leave the fortress to the nmy in three days bcause at the moment of attack even with the greatest economy in the food rations, resistance could ba