New-York tribune., 1915-03-24

during the spring WohNhsi N"V
are expected to throw all their strength
against the Austrians and attempt
finally TO crush them.
The mutiny which hastened the sur
render Of Przemysl and other events
which preceded the final sortie OF the
beleagured garrison are described IN
the following official communication
issued here;
"During the last days before the
final sortie the garrison received IN
creased rations. Each soldier was
given biscuits TO last five days, warm
new clothing and new boots. Officers
were Instructed TO explain to the troops
that II they returned to the fortress
an ingloricus fate awaited them, and
consequently they must pierce the Rus-
sian front at any cost.
Men Refuse 10 Obey.
"An easterly direction was chosen
for the sortie as the line OF least resist
snce. as well as because u led TO the
district where the Russians had large
stores Of arms and ammunition. More
than twenty thousand men were or
dered TO participate in the sortle, but
several units refused to move. despite
the urgings OF the commanders. Only
the 90 Honved division and some parts
of the S5th Landwehr and 4th Hussars
took an active part. They were prompt
ly and decisively defeated.
"An official Austrian communication
states that the garrison returned 10
Przemysl. because il encountered over
whelming Russian forces. In this con
nection it should be noted that the
Russian forces near Przemysl never
we're large, and the great sortie was
repulSed principally by territorial
troops and reserves. The total number
of the captured garrison exceeded nus
sian expectations.
IL is reported that nearly a quarter
of the garrison Of Przemysl had SUI
fered with typhoid and scurvy. Al
though the rations were growing more
and more limited, none but few OF /
the higher officers, up to the end OF
January. knew that actual starvation
was impending. The real condition /
was learned by the troops when an
aviator, who was starting with mes
sages for Vienna, was shot down by
the Russians and fell within the de-
tenders lines. After that there was
much grumbling in the garrison and
almost a mutiny. Some of the Aus |
trians slipped through the lines that
night and surrendered to the Russians. !
Many Made Insane.
The investing Russian forces in
creased the intensity of their bonn
. bardment, and the strain on the de-
Tenders began to tell more rapldly
during February. Many were rendered
insane by privatlons and disease. Ihey
filed every available place, but were
without medical attention Inc oeaVh
list was very high.
Civilian inhabitants who had been !
upaole 70 escape when the siege began /
swarmed about the forts begging food /
and refuge, but the commandant was
unable to care for them. The death OF /
two prominent generals in February .
from typhoid tended to weaken the /.
forces ii General Won Kusmanek
By the end of February actual .
famine prevailed; scarcely living AMI
nal was left. For weeks the only sus-
tenance was obtained from small sup /
plies of concentrated foodstuhs .
brought by aeroplanes. =
A council of officers daily considered
the situation, but not until they were
convinced that there was no hope OF /
helm from an Austrian relief column /
did they reach the decision to sur
render.
Final Appeal to Troops
General Won Kusmanek's final but
utile appeal to his troops 10 WIN
way fsom the fortress has been trans
mitted to Petrograd. The Austrian
commander said: Ill
Soldiers: For half a year we cnLi
dren of almost all nationalities OF the
beloved Fatherland have been inees-
sanity opposing the enemy. Wlth the
heIp of God and your bravery we nave
successfully defended the fortress
against the enemy, despite attacks prl-
vations and cold. ,.-,.
You already merit the hlghest grau,
tude of your commander-ln-chle1 anu anu
country, and have won the admlr{atloIi {oI
Fatherland thousands Of hearts DeaS
for YOU and millions wait with bated
breath for news from you. Heroes,
announce TO you my last summons
The honor Of your country demands IL.
| shall lead you to pierce with your
points of steel the iron circle Oh the
enemy. ..L
On then, march on, even further
unsparing in your efforts until we re-
ioin tbe main army which, after
hard fight, now nears Us. We are on
the eve of a great battle, for the
enemy will be reluctant TO abandon
prize he has coveted so long. hnow'
then, true defenders OF Przemysl, each
must have but one thought That ls'
forward, ever forward. oiHaSH S'N4J
thing that bars your path.
Soldiers, we have shared our last
provisions. The honor of our country
and ourselves forbids that after our
glorious struggle we should fall an
easy prey 10 the enemy. BE heroic,
warriors. and we shall open the way.
Fortress Well Equipped.
The captured fortress, which now re-
sumes its old Russian name OF Per
mysl" was magnifcently equipped in
the way Of engineering and artillery
and was defended with greater skill and
determination than the Austrlans nave
shown anywhere else. Day attacks
were impossible and night attacks were
difficult owing 70 the many search
lights, but the Russians sapped stead
ily forward, getting their guns gradu-
aiIy into dominant positions TIL they
could choose their own time lot the
completion of victory.
All the centres of population In Rus
sia have spontaneously decided TO place
the conquest of Przemysl high in the
annals Of their country. The citizens
of Moscow were the first to declare the
historic dimensions Of the victory. On
Sunday night the old capital was WIS.,
ited by q terrific snowstorm, accom-
panied by thunder and lightning.
throughout yesterday the beautiful
city was covered deeply with snow and
traffic was nearly at standstill. Then