Evening star., 1915-03-24

t,c able to press the advantages derived
tferefrom in All advance to Hungary and
SiIesia continued to be the chief topics
of discussion in the war news today.
The Russians are putting the fortress
In order They are sending the prisoners
so the rear. feeding the starving popuiace
and tending the sick and wounded. Ihe
task is an enormous one and SO 1t Is pre-
sumed that Russia for some time will not
he able to divert elsewhere her strength.
which for so long has been engaged In
front OF this stronghold. These men are
estimated at six army corps.
119.6O2 Soldiers Surrender.
according to figures given by Gen.
kusrnanek late commander at Pre-
mysl. the number of prisoners who
surrendered to the Russians was nine
generals and ninty three officers of
the general STAFF, $500 officers and Off
cials and 10000 men.
A Petrograd dispatch to the Daily
News says it is estimated that 2,400
guns We're captured at Przemysl, of
which one thousand are heavy cannon.
Conditions Fearful.
Pitiable conditions prevailed among
the soldiers defending Przemysl, fur
ther dispatches reveal. Numbers of
the men were dropping from exhaus-
tion. while others had not sufficient
strength to leave the trenches. They
ate moss and gnawed at the straps Of
their equipment to keep themselves
alive.
IT is reported that nearly a quarter
or the garrison had suffered with ty-
phoid and scurvy. Although the ra-
tions were growing more and more
h1yf fArry of thr tevtSn
officers. up to the end of January.
knew that actual starvation was i'm
pending. The real condition of affairs
was learned by the troops when an
sviator. who was starting with mes
sages for Vienna, was shot down by
fhe Russians and fell within the de-
tenders line. After that there was
much grumbling in the garrison and
almost mutiny. Some of the Austrians
slipped through the lines at night and
surrendered to the Russians.
Strain Begins to Tell.
The investing Russian force increased
the intensity Of their bombardment
and the strain on the defenders began
to tell more rapidly during February.
Many were rendered insane by priva-
tions and disease. The death list was
very high.
able to, 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 de-
termination of Gen. Won kusmanek,
commander of the fortress.
By the end of February actual fam
inc prevailed, scarcely living animal
was left. For weeks virtually the only
nh faiy ad
supplies of concentrated foodstuffs
brought by aeroplanes.
A council of officers daily considered
the situation. but not until they were
convinced that there was no hope of
help from an Austrian relief column
did they reach the decision to sur
render.
Sends Graphic Description.
\ Russian correspondent who set out
from Lemburg for Przemysl upon re-
ceipt of the news that the fortress had
surrendered sends a graphic account Of
the conditions prevailing there. which
has been transmitted from Petrograd
to Reuters Telegram COMPANY
on the way the correspondent passed
schclJhiDie, where the Austrians made
their last desperate sortie three days
before. The ground was sttll Uttered
with dead bodies, which were being re-
moved by anbulances. Farther on was
seen pillar OF smoke. marking al!
that remained of the strongest of the
outlying forts.
trenches and bsrbed wire intangle-
Inents. with dozen field guns protrud-
ing. Austrian officers. who retained
their swords. and their men were pass
ing as prisoners 10 tho rear.
All Bridges Destroyed.
From Perekopague. suburb OF
Przcmysl. clear view was obtained
Of the center of the town All the
bridges had been destroyed by the Aus
trians. but tho Russians had already
coIxtructed pontoon bridge. by which
Austrian troops and the inha bitant.
were leaving the town The Cossacks
were waiting 10 go in.
All around the fortress burning forts
Stnoks like circle OF volcanoes whtlt
continuous explosions were heard a.
tho Austrians blew up Ammunition
stores
Austrian soldiers relate that the com
mander OF PrzemSsl. in his official or
ders thanked the people OF the town tn,
evening before the surrender for their
loyal attitude and warned them of the
capitulatlon.
Anstrians Blow Up Works
A. S o'clock the next morning loud
explosions were heard from every par,
of tho fortress, when the Austrian.
were blowing up the works preparatory
70 surrender. Then part OF the Rus
sian forces threw themselves withir
tne fortifications. and by seven in III,
morning the inner sections were II
their hands At the same time. says tn,
correspondent. the Austriatss shot theii
horses TO prevent them from falling
into the hands OF the Russians.
In the meantime the Austrian repre-
sentattves came out TO announce tn,
capitulation OF the garrison and fort
ress. The town of Przemysl itself Is In
tact. the outskirts alone suffered. Th'
large civilian population, chiefly Jews
remained In the town.
Condition Of Surrender.
: summary OF what purports to b.
the conditions upon which the Austrian
garrison AT Przemysl offered to sur
render TO the Russians is printed by tn,