SIEGE OF PRZEMYSL ENDED

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2417, 24 March 1915, Page 5

SIEGE OF PRZEMYSL ENDED

GARRISON SURRENDERS LAST DESPERATE SORTIE CRUSHED London, March 22. Official.—Przemysl has fallen. Petrograd, March 22. Official.—Przemysl has surrendered to the Russians. Over half the garrison of Przemysl partook in a sortie at dawn on Thursday. It was preceded by a tremendous artillery attack, in which 20,000 shells were thrown daily. The Russians allowed the garrison, to come within a short distance of their trenches; then their guns were brought to bear. The 23rd Honved Division, consisting of four regiments, was wiped out. Six thousand prisoners were taken. The Russians throughout were determined not to sacrifice lives, and the casualties latterly had been only ten daily. The garrison, estimated at 80,000 in September, numbers only 25,000 now. Prisoners state that the food was completely exhausted, and that the defenders were practically without ammunition. Prior to the capitulation the Russians ocoupied the village of Krassitchine, on. the western front, driving tho garrison to the line of forts on the whole circumference of the fortress. [The High Commissioner's message recording the capitulation of Przemysl is substantially the same as the Press Association message.] v PUBLIC IN PETROGRAD. Petrograd, March 22. There are great rejoicings in the capital over the fall of Przemysl. Cheering crowds fill the streets. The Tsar attended aTo Deum at the Grand Puke Nicholas's headquarters. HOW THE END CAME AT THE BELEAGUERED bITY. - (Rec. March 2, 10.20 p.m.) petrograd, March 23. _ The fall of Przemysl came quickly after the capture on Friday of a hill which enabled the Russian guns to dominate the town. The troops, making a sortie, fought pluckily and desperately. It was erident that the garrison had been too much depleted to defend the whole of the twenty-five mile perimeter of the lino of fortifications, and the assailants' circle hourly narrowed. The hope of relief had been abandoned since the failure of the Austrians to expel the Russians from the_ Carpathians. The .Austrians have sacrificed a hundred thousand men in their efforts to relieve the position. For a, long time-bread was scarce in the town, and towards the end the meat had failed. All cattle and sheep had been slaughtered, and horses were being killed for food. Disease is rampant, and there is a terrible outbreak of typhoid fever. OPERATIONS ON EAST PRUSSIAN FRONT THE RUSSIAN OCCUPATION OF MEMEL. The High Commissioner's official message relating to the Russian attack on Memel, adds some interesting details: — London, March 22, 5.35 p.m. Reports from Petrograd state that the Russian troops reached Memel on Thursday evening, after crossing the frontier at Gordshdy, beating the Germans, and capturing machine guns, and motor-cars laden with stores. Memel was defended by two regiments of the Landsturm, which, after being driven hack, mingled with the population. "The Russian troops, on entering the town, received a fire from the houses and barricades, the civil population taking part in the fighting, so they withdrew and bombarded the town, the shells ending the resistance. The town was evacuated by the Germans. The inhabitants are fleeing to Konigsbcrg along the Baltic coast. (Rec. March 23, 5.30 p.m.) London, March 22. The capture of Memel has caused consternation in North-Eastern Germany. The position will be difficult to .retake, as the nature of the coasts makes a"n advance from the south impossible. It _ will require a force landing from the sea.—("Times" and Sydney 'Sun" Ser-vices.) GERMANS ASSERT THAT RUSSIANS WERE EXPELLED FROM MEMEL. , _ _ . , Amsterdam!! March 22. A German official message state that the Russians were expelled from Memel after obstinate street fighting.

FIERCE FIGHTING IN THE CARPATHIANS

I RUSSIAN ADVANCE INTO HUNCARY.

(Rec. March 23, 5.30 p.m.)

London, March 22. The Russian artillery mads havoc of the. AusErians in the vicinity of CzerJiowitz (the capital of Bnkovinn). The r.itndstiirm, who arc untrained. are fleeing, and carrying a tale of disaster throughout the countryside.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun." Services.)

(Rec. March 2-i 9 p.m.)

Petrograri, March 2.1. Official.—"There has been stubborn fishtintr in tho Valleys of th? Ondava. and Lahore Rivers, near the Lukow Pass, and also on the left hank of t|i4 Sin. Wn raptured 200 men, fifty officers, and four aacliias aiuifi.

''The Germans, ir. closa formation, attacked our positions at Rosskhacz, Orawchik, and Tiosoinvhkwa (in the direction of JTunkacs, on the Hungarian sido of the .Carpathians); we repulsed tho enemy with heavv loss." , Tho 1-ligli Commissioner reports (London, March 23, 3.50 p.m.) Iloports from Petrograd state that- in tho Carpathians furious fighting ooourred on the roads to Bartfeld (on tho Hungarian sido of the Dukla Pass). ''In tho v alleys iof the Ondava and La Borcz, near tho Lupkow Pass, and °n the left bank of the Upper Sail, tho. Russians advanced, forcing their way with nuo fire and bayonet. Diiring the (lay they took 2500 prisoners. In tho direction of Munkacs tho Gorman attacks on the Russian positions were driven back with severe losses. THE CAMPAIGN IN.THE CAUCASUS . Tile High Commissioner reports (London. March 23, 3.00 a.m.):— 11l the Caucasus on Saturday a Turkish attempt to take tlii offensive in the coast region was defeated in several places, the Turks bcins. put to flight.