PRZEMYSL RINGED BY BLAZING FORTRESSES

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 72, 25 March 1915, Page 5

PRZEMYSL RINGED BY BLAZING FORTRESSES

AUSTRIANS BLOW UP THEIR STORES BEFORE SURRENDER. TWENTY THOUSAND WOUNDED AMONG PRISONERS. PETROGRAD, March 24. A correspondent proceeding from Lemberg towards Przemysl saw fortresses round the town burning like a circle of volcanoes. From the southern and western sectors came a succession of violent explosions, followed by clouds of smoke as the Austrians blew up ammunition stores. When the Russians heard the explosions they rushed past the forts and occupied the inner sectors. The Austrians, meanwhile, shot their horses to prevent them falling into the hands of the Russians. Then the parlementaires announced the surrender of the fortress. Many of the garrison dropped from exhaustion. Some had not sufficient strength to leave the trenches. Most gnawed 6craps to keep themselves alive. Twenty thousand wounded are among the prisoners. The town 13 intact, the outskirts alone having suffered. RUSSIA'S PROWESS AND INVINCIBLE DETERMINATION. m (Time, and Srmey Son Serrlc__J '"*;•> LONDON, March 24. The "Times," in a leader, says that the fall of Przemysl is the most welcome and important episode since the New Year. It congratulates the Russians on the new vindication of their prowess, and invincible determination, which will stimulate the whole of the Allies to more and more vigorous efforts. The siege coinciding with the end of winter, ought quickly to result in a general clearing up in East Galicia.