Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 September 1914 — AUSTRIA’S FATE HINGES ON BATTLE NOW BEING FOUGHT [ARTICLE]

AUSTRIA’S FATE HINGES ON BATTLE NOW BEING FOUGHT

30 Divisions of Austrians and Several German Corps Confront Russians.

PRZEMYSL IS NEAR CAPTURE

Stronghold in Galicia Is Gradually BaIng Invested by Czar’s Troopa— Squadron of Death’s Head Hussars Defeated.

Petrograd, via London, Sept. B.—A battle Which, if It results In victory for the Russian arms, will mean the overthrow of the Austrian army and the opening of a road through to Berlin, is now In progress. It may be several days before a definite result will be reached. The rigor of the censorship precludes the divulging of the location of the engagement: Austrian Stronghold Near Capture. Some thirty divisions of Austrians and several German army corps confront the Russian army, which is in great strength. Przemysl, a strong fortress 50 miles west of Lemberg and the last Austrian stronghold in Galicia, is being gradually invested by the Russians and an assault is expected at any hour unless the Austrian commander signifies his intention to surrender. Przemysl’s fall will clear the way for the advance of the Russians westward and will permit them to effect a junction with the Russian army on the East Prussian frontier. Austrian Losses Are Enormous. An official statement of the war of fice says: "The Austrian army corps between the River Vistula and the River Bug are retreating with enormous losses. The resistance of the enemy has been broken. There are evidences of famine in Austria. Death’s Head Hussars Defeated. A squadron to? the Death's Head hussars, formerly commanded by the crown prince of Germany, is imported to have been defeated and badly cut up at a point near Roeoczin, in Poland Every officer in the squadron is reported to have been killed: Count Stolberg. the squadron commander, was among the fallen Capture of Lemberg Is Told. Details of the taking of I.embe;g and of the furious fighting during the 1 I days battle at llalicz are now available. The flight of the Austrians southwest of Lemberg still continues and everywhere the Russians are collecting arms and supplies with war equipment which has been abandoned by the fleeing troops. It Is known that 2,000 rapid fire guns were captured and 30,000,000 rations seized, in the actions at Lemberg and Halicz. Austrians Glad to Surrender. In the flight of the Austrians whole detachments have submitted to being made prisoners, gladly accepting the new- conditions, as they complained bitterly of the rigor of their officers and the privations they were forced to ujadure. 400,000 Seek to Halt Russians. By J. L. GARVIN. London. Sept. B.—Much depends now upon the issue of the desperate conflict between the Russians and the Austrian first arrivy near Lublin and Kholm. It is clear that despite the overthrow of Emperor Francis Joseph’s second army at the result of tlie new struggle must riot be regarded as a foregone conclusion. The first army numbers 400.000 men and re-enforcements are hurrying up. It is fighting not only for its own existence, but perhaps for that of the Hapsburg monarchy.

The czar's generals in their turn know all that is at stake. They are therefore straining every nerve to strengthen the ranks on their right and to bring up the victorious army from Lemberg, despite the fatigue of a fortnight's marching and fighting, in time to participate in the battle If the Hapsburg troops can succeed in holding their ground this will indeed be a long watj If the Austrians were crushed the main roads into the heart of the German empire and to Berlin would soon be clear for the Russian invasion. The effect on the situation in France would be immediate. 70,000 Austrians Captured. Paris, France, Sept. B.—ln a dispatch from Petrograd, a correspondent of the Havas agency says that the Russians took 70,000 Austrian prisoners and 300 cannon of various sizes around Lemberg alone. They also captured three regimental flags, 42 cannon, two aeroplanes, 15 officers and 1,200 men in other engagements in Galicia.