New York Times Current History: The European War, Vol 2, No. 2, May, 1915 | Page 5

in accordance with orders, delivered an attack in the
morning from Givenchy simultaneously with that against Neuve

Chapelle, but as the enemy's wire was insufficiently cut very little
progress could be made, and the troops at this point did little more than
hold fast to the Germans in front of them.
On the following day, March 11, the attack was renewed by the Fourth
and Indian Corps, but it was soon seen that further advance would be
impossible until the artillery had dealt effectively with the various
houses and defended localities which had held the troops up along the
entire front.
Efforts were made to direct the artillery fire accordingly, but, owing to
the weather conditions, which did not permit of aerial observations, and
the fact that nearly all the telephone communications between the
artillery observers and their batteries had been cut, it was impossible to
do so with sufficient accuracy. When our troops, who were pressing
forward, occupied a house there, it was not possible to stop our artillery
fire, and the infantry had to be withdrawn.
As most of the objects for which the operations had been undertaken
had been attained, and as there were reasons why I considered it
inadvisable to continue the attack at that time, I directed General Sir
Douglas Haig on the night of the 12th to hold and consolidate the
ground which had been gained by the Fourth and Indian Corps, and
suspend further offensive operations for the present.
The losses during these three days' fighting were, I regret to say, very
severe, numbering 190 officers and 2,337 of other ranks killed, 359
officers and 8,174 of other ranks wounded, and 23 officers and 1,720 of
other ranks missing. But the results attained were, in my opinion, wide
and far-reaching.
_Referring to the severity of the casualties in action, the Commander in
Chief writes:_
I can well understand how deeply these casualties are felt by the nation
at large, but each daily report shows clearly that they are endured on at
least an equal scale by all the combatants engaged throughout Europe,
friends and foe alike.
In war as it is today, between civilized nations armed to the teeth with
the present deadly rifle and machine gun, heavy casualties are
absolutely unavoidable. For the slightest undue exposure the heaviest
toll is exacted. The power of defense conferred by modern weapons is
the main cause for the long duration of the battles of the present day,

and it is this fact which mainly accounts for such loss and waste of life.
Both one and the other can, however, be shortened and lessened if
attacks can be supported by a most efficient and powerful force of
artillery available; but an almost unlimited supply of ammunition is
necessary, and a most liberal discretionary power as to its use must be
given to artillery commanders. I am confident that this is the only
means by which great results can be obtained with a minimum of loss.

ROBERTS OF KANDAHAR.
SIDNEY LOW, in The London Times.
Through the long years of peril and of strife, He faced Death oft, and
Death forbore to slay, Reserving for its sacrificial Day, The garnered
treasure of his full-crowned life; So saved him till the furrowed soil
was rife, With the rich tillage of our noblest dead; Then reaped the
offering of his honored head, In that red field of harvest, where he died,
With the embattled legions at his side.

The Surrender of Przemysl
How Galicia's Strong Fortress Yielded to the Russian Siege
The Austrian fortress of Przemysl fell on March 22, 1915, after an
investment and siege which lasted, with one short interruption, for
nearly four months. This important event was celebrated by a Te Deum
of thanksgiving in the presence of the Czar and the General Staff. The
importance to the Russians of the capitulation of Przemysl is suggested
by the fact that about 120,000 prisoners were reported taken when the
Austrians yielded. Until this was effected the Russians could not
venture upon a serious invasion of Hungary, and the investing troops
who were then freed were more numerous than the defenders.
[By the Correspondent of The London Times.]
PETROGRAD, March 22.
The Minister of War has informed me that he has just received a
telegram from the Grand Duke Nicholas announcing the fall of
Przemysl.
The fall of Przemysl marks the most important event of the Russian
campaign this year. It finally and irrevocably consolidates the position
of the Russians in Galicia. The Austro-German armies are deprived of

the incentive hitherto held out to them of relieving the isolated remnant
of their former dominion. The besieging army will be freed for other
purposes. From information previously published the garrison
aggregated about 25,000 men, hence the investing forces, which must