The loss of the western approaches left General Kusmanek no alternative but to surrender.  He had exhausted his ammunition and used up his effectives.  His messages for help were either intercepted or unanswered.  The assailants broke down the last resistance.  The most important strategical point in the whole of Galicia is now in Russian hands.

TE DEUM AT HEADQUARTERS.

Petrograd, March 22.

The following official communique was issued from the Main Headquarters this morning:

The fortress of Przemysl has surrendered to our troops.

At the Headquarters of the Commander in Chief a Te Deum of thanksgiving was celebrated in the presence of the Czar, the Grand Duke Nicholas, Commander in Chief, and all the staff.

The following communique from the Great Headquarters is issued here today:

Northern Front.—­From the Niemen to the Vistula and on the left bank of the latter river there has been no important change.  Our troops advancing from Tauroggen captured, after a struggle, Laugszargen, (near the frontier of East Prussia,) where they took prisoners and seized an ammunition depot and engineers’ stores.

The Carpathians.—­There has been furious fighting on the roads to Bartfeld (in Hungary) in the valleys of the Ondawa and Laborcz.

Near the Lupkow Pass and on the left bank of the Upper San our troops have advanced successfully, forcing the way with rifle fire and with the bayonet.  In the course of the day we took 2,500 prisoners, including fifty officers and four machine guns.

In the direction of Munkacz the Germans, in close formation, attacked our positions at Rossokhatch, Oravtchik, and Kosziowa, but were everywhere driven back by our fire and by our counter-attacks with severe losses.  In Galicia there has been a snowstorm.

Przemysl.—­On the night of the 21st there was a fierce artillery fire round Przemysl.  Portions of the garrison who once more tried to effect a sortie toward the northeast toward Oikowic were driven back within the circle of forts with heavy losses.

Note.—­This portion of the communique was evidently drafted before the fall of Przemysl took place, and the communique proceeds:

In recognition of the joyous event of the fall of Przemysl the Czar has conferred upon the Grand Duke Nicholas the Second Class of the Order of St. George and the Third Class of the same order on General Ivanoff, the commander of the besieging army.

[Illustration:  Map of the Siege of Przemysl.  The small triangles indicate outlying fortified hills with their height in feet.]

COLLECTING THE ARMS.

By Hamilton Fyfe, Correspondent of The London Daily Mail.

PETROGRAD, March 23.

Advance detachments of Russian troops entered Przemysl last night.  The business of collecting the arms is proceeding.  I believe the officers will be allowed to keep their swords.