Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-03-20
RUSSIANS RAID
EAST PRUSSIA
Cars Army Makes New Dash Along
Baltic Sea and Captures City
of Nemel.
GERMANS ADVANCE IN POLAND


PETROGRAD, March 19.-(via
London THE campaign in the east
has assumed a new aspect with the
penetration of the northernmost
point of east Prussia by Russian
forces. This invasion in the north in
many ways parallels the advance into
east Prussia of two months ago, when
the Russian Tenth army, which 1t
was thought might flank the German
positions near the Mazurian lakes,
was defeated and driven, out. On
this occasion, however. Russian mill
tary authorities say unanimously that
the invasion does not possess like
strategic significance. The Russian
force has penetrated east Prussia to
within twelve miles of the important
seaport of Memel.
CTne official report from Berlin today,
evidently based on later information. says
that the Russians have entered Memel)
German Attack shifts.
OF equal importance is the general shift
ing Of directions Of the German attack
in Poland. accompanied by new concern
tration Of forces which has now become
apparent Although fighting is still in
progress TO the north Of Przasnysz the
Germans apparently have abandoned their
effort to break through the fortified line
In the north and approach Warsaw from
that direction. They are transferring
troops to the southern bank Of the Vis-
tula, presumably in preparation for a
resumption of the attack along the front
t. the west of Warsaw, near the Bzura
river, where for two months they valnly
hammered the strong line of Russian de-
lenses which separates them from the
Polish capital. Heavy and continued ar
t.llery fire Is now under way, marking
the beginning of this fresh German move
ment.
Turkish Port Captured.
OCCUPATION by the Russians of Ar
chawa. a Turkish port on the Black Sea
near the Russian border through which
the Turks have been receiving supplies
and endorsements. has caused an i'm
portant movement in the Caucasian cam
paign The Russian victory, together
with the continual pounding in the valley
Of the Tcorok river. has caused the Turks
&c beat a disorderly retreat toward Free
rum, according to Geographic reports
from the Caucasus. The road between
Archawa and Choppo to the eastward
was defended strongly and the Turks
were defeated only after a series of
stubborn battles. The Russian advance
created q panic throughout the Tchoruk
valley and the inhabitants fled to the
mountains, abandoning their villages.
Partial Victory I'm Armenia.
In recent fighting in Russian Armenia
partial victory over the Turks is claimed
here, although mountain heights in the
district OF Ardanuch are strongly fortified
and are still holding out. The Russians
are bombarding Turkish positions at
Ardanuch. The Notifications were built
and the defense Is being conducted, 1t is
reported, by a German officer.
A telegram from Urumiah. Northwest
ers Persia, says that prior to the evacua-
ton OF towns between Julia and Tabrlz,
the Turks and Kurds who were retreating
before the Russian advance, pillaged and
burned the villages and put to death
some OF the inhabitants At Safmaz Pag-
Naduk and Sarna orders are said to have
been given by the Turkish commissioner
for the destruction OF the towns. All
the Armenian inhabitants of Antvat were
collected and, according to this message
600 males were put to death and the
women, after being compelled to embrace
the Mohammedan faith, were driven
into parties and sent to various interior
towns.