The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-22
THE RUSSIAN WAR OFFICE
Gives Version OF ROUTI IN
EASTPRUSSIABY Germans

Petrograd, Feb. 22.-Explanation of
the Russian retirement from East Prus-
sia is contained in communication
given out last night by the general
staff. Successes of the German coup is
attributed largely to the lack of
strategic railways which prevented the
Russians from concentrating with
necessary rapiiity on our East Prus-
sian front forces Indispensable to ward
off this drive of the enemy
The general staff asserts that the
massing of German troops in East
Prussia was revealed TO the Russians
on February but that the magnitude
of the concentration did not become
known until several days later Because
of three conditions, il is stated, with
drawal of the Tenth Russian army from
East Prussia towards the frontier was
decided upon. This was followed later
by further retirement towards the
Niemen and the Bobr rivers. The COM
munieation follows:
1.-THE Germans, after a series of ex-
ceptionally obstinate and tenacious at
tacks which cost them innumerable vic
tins, became persuaded of the impos
sibility of dislodging us from the left
bank of the Nistula and proceeded at
the end of January to put a new plan
into operation.
"Having finished the formation in
the interior of their country of several
new corps ami deciding to continue the
transportation of troops from their west
front in order to make supreme effort
against us, profiting by their net work
of railroads, the Germans were enabled
to launch an overwhelming force
against our Tenth Army, which occu-
pied strongly organized positions along
the Angerapp river and the Mazurian
lakes.
ITO assure the success of this coup
the Germans transported also part of
their contingents from the fronts on
the Rawka, the Bzura and the right
bank of the Vistula. This gathering
of Germans in East Prussia was re-
vealed TO us on February 4, but the
magnitude of the concentrations was
not determined until several DAYS later.
Not being able, through lack of
railroad facilities, TO concentrate on
our East Prussian front with the neces-
sary rapldity forces indispensable to
ward off this drive of the enemy, our
chiefs decided to withdraw the above
mentioned army from East Prussia to-
wards the frontier and further retire
ment towards the Niemen and the Bobr
has followed.
''In these movements the right wing
of the Tenth army, pressed by great
numbers of the enemy and threatened
with being surrounded on the right
flank, was compelled to make very
+tru -, Ia,
tion of Kovno.
This maneuver exposed the flank
of the corps following which, owing to
this fact found itself in an extremely
dangerous position and only broken
and disorganized positions succeeded in
escaping from this district.
''Other corps of the Tenth army.
fighting continuously and stubbornly,
slowly retreated in the direction mark
ed out for them by their commanders.
On taking up these positions the Rus
sian troops bravely repulsed the at
tacking enemy, inflieting upon him sew
eral losses and overcoming incredible
difficulties caused by the deep snow
which covered all the roads. The roads
being impossible automobiles were not
able to run and trains were DELAYED.
frequently not reaching their destina-
tions
Retreating slowly step by step one
corps forming the left wing of the
Tenth army held the enemy for nine
days on lines which ordinarily are
traversed in four days.
son February 19 these corps fell
back through Augustow, retired from
the battle at Sphoc and assumed the
fortified positions indicated for them.
AT the present moment actions ON
the German front continue before Os-
sowetz, upon the roads from Lomza to
Edvabno and north to Kadizidly on the
road between Plotsk and Plonsk. In
some places the fighting is very stub
born.
Son the right of the Vistula, on the
roads from Plotsk, Austrian detach-
ments have been replied by German
troops"