Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-26
GERMAN ATTACK ON
PERNAU REPULSED
Russian Official Describes Attempt
Of Kaiser's Fleet to Land Troops
at Port on Gulf Of Riga.
DRIVEN OFF BY SHORE FIRE

PETROGAD, Aug. 25.-(Via Lon
don. "A vivid story OF the German
effort to land troops In Pernau. In
the northeast corner OF the Gulf OF
Riga, Ii told by Russian officer
from Pernau, who has reached here.
eat 6 o'clock on the evening OF
the / 9th. while the elite OF the $4,000
people OF the city were assembled in
the naval park listening to band
concert" the official relates. "a
policeman ordered them to dispense.
e was then noticed that German
ship was off shore. far away toward
the horizon. Il remained for some
time. making observations. II APP
peared later that the Russians had
signalled the ship to halt. not know
ing it's nationality. and that signals
questioning tho vessel as to this
point remained unanswered.
THE people OF the city did not be-
come alarmed unsn sannonading was
heard at zaesmorgor, and more ships
became visible Three OF them seemed
I to bo light cruisers and four were large
transports,
"Soon the batteries on shore opened fire
on the German squadron. The German
ships replied and the continuous roar
OF the guns on both sides coaleseed into
a mighty chaos OF sound.
1.-THE German ships were three miles
away. being unable to approach nearer
on account OF the shallow water Their
fire was Inaccurate. Nobody In Pernau
was killed, but q few persons In oretols
lost their lives. The railway lines were
slightly damaged. bat were quickly re-
paired.
The Germans fired uninterruptediy
from II o'clock In the evening tin 8 tho
next morning.
why oaowets Wan Evaeaated.
In accordance with orders the garrison
OF ossowetE Joined the Russian field
army en- August e. eyacuating the fort
ress after blowing up the permanent
Qualifications. burning the wooden struc-
lures and removing OF Gripping the guns,
thus ending a year OF gallant defonss
OF the principal crossing Of the Bohr
river.
War offieo officials In commenting on
the surrender Of the foFtness pointed oHi
that Il was especially adapted for de
fense, because Of the marshes that sur
rounded II. but that this fact would be
one working 10 It's disadvantage when the
fortress was cut off from the army, the
marshy ground being unsuitable for
mansuvers and sorties. After the Abah-
doRment of the line Of the Bebr osso#etI
ceased 10 have Importance n the view
a. the army officials. and It was regarded
as the part OF wisdom to withdraw from
It.
Bialystek Is said 10 be stin In Russian
hands. but a large part OF the raiiwa,
from the north and west is now In tn,
= hahds OF the Germans and It Is expected
. that they will make every effort TO ex
. tend their Ines toward Grodno. the mex
= fortress Of Importance In this region.
Bastte DeveIopInE Near KOveI.
. Meanwhile the Austro- Germans con
tinue 10 press upon the TANKS OF tn
4 fortress OF Brest-IAtoysk from the mort
. ana south. ana serious battles are de
r velOp.ng In the vicinity OF PischOa an
5 kovel
2 The Russian extreme southern flan
: s. Inactive, bur IN the far north. on IN
, other Snd OF the line, there we're mino
o battles on August q In the direction o
a Jaoohstadt Rnd DvEnsk with altsrnAtin
y successes
The reception by the emperor OF Miohs'
a Nladimlr0vitch RodEianko. president {
> the Duma and repeated sessions OF IN
council OF minister's, have elected livel
discussions In the corridors OF the Dunn
regarding the possibility Of the forrnatio
CT ministry Of national defense. inclu,
N ing representatives of several parties
y. the Duma