Omaha daily bee., 1915-04-25

column of Russian cavalry again has
invaded East Prussia near Mcneil"
says the Daily News Petrograd cor
respondent and is threatening the
Germans left flank"
tCorresT ondence Of the Associated Press)
KOENIGSBERG, East Prussia,
April a. Thousands of persons
homeless, thousands of buildings
burned to the ground and hundreds
of thousands IL not millions OF dol
lars worth OF damage done-such is
the toll of the Russian invasions OF
East Prussia, which eliminated re-
Gently in a raid on the little city Of
Mcneil in the northernmost corner
Of the province.
Hard on the heels Of the most re-
cent invaders, an Associated Press
correspondent recently toured East
Prussla-or that part OF II which at
one time or other had been held by
the Russians--and had an .opportun-
ity 10 see the effects OF their for
ward march, and Of their retreat as
they we're driven back into their own
country.
Land Laid waste.
From the German Russian border,
which Is fifteen miles TO tho northward
OF Memel, TO Bialla which IL far TO the
south. and for miles inward from the
curvinR boundary line there now lies. in
place Of a one time prosperous agricui-
turai section. an almost desolate waste,
punctured here and there with half
ruined communities.
Less than seventy-two hours after the
Russians had wrecked the town OF
Mcneil only 10 leave it-and III OF their
number doad-when German reinforce
ments arrived. the Associated Press corr
respondent reached the isolated commun-
ity to find q a veritable city OF fear. only
partly hardened by the presence OF
strong military forces
Along every rond within miles Of
Memel we're hundreds OF wagons full OF
fugitives hurrying with what they had
been able 10 save from their homes be-
fore the invaders. crushing into the large
centers 81 population 10 the south and
the westward. Their numbers were added
TO tho thousands who earlier had fled
ali over Germany. until the tirne may he
ripe for them 10 so back TO the ruins OF
their homes.
Succession OF Ruina.
Along line OF 10 miles as the crow
flies, aud for distance varying from
five 20 fifty miles. inward from the Rus
sian border there now remains only a
succession OF ruins.
After pa.nstaklne efforts the Gas,
Prussian authorities have been able q
estimate the number OF fugitiyca driver
out az about 10000. the number OF horses
taken a. iCc.ooO. the number OF cutie n
is0ooe The extent Of the property dam
age. hovever. Il Is as yet impossible even
20 guess That II win run into the mil
lions is sltosether likely.
These same authorities appear to havs
proceeded with conservation. wild tales
Of atrocities which can be heard on ever,
hand. have been discounted from first Il
last and IN many cases have been proved
20 be the products OF excited imagination
Careful investigator nevertheless hal
established beyond much doubt accord
ing 20 German statements, that thousand
Of women and chiicrcn have been carries
off TO Russia and that in addition 10 IN,
marauding that IL patent 20 the casna
glance. civilians have been Killed ans
outraged.
people All Hat Fled.
Bleak eastern East Prussia toda,
presents, not the appearance OF Belgium
with n ruined towns. but a succession o.
devastated towns. ali but devoid Of In
habitants. The extent OF the damag.
varies only In desree-from schirwind
the City Of the Dead. 70 Msmel. the citl
OF Fear,
The tour Of East Prussia began a
Insterburg. which has felt the Russian
invasion virtually not at all and extendes
TO Gumbimcn. which Ia ringed about Will
battlefieids. where In the fall the Rus
sian invasion was combatted desperately
The town has suffered but nsgiigibly Il
comparison with those nearer the border
Through q waste OF partly ruined VII
lagos the way led 10 Tilslt. once held b,
the Russians under Grand Duke Nicholas
the Russian ommander-in-chief. Ever
the most bitter snti-Rnssian. however
admits that the troops which first cam,
were soldiers, not marauderu. and be
haved themselves.
Casts shadow Before.
The invasion OF Memei had IN a meas
ure cast lie shadow before until even II
Tilsit the effects were felt. Hundred
OF wagons poured into the city. The oe
cepants had not the slightest idea OF thei
Ultimate destination. They travele,
blindly. actuated by a terrible fear o
the Russians and the one desire TO saw
themselves
Though nominaly a city. Memel
really q large town. with the one mai
street common 90 towns eyerywhere. Tina
street bore the traces OF the Russian IN
weston, for every store window wa
smashed An.
In the place OF the coo lsndsturm tina
formerly had guarded the plaoe-and IN
whole region surrounding it-there wer
thousands OF regular troops. The tw
hotels were full OF officers and the street
swarmed with both soldiers and sailor
for In the hATbor lay cruisers and tor
pedo boats that had been sent hastIl
10 Merael TO lombard the Russians .
they retTeated.
Awake 90 Meaning of War.
whole army corps. however. woui
not have served 10 calm the town CON
pletely. Its Inhabitants had suddenI
been awakened 10 what the war reall
meant It's mayor lay In the hospits
desperately IN from a bayonet Wouns