The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-02-08
RUIN
IS VERY GREAT
As a Result Of the War in Eu.
rope According to Detail
Estimates lust Made.

"
BERLIN, Feb. S.-Detailed estl-
mates of what east Prussia has sur
fered by the war--with its two inya-
sions. by the Russians--have been
compiled and they surpass even the
guesses that, earlier. were thought TO
be wild and sensational and were dis
counted by east Prussians themselves,
In the briefest form the east Prus-
sian damage and loss is quoted from
the German statistics as follows
Entirely or partly destroyed
twenty-four cities, 500 villages, 800
estates, $4,000 buildings.
Plundered-0n hundred thousand
residences.
Killed or seriously injured-Two
thousand civilians.
Carried off to Russia--Ten thou
sand persons.
Fugitives who have had to leave
home-Three hundred and fifty thou
sand.
Killed or carried off by the Rus
sians-One hundred and thirty-ave
thousand horses, ESQ 900 cattle, 2OO,-
900 hogs, so. 900 sheep, 10000 goats,
500, 900 chickens, $4,000 geese.
The investigators who have COM
piled these statistics make it perfect
" clear that "only portion Of this
damage may be laid directly to the
Russians vandalism" and that apart
of 1t is chargeabe to the inevitable
ravages of war. This Is particularly
true of that portion or east prussia
which was the scene Of the first inva-
sion.
Practically all are agreed that the
Russian forces during the first In
vasion were soldlerly and orderly,
and that most of the acts of violence,
plunderlng, murder and wilful arson
and destruction came in the second
and longer invasion.
The Russians, 1t is said, may on
their first invasion have been conf
dent Of eventual success and may
therefore have desired to spare terri
tory which they ultimately expected
to annex. The new and relatively IN
experienced troops taking part in the
second invasion may have been re-
sponsible. Anger and disappoint-
ment at setbacks may have instilled
q spirit of blind revenge. Or, lastly,
the Russians may have thought 10
instill fear into the German forces
by their depredations and violence,
The total damage caused, both by
legitimate war losses and by deyas-
tations, the statistlcians estimate at
$3.50 100000. They place this as the
lowest figure and believe that even
tually it will have to be revised up
ward. The s1O0,OO0,000 voted by
the Prussian Diet for the relief. OF
the province is melting away fast, and
the work Of rehabilitation has really
only just begun. In addition to this
sum money in large quantities mas
been raised by various communities
throughout Germany for correspond
ing east Prussia districts, which IS
being eaten into rapidly.
Reconstruction work, insofar as
buildings are concerned, can for the
time being, go ahead practically only
in the more westerly portions of the
province. In the parts along the Dor
der line it will probably be necessary
to wait until after the war before be-
ginning a permanent work of this
kind.
The province has been divided into
sixteen districts. presided over by as
many head architects with numerous
assistants, who are striving to attain
the proper combination of taste ana
utility, and are meeting with every
cooperation from the inhabitants.
The latter have won the warm ap-
proyal of the authorities by their
almost universal Willingness to pro-
coed with the agricultural rehabila-
ton of the province, and its restock-
ing with cattle, before they attack
the problem of permanent homes Tor
themselves. They may come later.
To meet the lack of farm animals
with which to carry out this agricul-
rural rehabilitation, oxen were I'M
ported and captured Russian horses
not available for military uses, and
German military horses. unfit for fur
there service, are being used. Par
ticularly are efforts being made 10
restore the thoroughbred horse breed
ing industry to its former high stan
dard.