Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-11
EAST PRUSS|AN
CASUALTIES IN
WAR ARE HEAVY
Two Russian InyaSionS of Ter
ritory Accompanied by Sc
we're Loss inLiveS and Prop
erty Cities Swept Away

NfNNH'ihltu AIeNH correspondence
Berlin, Jan. IS Detailed estimates
of what East Prussia has suffered by
tho war-with its two invasions by
the Kussians-have been compiled.
and they surpass even the guesses
that earlier, were thought to be wild
and sensational and were discounted
even BY the East Prussans them
selves.
In the hriefest form, The East Prus-
sian damage and loss is quoted from
the German statistics as follows:
Entirely or partly destroyed, twen-
ty-four cities. 500 villages. 300 es-
tates. $1,000 buildings pMndered.
100, 600 residences. killed or serious
~ injured. 1000 civilians. carried off
to Russia. 1000 persons; fueitives
who had to leave home, 400 600. kill
ed or carried off by Russians, $4,000
horses. 100000 cattle zoo 900 hogs.
40 600 sheep. 10000 goats, 100000
chickens 5000 geese
The investigators who nave COM
piled these statistics make il perfect
~ clear that only portion of this
damage may be laid directly to the
Russians vandalism" ANA that part
of it is chargeahle 10 the inevitabl
ravages Of war This is particularly
true of that portion OF East Prus-
STA which was the scene Of the first
invasion
Practically all are agreed that the
Russian forces during the first in
vasion were soldierly and orderly
and that most of the acts of violence,
plundering, murder and wllful ar
son and destruction came in the sec
ond and longer INVASION
The Russians, it is said, may on
their first invasion have been conf
dent Of eventual success and may
therefore have desired TO spare ter
ritory which they ultimately expected
70 annex. The new and relatively in
experienced troops taking part in the
second invasion may have been re-
sponshle Anger and disappointment
at setbacks may have instilled a spir-
il OF blind revenge. or. lastly, the
Russians may have thought TO instill
fear into the German forces by their
depredations and violence
The total damage caused. both by
legitimate war losses AMI by devas-
tati0n, the statisticians estimate at
S375.000. goo. They place this as the
lowest figure and believe that event
uallv II viii have to be revised up
ward The 500. 600. 600 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 has
been raised by various communities
throughout Germany for corresponds
ing East Prussian districts which is
heing eaten into rapidly.
Reconstruction work Insofar as
buildings are concerned. can for the
time being so ahead practically only
in the more westerly p, rtions of the
province. I'm the parts along the
border line IL viii probably be neces-
sary 20 wait until after the war be
fore beginning permanent work at
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 and
utility and are meeting with every
cooperation from the Inhabitants.
The latter have Won the warm ap-
prevail ot the authorities by their al
most universal willingness 20 proceed
with the agricultural rehabilitation of
the province and its restocking With
cattle. before they attack The pro-
blcm 81 permanent homes for them
selves They may come later.
To meet the lack of farm animals
with which to carry cut this aericui-
Wral rehabilitation. oxen have been
Imported and captured Russian
hRr4444 a Mo