Petrograd, Feb. 21.
The Germans, concluding, after a series of fierce attacks costing them incalculable losses, that it was possible to break through our positions on the left bank of the Vistula, executed a new plan by forming several new Army Corps and transporting further troops from the west, and, utilizing their network of railways, they threw great forces into East Prussia against the Russian 10th Army Corps which occupied the fortified positions along the Angerap and the Mazurian Lakes.
The Germans also transported 9 part of their fo-ces to the right bank of the Vistula from the Brura-Raya front.
This gathering of German troops began on the 4th, but its extent was only ascertained a few days later.
It was impossible for the Russians to gather the necessary forces in East Prussia ae quickly as they were needed, and the authorities therefore decided to withdraw the 10th Army Corps beyond the frontier to the' rivers Niemen and Bobr.
During the withdrawal our right wing waa pressed by very heavy forces and being in danger of being outflanked on the right had to withdraw hurriedly in the direction of Kovno. This uncovered the flank of the next Army Corps which was placed in a difficult position out of which only separate portions managed to free themselves.
The remaining Corps of the 10th Army carried on uninterrupted engagements while slowly withdrawing in the directions assigned them, valiantly repelling the advancing enemy, inflicting severe lowes on them and surmounting incredible difficulties caused by the deep snow, which blocked up the roads so that motor cars were unable to move and caused trains to arrive late while some did not arrive at all.
The Army Corps composing our left flank held back the enemy for nine days until, on the 19th, they occupied positions prepared beforehand, when the action broke off.
At present the action on the German front continues to develop towards the Ossover roads, from Lom-za towards Edvabno, northward of Kadrzidlo, and between Plotzk and Plonsk. At several points the fighting is of the fiercest description. Austrian contingents have been seen among the German armies.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.