SERIOUS SET-BACK FOR THE RUSSIANS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 17, 15 October 1917, Page 5

SERIOUS SET-BACK FOR THE RUSSIANS

ENEMY CARRIES OUT A LANDING COUP ? READJUSTMENT OF THE LINE NECESSARY (Rec. October 34, 5.5 p.m.) , . . . London, October i:i. A Russian official communique stales: "The enemy lias landed one or two divisions on the islands of Oesel and Dago, in the Gulf of liiga. Tho debarkation was carried out with extraordinary rapidity. The enemy had been preparing for this operation for a long time, and tlio weakness of tho patrol service favoured the movement. The capture of theso islands will deprive us of our hitherto predominant positions in the Gulf of Riga, and indicates fresh operations by the enemy, probably in the direction of Hapsal. These events may have a repercussion on the situation in the Segewold region, where a change of front will be' necessary, bringing it nearer the Wenden Walk line. Tho Government has decided to put aside its political and domestic affairs, and concentrate with all its strength on tho defence of the country."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.Reuter. (Rec. October 14, 11 p.m.) i London, October 14. A Russian official communique states: —"Our coast batteries were silenccd by the powerful firing of tho Dreadnoughts. The enemy movements are rendorcd difficult by tho moles wa have constructed, and the bad visibility of light. Tho garrison on the island Oesel engaged the enemy."—Aue.-N-.Z. Cable Assn.-Renter. FIGHTING ON THE RIGA FRONT ' London, October 12. . A Russian official report states: "We counter-attacked and restored the position south of the Pskoff high-road. The enemy's artillery forced back our advanced posts north of the Toad. Tho enemy took several trenches in the Buczacz region (Galicia), tat a counter-attack recaptured them."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. ' ■ . ' GERMAN OFFICIAL REPODT. . (Rec. October 14, 11 p.m.) A German official report states:—"ln a combined action between the Army and Navy we obtained a footing at the island Oesel."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu.-Router. AN AIR ■ ATTACK IN THE GULF (ltec. October 14, 11 p.m.) Amsterdam, Octobor 14. An official messago from Barlin states that naval airships and hydroplanes repeatedly attacked the Russian military establishments m tho Gulf of Riga, ami cropped one thousand bombs.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RUSSIA'S NEW WAR EFFORT ARMY REORGANISED AND REJUVENATED. New York, October 12. ' The New Work "World's" Petrograd correspondent has had an interview with General Verkhovsky. The new War Minister said: "By spring you will see the new Russian Army based upon the principles of the initiative. We are travelling right round. We must succeed; we must triumph, or our soul will die. The basic idea of the reorganisation of the Army was, ho said, to gain the confidence of the rank and file, to oust the old commanders and their methods, and to make profitable us© of the Soldiers' Councils—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, ON THE ASIATIC FRONT.. London, October 14. A Russian official report states: "We drove the Turks from a height south of Urmia."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reu tor. I FAMINE RIOTS IN THE INTERIOR (Rec. October 15, 0.30 a.m.) Petrograd, October 14. Bands of criminals and deserters began to pillage Klnirkoff o.n October 10. Martial jaw was proclaimed in the evening after fighting had lasted all day. Similar disorders provoked by scarcity ot food have occurred in various towns in tho provinces of Besßaitua, Podolia, Ivli erson, and Astrakhan. They were speedily suppressed.—Reuter.