THE NEW CRISIS AT RIGA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 16, 14 October 1919, Page 5

THE NEW CRISIS AT RIGA

GERMANY UNDER SUSPICION CONFLICTING NEWS NORTHERN. ATTACK ON PETROGRAD By Taleffraph— Press Association—Oopyrtffkl London, October 12. Although the latest messages from Riga, dated October 10, indicated that Ithft Letts were holding thoir own at the gates of tho city, later telegrams from Amsterdam and Helsingfors report that the llussinns and Germans had captured Riga, under the personal leadership of von der Gpltz. Tho British Foreign Office is unable to confirm the reports; but it states that tho latest telegrams show- that the Lettish Government had made preparations to evacuate Riga and take up a position to the north if necessary. Tho British Mission was still in the city on October 10. and Sr. Ulmanis, tho Lettish Premier, was also there; but the streets woro deserted and the shops closed.— Au6.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ALLIED NOTE TO GERMAN GOVERNMENT SUSPICION OF BAD FAITH Paris, October 11. An Allied Note, replying to tho German Government's contention that the measures taken to recall the German troops absolvo it from blame for the Baltic situation, points out that the orders for the withdrawal were so long deferred, notwithstanding tho Allies' repeated remonstrances, that it is difficult not lo believe that tho delay was not deliberately arranged so as to" render it impossible that the orders could be carried out. Thi- Allies hold tho German Government entirely ' responsible. It must carry out the evacuation; and they would mainlnin the coercive measures previously announced until the evacuation was carried, out. The Allies will send a military mission to advise and as- x 6ist the German Government in its measures for tho evaouation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE EVACUATION" ULTIMATUM VON DER GOT,TZ INFORMS HIS TROOPS. . • (Rec. October 13, 7.50 p.m.) BerHn, October 13. Von dor Goltz has informed all his troops of tho Allied ultimatum requiring tho evacuation of the Baltic provinces.— Aua.-N.Z, Cablo Assn. AN UNDERTAKING TO /• EVACUATE. [Rec. October j3, 9.35 p.m.) Paris, October 13. "Lo Temps's" Berlin correspondent states that von der Goltz has undertaken that his troops shall evacuate tho Baltic States, including the detachment nt Bischof which joined the army, which is attacking Riga—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Router. MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT COUN-TER-MEASURES! ' London, October 12. British official circles point out that thero is a misunderstanding regarding counter-measured. ■ There has been no decision of the Supreme Council to rcirnpose tho blockade; but it may be necessarv to refuse consideration of Germany's request to. supply tho foodstuffs and raw material which are now the subject of negotiations.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NO EVIDENCE OF CONNIVANCE. London, October 12. ' Tho British authorities state that there is no evidence that the German Government connived in the aggression. On tho contrary, it was genuinely alarmeo' at tho turn of events, particularly in view of tho possibility of von der Goltz's troops joining in the movement in favour of i restoration of the monarchy or in the' ranks of the Spartacisis— Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN BONA FIDES ACCEPTED BY "TIMES" CORRESPONDENT. London, October 11. The Amsterdam correspondent of "The Times" declares that it would be foolish to ouestion the German Government's complicity in tho Riga raid.—"The Times." BERMONDT EXPLAINS MOTIVE OF THE ADVANCE. Berlin, October 11. . General Bermondt handed a Note to the Entente representatives nt Mitau on October 8. ] t says that as head of the Russian Army in tho Western Provinces he had concluded an agreement with the commanders of tho German troops occupying the country, guaranteeing the gradual withdrawal of thoir troops to Germany; but tho Lett' and Esthonian troops violated the neutral zone and attacked his troops which were replacing tho German posts. He was therefore compelled to occupy a new. line which would facilitate an advance against the Bolsheviks. Ho hopes the Allied Powers will support, him in accordance with the treaties concluded with his country, Bermondt also sent a Note to tho German Government expressing Russia's thanks for tho unforgettable services the German troops had rendered in savins; the Russian border provinces from Bolshevism,—Renter. NO DESIRE TO CROSS THE DVINA. ■ London, October 11. The Constantinople correspondent of "Tho Times" reports that Bermondt has announced that ho does not intend to cross the Dvina, having attained his provisional objective ■ by occupying tho bridges and throwing back the Letts bu.vond the rijrht bank, in order to secure a base against the Bolsheviki.—"Tho Times." MANY LETTS JOIN BERMONDT. London, October 12. Router's correspondent at Mitau states that many Lettish' troops have joined Bermondt. A telegram from Konigsberg states that strong Esthonia columns aro. marching upon Riga.—Renter. THE FIGHTING AT RIGA' ATTACKS AND COUNTER-ATTACKS. London, October 12. The Riga correspondent of tho "SunExpress" says the Gorman attacks a\ Jirga opened on Thursday, and penetrated to the suburbs. Tho Letts, by a counter-attack, drove them out. The Germans crossed the Dvina on Friday, a,sain reaching the suburbs, but tho stubborn defenco by the Letts prevented their entering the city. / The Helsingfors correspondent of tnc '"Express" states that von der Goltz i.v in command of 120,000 Germans, disguised ns Russians, and also of 7,1.000 Russians. Ho attacked Riga after the Letts' refusal of a free passage to enable him to relieve Petrogrfid— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A FLANK ATTACK BY THE LETTS. Copenhagen, October 12. Berlin messages state that British warships from Riga have landed at Libau 50.000 Letts for a flank attack on the Germans, under General Bermondt. Bermondt, after the capture of the suburbs of Riga, offered peace, provided the Letlonian Government guaranteed a fiee passaue for the ("icnnuns to l'etrograd.— Aih.-N.Z.x Cable Assn.

HOW BERMONDT WAS FOILED. (Rec. Octobor 11, 1.15 a.i 11.) London, October 13. A telegram from Riga states that Berimondt ajinounced his intention to enter

I\Vga ot midnight on Thursday. His plan whs upset by the sturdy resistance of bare-footed Letts, who succeeded in lilling the breached ill their line of resistance.— Renter. . A REPORT FROM KTIIOXIA. Stockholm, October 11. An Esthonian communiquo reports that tho Lettish Gove-nmcnt has left Riga and gone to Radenpok The Lettish troops retired across tho Dvina. They blew up bridges, taking up positions at bridgeheads. Artillery ami machine-gun tiro is proceeding between the Letts and tho Germans. The latter arc bombarding Riga, by artillery and aeroplane,— Router. (Rec. October 13, 9.35 p.m.) Stockholm, October 12. An Esthonian communique states: "Wo lmve captured Yurbino and I.utsfci, A detachment of Russians captured Yamburg."—Renter. LATEST REPORTS ON THE SITUATION (Rec. October 13, 9.35 p.m.) Helsingfors, October I'-'. Renter's correspondent rcporfi that the situation at Riga has not changed since Friday evening. The town is considerably damaged by bombardment, and parts are in ruins. The enemy's attempt to cross tho bridge was reputed. There ivere many civilian casualties as Iho result of an attack by hostile aircraft. Bcrmondt's forces are advancing on a broad front between the Dvina and the Gulf.—Reute,r. STORMY SCENES IN GERMAN ASSEMBLY PLAN TO RESTORE THE MONARCHY ADMITTED. Berlin, October 11. There were stormy scenes in tho National Assembly when Herr Honcke condemned the suppression of the Independent, Socialist newspapers, and made startling allegations that students' societies, societies of ex-soldiers, riflo clubs, gymnastics societies, and farmers, were receiving arms in large numbers, which was a violation of the Peacc Treaty. Thero were indignant shouts of "You're hounding the Entente soldiery against Germany." but Henckc retorted that he was speaking the truth. The Nationalist deputy Herr Heintz admitted that his party was striving to wtablish the monarchy. The Minister of tho Interior, Herr. David, reminded the House that the Monarchy had plunged Germany into the- deepest misery.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable,'Assn. - NEW OFFENSIVE "FROM NORTH RUSSIA AIMED AT PETROGRAD. Helsingfors, October 12. The North-West Russians, under General Glazeneff. have begun a new offensivo on the Luga River, supported by tanks. After a clever feint, they recaptured Ynmburg, with four Bolshevik regiments. Other Bolshevik losses during a few days include two thousand men and tho entire staff of the lOtli Division. Goneral Vladimirov, one of the chief organisers of the offensive, states that nothing will stop the advance to victory. He expects l'etrograd' to be captured in three weeks.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. October 13, 9.35 p.m.) / London, October 12. A North Russian communique states: Tanks enabled our troops to cross tho Luga River in tlio vicinity of Yamburg." —Reuter. LENIN IN PRISON. Helsingfors, October 12. Lenin is imprisoned in n small town near Moscow. ' His colleagues arrested him owing to his mental depression and his threats that he would leave Russia.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.