RUSSIA’S CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1917, Page 3

RUSSIA’S CRISIS.

BALTIC OPERATIONS

TWO GERMAN BOATS SUNK

"AUSTRALIAN N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

A wireless Russian official message says: Two German torpedo boats were sunk in a minefield in Moion Sound yesterday.

RUSSIAN FLEET.

4 IN DANGEROUS CORNER

[LONDON TIMES SERVICE— COPYRIGHT]

LONDON, October 20

The latest news from Riga emphasises the seriousness of the disaster the present position being that apparent nineteen or twenty Russian warships are .bottled in the narrow Moon Sound, one side Af which is under .German occupation.

Thtf Gdrman fleet with numerous auxiliaries, is guarding tho north and south exits. The actual number of warships re fuging in the. sound is unknown. A German communique says that twenty are engaged. The Russians name only three big vessels, but are silent concerning what has happened to tho remainder of the defending fleet, rt is certain that the powerful Baltic, fleet based at Kronstadt had not. participated, and may possibly now seek to go to the rescue of the isolated squadron, whose dangerous position is accent uatod by eho dangers of Moon Island, the partial destruction -of the forts, and the narrowness £six hv ten miles) of the Sound, enables them to land troops on the mainland from Oesel in boats under cover of long-range naval guns, outranging tho remaining land batteries. The Government’s decision to evacuate Potrograd is the natural outcome of recent events, and is largely political, as there is no immediate danger of its occupation by the enemy troops. A RUSSIAN ACCOUNT. (Router’s Telegram.) PETROGRAD, Oct, 19. The Minister of Murine, M. Verdervsliy, has joined the Baltic Fleet. He states that each of the Koenig type of dreadnought in the recent battle was more powerful than the whole Russian squadron. He declares that the Russians sank the Slava when it was discovered that she was too damaged to join the remainder of the retiring warships with the object of being a block in the channel against the enemy. The chief of the Naval General Staff seated that submarines were unable to prevent the German disembarkation at Oesel in consequence of a heavy swell. RUSSIANS WITHDRAW. rAUSTRALIAN cC N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] ,» REUTER.]

LONDON, October 20

Russian official—-Under the pressure of superior naval forces, we abandoned Moon Island. Our trawlers discovered that enemy mine fields were sown with the intention of closing the entrance to Riga Gulf from Moon Sound. These operations, in conjunction with the landing of a detachment at Dago island, show the enemy’s desire to destroy the naval forces defending this region. SHIFTING THE CAPITAL. RKVAL EVACUATED. fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABT/E ASSOCIATION] PETROGRAD, Oet. 19. In view of the new strategic situation bringing Petrogrnd into the war zone, tlie Government is taking measures for the evacuation of Potrograd. The Government will go to^jVloscow.

A special ministerial commission lias been constituted to consider the evacuation.

The constituent Assembly will also meet in Moscow. The evacuation by the Government- will not be precipitate. A preliminary Parliament will hold its first meeting in Petrograd, when the Government explains its reason to transfer to Mosocw. The railway service is precarious owing to lack of fuel, and a further reduction of trains is foreshadowed. The ‘‘Novoe Vreyma” states that the evacuation of Reval hegan on the sixteenth, owing to the clangor of the enomy landing. Most of the inhabitants have gone to the interior. martial law. PETROGRAD, Oct. 19. Martial law has been proclaimed in Kutia, in the Caucasus after the mob had sacked the central quarters of the "t-own. COSSACK DEMAND. / PETROGRAD, Oct. 19. A conference representing all the Cossack treops, demanded public. investigation of the Korniloff revolt, be lieving that individuals or organisations ambitious for securing power, instigated the revolt, v, ROBBERY AND MURDERS.

ODESSA, Oct. 19

Criminal outbreaks are increasing in South Russia. Armed bands of •etchers and civilians are engaging in r aberv* and murders. In the Canoanis two hundred brigands removed the rails, wrecked a train and massacred the passengers.