RUSSIAN NAVY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9793, 17 October 1917, Page 5

RUSSIAN NAVY

IMPROVEMENT IN MORAL EXPECTED TO FIGHT WELL. By Teicprnpll—Press Association— ropyrif;bl Published in “The Times." (Received October to, 11.15 p.m-) LONDON. October 16. “The Times” correspondent at Pctrograd writes; — "There are signs of improvement in tihe moral of the Russian navy. The Bolshevik influence is losing ground. It may fight well. I iio Baltic Na\y is recovering quicker than the aimjAt the outbreak of the present, revolution Bolsheviks started a mutiny in the smaller warships at Helsingfors, invoking vengeance tor the punishments awarded in 1903. The I loot was frozen in tho ico. The bad a iroo field. Admirals \ iron, Nopium, I so ' bolsin and other oUlcers were slaughtered like cattle, burned at the stake, dropped alive into holes iu the ice, and the indignities and brutality offered towards widows and orphans searching for the remains of loved ones was the handiwork ot Potrograd agitators, abetted by German spice. The. subsequent recovery permitted the repuiso of the German Fleet of the Irben Channel.” aULF OF' RIGA m ISLANDS BELIEVED TO BE LOST. Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received October 17, 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, October 16. Informed circles in Petrograd regard che Osel and Dago Islands and the Gulf of Riga as lost. Nevertheless, the value of Riga to tho enemy is small until the Tercston fairway to the Gulf is cleared,' which is impracticable so long as tho forts on the western peninsula and Osal hold. out... The Russians destroyed the fairway two years ago by sinking interned German craft laden with stone and cement. The preparations for tho landing, which was undertaken by cwo_ divisions, wero made wtih the- minutest care, and included a clever piece of trickery. Enemy light craft succeeded in altering the position of tho buoys marking tne minefields between the islands and the mainland, causing a number of Russian scouts to run ashoro. A warning that the enemy was landing could not therefore bo given. CAPTURForARENSBURG RUSSIAN NAVAL FORCE STOP ENEMY ADVANCE. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn, and Reuter. LONDON, October 15. A Russian official report states:— The enemy occupied Aronsburg, on the south-east coast of Olsol Island, on ] Saturday with their aerial and naval forces supporting tho laud operations. Squadrons of enemy cruisers and torpedo boats attempted to force an entrance into the Irhen Channel. Our long-range guns on Oscl Island cover further movements into the Gulf of Riga. The enemy’s torpedo boats between Osel and Dago Islands pressed back our patrol boats in tno direction of Moeh.in Sound, hut our naval forces were reinforced, and compelled the enemy to retire. THE GULF~~OF~B~OTHNIA ENEMY ADIS AT LANDING IN FINLAND. Reuter’s Telegrams. STOCKHOLM, October 15. The Germans are expected to attempt to seize the Aland Islands (at the mouth of the Gulf of Bothnia), and to effect a landing in Finland before tho harbours arc blocked with ice, with tho view of attacking Helsingfors. GERMAN QFFICUL REPORT ALLEGED RETREAT OF RUSSIANS. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn, and Reuter LONDON, October 15. A Gorman official report states; —We have made rapid progress in Osel Island, in the Gulf of Riga, and have cut off the Sworbe Peninsula (the southern tongue of the island) from tho north. Our ships silenced the land batteries. We are now advancing towards the cast coast, and the Russians are retreating in order tc escape over the mole which connects Oscl Island with Moon (or Mochin) Island. DISTINGUISHING BADGES FOR SERVICES IN OVERSEA WAR THEATRES. ay T^le^rapb—Pres? Association—CopyrtJfQT Ana. and N.Z. Cable Asen. and Beutef. (Received October 16, 8 p.m.) LONDON, October id. The Press Bureau announces that the War Office is arranging for the issue of a rod chevron for officers and soldiers who entered tho theatre ot war iu 1914, and a blue chevron for those who entered subsequently, with an additional blue chevron for each year of service. This ensures a special distinctive mark for those who have served in overseas war theatres. WOOL INTENDED FOR GERMANY STOPPED BY BRITISH AUTHORITIES. By Telegraph—Prosa Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z Cnhle Association. (Received October 18, 8 p.m.) LONDON, October 10. The Prize Court condemned at destined for Germany valuable parcels of wool consigned from Buenos Ayres to the Swedish Army Administration in Swedish ships. Britain line altogether seized £1680,000 worth of wool.