RUSSIA.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 6 September 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

THE FALL OF RIGA, STARTLED RUSSIAN PUBLIC. WOMEN DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES. Received 11.30. PETRORAD, Sept. 5 The fall of Riga has startled the public. Kerensky said the enemy had gathered an immense quantity of heavy artillery, and bombarded the south-east-ern side. The situation is.grave owing to the superiority of the enemy artillery. It is semi-officially stated that the catastrophe at Riga was not wholly unexpected, and measures for the evacuation of the Littoral of th e Gulf before the Dvina was crossed and taken. The last train of wounded left Riga under heavy German artillery fire. The Russians withdrawing from Riga held up the enemy’s pressure. The first battalion of the women’s “Battalion of Death,” distinguished itself, entering the melee at a critical moment and throwing back the pursuing enemy two miles, despite their losses. Thdir example inspired the other units. Voltlnsky, commissioner to the commander on the northern front, reports the German preponderance of forces, artillery, and use of asphyxiating shells caused enormous losses. Energetic counter-attacks with the bayonet occasionally threw many back to the river, the soldiers retiring seven miles, carried their wounded comrades to safety. The Russian lines will be shortened, and the new front will be from Frederickstadt to the Gulf half way between Riga and Vendin. Savinkolf states the army is retiring in splendid order with a pre-arranged plan.

THE RUSSIAN RETREAT. GERMANS SHELLING RIGA COAST. LONDON, Sept 5 A wireless Russian official report states: “We*evacuated Riga after blowing up fortifications at the mouth of the Dvina, and bridges. Our retirement continues north-east-wards. Enemy ships are now shelling the Riga coast villages, in the direction of Intskul. The enemy dislodged our troops in the Great Jaeand penetrated- positions on a thirteen-verst front. They occupied Valnendone. We are retiring northwards. Measures have been taken to readjust our front. Troops failing to withstand enemy pressure in the region of Mildep, Rybnak and Krangen, we retired north-eastwards.” PETROGRAD’S CHANCES. GERMANS START TOO LATE. LONDON, September 4. Shumsky, the war expert of the Bourse Gazette, interviewed in London? said the German rush for Riga cannot seriously menace Petrograd this year. An offensive on four hundred versts would require at leasfe two months. The Germans have started too late, for within tw,o or three weeks fEey will meet the rainy season and bad roads. Moreover, the well-fortified lake system in the Pskof region protects Petrograd. The Anglo-French attacks have drawn 160 German divisions west, ward. Insufficient hdve been left on the Russian front to defeat even the disorganised Russian army, which is supported by excellent artillery and an enormous quantity of ammunition. FUTILE RESISTANCE BY LOYAL RUSSIANS. PETROGRAD, Sept 5. The German offensive at Riga began with a bombardment with asphyxiating shells and gas waves. Then the enemy threw pontoons across the Dvina. Some were destroyed by the Russian batteries but ultimately the Germans followed. Loyal Russians counter-attacked, but on German reinforcement arriving the Russians withdrew northward. The German artillery seriously damaged the town. The attack was not accompanied by naval operations.

EXTREMISTS STILL HOLD SWAY LONDON, Sept 5. The “Daily Telegraph’s” PelVograd correspondent says that the Council of Workmen’s and Soldiers’ delegates adhered to the abolition of the death pnalty, which indicates that the international element still outweighs the patriotic element. GOURKO TO BE DEPORTED. It is reported that the Russian Gov eminent has decided to banish General Gourko.