PETROGRAD'S FATE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 250, 21 October 1919, Page 5

PETROGRAD'S FATE.

CAPTURE NOT CONFIRMED. YTTDENITCH NEAR CITY. PREPARATIONS TOR SIEGE. <By Cable. —Press Association.—Copyright.) I Received 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, October 20. According to the latest advices received by the War Office. General Yudenitch has occupied Gatchina and Krasnoe Selo, south-west of Petrograd, where he practically destroyed the Baskir division which was rushed up from the interior. Yudenitch'B cavalry cut the railways from Petrograd to Vitebsk, Moscow, and Vologda. The white flag was hoisted from the fort at Kronstadt on Friday, but details are not known. The garrison at Petrograd is preparing the city for a siege, posting machineguns in the houses covering the principal streets. Copenhagen advices state that it la reported at Reval that the Bolsheviks organised street barricades for the defence of Petrograd. A Bolshevik communique ref irts fierce fin-htiiiff in Kieff, where the onemy has been reinforced.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.T BOLSHEVIST THREAT. WILL DESTROY CITY. LONDON, October 20. \ message from Reval confirms the report that General Yudenitch. Com-mander-in-chief of the North-west Russian forces, has reached Petrograd. Ho captured Putiloff station, which is, within five miles of the centre of the city, n-nd his advanced guards have occupied the suburbs. A Bolshevik wireless message states that if the worst cornea to the worst the city will be reduced to ruir.s. The United States State Department learns that the general staff of the Finnish array officially reported to the Viborg representative of the Northwest Covernrnent of Russia that anti-Bolshevik forces had occupied IVtrograd and Kronstadt. {A. and N.Z. Cable.) FLEETS AT RIGA. GREAT HELP GIVEN. GERMAN KEVELATIOHS. LONDON", October 20. A telegram from Riga, dated October IS, emphasises the value of the assistance given by four British and four French destroyers in driving back the Germans and Russians from Riga. The destroyers, after a two hours' bombardment of the left bank of the Dvina, moved up the river. The Letts, covered by their fire, crossed the river and took a German fort, ■while two British cruisers shelled tho enemy's communications 10 miles die- | tant." The Letts are now re-establishing j a bridgehead near the positions held I before the siege.—(Reuter.) The "Vorwaerts" gives details of what it terms the "German mercenaries' bestialities" in Lithuania. During an attack upon a college at Shavli, German cavalry rushed the college hall. Soldiers bayoneted and bludgeoned the teachers and boys and girls, many of whom were badly wounded. The cavalry later attacked pedestrians in the streets. A Jewish high school was similarly attacked, and girls were trodden under foot. Their would-be rescuers were also attacked, the cavalry riding them down. Many were injured. The '"Vorwaerts"' demands the punishment of the officers concerned, including the local commandant, yon Diebitsch.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)