RUSSIAN AFFAIRS

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16653, 14 October 1919, Page 7

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS

THE BALTIO PROBLEM.

GERMAN ATTACK ON RIGA.

(By Cable—Prccs Association—ObpyriefcO (Australian and N.£. Cable Association.)

LONDON, Octobcr 12. Although the latest messages from Riga, dated October 10th, indicated that tho Letts were holding thoir own: at the of the city, later telegrams from Amsterdam and Helsingfora report that tho Russo-Gormans captured Rriga, under General von der Goltn's personal leadership. The British Foreign Office is unable to confirm tho reports, but states that the latest telegram shows that the Lettish Government made preparations to ovacua to Riga and take up a position to tho northward of the city, if necessary, fno British Mission remained in tho city on October loth, as also did the Premier. M. Ulmaiiis, but tho streets woro desertod and tlie shops closed. British official circles point out. that thoro Is misunderstanding regarding the coun-ter-measures. There lias boon no decision by tho Suprome Council to re>linposo tlio blockade, but it may bo neccssary to refuse consideration of Germany's request for the supply of foodstuffs and raw material, which are ti»o Kubiejt of negotiations. i'lio Riga correspondent of the 't3onday states that the German attack on Riga opened on Thursday and penetrated to tho suburbs. The fin " o,,r, t°r-attack drove them oat. The Germans crossed tho Dvina on FriT lglUn> rea<? hing the suburbs, but the Letts' stubborn dofonoo provontod tJiem from entering the city. The riclsingfors correspondent of tho "Express ' says that General von dor Goltz commands 120,000 Germans. <ssfpised as Russians, and also 75,000 Russians, who are attacking Riga after tho Letts' refusal of a froo passage to relieve Potrograd. ~ Esthonian communiqu6 reports that tho Lettish Government ha| left Riga, and lias gono to a station in Radenpols. The Lettish troops retired across tho Dvina and blow up tho jridges, taking up positions at the bridgeheads. Artillery and machinegun firo is proceeding between tho l<otts and the Germans. • The latter are bombarding Riga with artfllerv and aeroplanes. ' Berlin messages state that British ™ nnn P r /f 1 ? Rig 2 I ? ndod at Liba « aO,OOO Letts for n flank attnek on tho Germans under Colonel Bermondt, who, after the capture of the suburbs of +• ? a 'o ered P eaco » provided the Lettish Government guaranteed tho free P a ®age of the Germans to Potrograd • Ihe correspondent of the "Express" says that the British authorities state that there is 110 evidence that the German Government connived at the aggression on Riga. On the contrary, tho German Government is genuinely alarmed at the turn of events, particularly in view of the possibility of General von der Goltz's troops joining in the movement in favour of the restoration of the monarchy, or joining the ranks of the Spartacists. DESTRUCTIVE 'BOMBARDMENT. N VON" DER GOLTZ TO WITHDRAW, (Renter's, Telegrams.) (Received October 18th, 9.26 p.m.) .LONDON, October 12. An Esthonian communique states: We captured Yurbino and Lutski. Reuter's correspondent reports that the situation at Jtiga is unchanged' since Friday evening. The town- Is considerably damaged as a result of the bombardment, ard parts are in ruins. An enemy attempt to crosß tho bridge _ was repulsed. There were ■. many civilian casualties as a result of nn attack by hostile niftjrnft. Colonel Bcrxnondt's forces are advancing on a broad front between the Dvina and the Gulf. Tho Berlin correspondent of "Lo Temps" (Paris) states that Ton dei Goltz has undertaken that his troops shall evacuate tho Baltio Stateß, including the. detachment at Bischof >- which joined the army attacking Riga. A Berlin message says that von dei Goltz lias informed all his troopß ol the Allied ultimatum requiring tho evacuation of tho Baltic provinces. ' A telegram from Riga states that Colonel Bermondt announced his intention to enter Riga at midnight or Thursday. Tho plan was upset by th< sturdy resistance of bare-footed Letts, who succeeded in filling the broached in their line of resistance. ATTITUDE OF ALLIES. PARIS, October 12. The Allied Note, replying to, thi German contention that the measures taken for the recall ol the German troops absolve it from blame respecting the Batlic situation, nointß out that the withdrawal was so ' long deferred, nowithstanding the Allies' repeated remonstrances, that it was difficult to believe that the delay was not deliberately arranged, thereby rendering it impossible for the orders. to be carried out. Tho Allies hold the German Government entirely responsible for carrying out the evacuation, .r, and intend to maintain the coercivo measures already announced until the evacuation is carried The Allies will send a military mission to advise and assist the German Government's evacuation measures. NOTE FROM BERMONDT. (Beater's Telegrams.)' BERLIN. October 11. Colonel Bermondt handed a Note to the Ententei representative at Mitan on October Bth, stating that, as head of the Russian Army in the western provinces, he had concluded nn agreement with tho commanders of the German troops occupying the country, guaranteeing the gradual withdrawal of their troops to Germany! hut the Lett and Esthonian troops violated the neutral zone and attacked his troops, which were replacing the Gorman posts. He was therefore compelled to occupy a nevp lino, which would facilitate an advance against the Bolsheviks. Ho hopes the Allied Powers will support him, in accordance with the treatiee concluded with his country. Colonel Bermondt also sent a Note to the German Government, expressing Russia's thanks for the unforgettable services tho German troops rendered by saving the Russian border provinces' from Bolshevism. A HALT CALLED. ("The Times.") LONDON. October 11. The Copenhagen correspondent of ,T The Times'' reports that Colonel Bermondt has announced that ho does not intond to cross tho Dvina, having attained his provisional objective bv occupying the bridges and throwing back tho Letts beyond the right bank in order to secure a base against the Bolsheviks. The Amsterdam correspondent of , "Tho Times" declares that it would be foolish to longer question the German complicity in the Rigs raid. Renter's Mitau correspondent am that many Lettish troops have joined Colonel Bermondt. A telegram from Koenigsborg states 11 that strong Esthonian columns are marching on Riga. LENIN IMPRISONED. S HELSINGFORS, October 11. Lenin is imprisoned in a small town near Moscow. His colleagues arrested him owing to the fact that he was sufc-

fering from mental depression and threatened to leave Russia. . THE NORTHERN CAMPAIGN. HELSTNGFORS, October 12. In the north-west the Russians, under General Glazeneff, have begun a new offensive at Luga River, supported by tanks. After a clever feint, they recaptured Yamburg, with four Bolshevik regiments. Other Bolshevik losses during the last few days include 2000 men,'ana the entire staff of the division under' General Vladimirov One of the chief organisers of the offensive states that there is nothing to stop the advance to victory. Ho expects that Petrograd will bo captured in three (reeks. TANKS PROVED THEIR WORTH.

(Beuter'a Telegrams.} (Received October 13th, 9.40 p.m.) LONDON. October 12. A North Russian communique states ,tanks enabled our troops to cross the L'uga river in the vicinity of Yamburg. SIBERIAN RAILWAY. NEW YORK, October IS.. A dispatch from Tokio states it is understood that tho difficulty of Japanese protection of the trans-Siberian railway (caused by tho alleged failure of the Japanese troops to co-operate with tho Americans) has been settled. The negotiations between the United States and Jspan have ended.