GERMAN FLEET ACTIVE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10107, 15 October 1917, Page 5

GERMAN FLEET ACTIVE.

RUSSIAN ISLANDS CAPTURED IN GULF OF RIGA. Australian-Now Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Oct. 15. A, ■Russian communique stvsy The enemy ha,s landed one or two divisions on the 'viands of Oesel and Dago in the Gulf of 'Riga. The disembarkation was carried out •with extraordinary rapidity. The enemy have been preparing this operation for a long time, the weakness of the patrol services favoured the movement. The capture of these islands will deprive us of hitherto predominant positions in the Gulf of Riga and indicates fresh enemy operations nrobably in the direction of Hapsal. These events may have a direct influence on the situation in the Segewold region, where a change of front will be necessary, bringing it nearer to the Wendcn s\alk The Government has decided to put a.side all political and domestic affairs, and concentrate‘all its strength on the defence of the country. Our coast batteries were silenced by Iho powerful firing of the dreadnoughts. The enemy's movements were rendered difiicult by the moles which we constructed, and also by the bad visibility. The garrison of Oesel engaged the enemy. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Oct. 14. An official message from Berlin says; Our naval airships and hvdroplancs repeatedly attacked military establishments in the Gulf of Riga and dropped a. thousand Ivombs. A wireless Gorman official report says: Tn a combined action by the army and navv, wo obtained a footing on the island of Oesel,

GERMANS DEMONSTRATE IN FORCE. KERENSKY APPEALS TO BALTIC FLEET. (Renter’s Telegram. 1 Received October 15, 10.50 a.m. PETROGRAD, Oct. 14. The Minister of Marine learns that eight dreadnoughts, a dozen light cruisers, 40 torpedo boats, and 30 mine-sweepers participated in tho German landing at Oesel. Exports recognise tho seriousness of tho movfe, but do not consider that Petrograd is immediately menaced. The Naval General Staff reports that the enemy, who is in possession of tho northerneastern parts of Oesel, arrived near Arensberg, but only demonstrated against Dago. Kerensky sent a message to the Baltic fleet imploring it to do its duty. THE GERMAN “PILL BOXES.’ MADE WITH THE AID OF THE DUTCH. LORD CECIL’S DISCLOSURES. Australian-New* Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Oct. 12. Lord Robert Cecil, commenting on the British embargo on the Dutch transmission of German sand, gravel, and metal, declared tho question was most serious. He had just returned from the West Front and undoubtedly the Germans were using these materials for concreting trenches and building “pill boxes,” etc., in vast quantities. Replying to the Dutch contention that the Germans were using these materials for road making, Lord Robert Cecil emphasised the probability of the Germans satisfying their civil requirements with materials obtained front Belgium itself, thus enabling the imported materials to bo used for military purposes, thus justifying the stoppage of all cable communication. A PROPOSAL BY HOLLAND. WILL FAVOUR THE ENEMY. Auatrtlian-New Zealand Cable Association Received October 15. 8.45 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 14. Holland has agreed to stop tho transit of German concrete material from August 15 till early in 1918, and lias decided, r without Britain’s assent, to continue till November 15, then to stop till till the middle of March. No alteration is professedly made because of tho prospect of interfering frosts being experienced earlier in 1918. EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Oct. 13. An East African official report says: Tito right column of our troops, front Ktlwa, occupied Ruponda, an important junction ot the north-western end of the Muera plateau, and on the flank of the line of retreat of the enemy’s main body, whose rearguard was being pressed by our force moving south from Nahaya. Our rapid advance surprised the enemv, who was also making for Kuponda. Wo dislodged a strong detachment from their positions near Majendas southward of Mahcnge, and forced their retirement six miles to tho north-eastward. VARIOUS ITEMS. •Vustralian-New Zealand Cable A.-soci ition. BERNE, Oct. 15. Count Michael Karolyi. one of tho principals in 8010 Pasha's plots, secretly visited Switzerland seven weeks ago. and conferred with Gaillaux on the possibility of a separate peace between France and the Central Powers. LONDON, Oct. 12. The War Office announces that MajorGeneral Salmond has been appointed director of general military aeronautics, in succession to General Sir David Henderson, who is undertaking special work. LONDON, Oct. 12. The Board of Trade has increased the price of coal at the pit’s mouth by 2s 6d per ton, to meet the cost of the war wage recently granted to tho minors.