RUSSIA’S DARK HOUR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10113, 22 October 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA’S DARK HOUR.

WAR SHIPS BOTTLED UP. BALTIC FLEET TO GO TO THE RESCUE. (London Times' Telegrams.) , LONDON. Oct. 20. Olio latest news from Riga emphasises the seriousness of the Russian disaster, the present position being apparently that nineteen or twenty Russian warships arc bottled up in the narrow Moon Sound, one side of "’lnch is in German occupation. The German fleets, with numerous auxiliaries, are guarding the north and south exits. I lie _ actual number of warships taking refuge in the Sound is unknown, though a German communique says that twenty wore engaged. The, Russians name only three of their big vessels, but are silent, concerning what has happened to the remainder of the defending licet. It is certain that the powerful Baltic Fleet, whose base is Kronsf 'dt. has not participated, and it. may posAbly now seek to go to tbo rescue of the isolated squadron, whose dangerous nosition L accentuated by (he dangers of Moon Sound, which is mostly shallow water with a deep narrow passage in the middle and with mines at the entrance. The land operations depend on the German intention of their occupying of Moon Island. The partial destruction of the forts and the narrowness (six to ten miles) of the Sound enables them to land their troops on the mainland from Oesel Island in boats under Rio cover of the long-range naval guns, which outrange the remaining land batteries. The Government’s decision to evacuate Retrograd is the natural outcome of recentevents, and is largely for political reasons, as there is no immediate danger of its occupation by the enemy troops

ENEMY SHIPS IN GREAT STRENGTH. PETROGRAD, Got. 10. Details of the Gulf of Riga battle show that the eneinv ships were in great strength. Various squadrons, assisted by rninc-swecp-ers, submarines, and strong aerial squadrons. attacked at various, points, probably two-thirds of tin- whole encmv fleet was engaged. The bombing of (he Reman resulted in (he killing of ton civilians. The Russian crews throughout ■ the fighting displayed great bravery. A POWERFUL GERMAN ATTACK, Austrnlian-New Zealand Cable Association. PETROGRAD. Oct. 19. The Minister of Marine, M. Verderevskf. has joined the Baltic Fleet. lie states that each Koenig Dreadnought in the recent battle was more powerful. than the whole Russian squadron, lie declares the Russians sank the Slava when it was discovered she was too badly to join the remainder of the retiring warships, and with the object of putting a block_ in the channel against the enemy. Tho chief of the Naval General Staff stated that the submarines were unable to prevent the German disembarkation at Oosel Island, in consequence of the heavy swell. RUSSIAN OFFICIAL MESSAGE. LONDON, Oct. 19. A wireless Russian official message says: During Wednesday’s battle our battleships secured Juts on the enemy Dreadnoughts. No fewer than ten German Dreadnoughts of the Kaiser and Koenig types, 10 cruisers, 50 destroyers, whereof twenty were of the newest type, 10 submarines and a large number of trawlers and auxiliaries with transports, hydroplanes and raits participated. Enemy troops on Wednesday landed at Serro, on Dago Island, and it was reported that eleven enemy ships were anohored on the east coast of tho island

WHY MOON ISLAND WAS ABANDONED. LONDON, Oct. 20. A wireless Russian official message says: Under the pressure of superior naval force we abandoned Moon Island. Our trawlers discovered enemy mine fields sown with the intention ot closing the entrance to Riga Gulf from Moon Sound. These operations, in conjunction with Rio landing of detachments on Dago Island, show the enemy’s desire, to destroy the naval forces defending this region. LAWLESSNESS IN SOUTH RUSSIA. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. ODESSA, Oct. 10. Criminal outbreaks are increasing in South Russia, armed bands of soldiers and civilians engaging in robbery and murders. In the Caucasus two hundred brigands removed rails and wrecked a train, and massacred the passengers. PETROGRAD, Oct. 19. Martial law has been proclaimed at Kulais, in the Caucasus, after the mob bad wrecked the central quarters of the town. AUSTRIAN ARMY SURRENDERS. WASHINGTON, Oct. 20. It is officially learned that an Austrian army composed* of Mohammedan and Serbs from Bosnia, lias surrendered to the Roumanians and will join the Jugoslav legion now being formed from the Serbians.

AUSTRO-GERMAN FRICTION. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Oct. 19. The Daily Chronicle’s Amsterdam correspondent says; I have learned from a reliable source that there is serious AustroGorman friction. Germany sent 100,000 troops to Austria, for which the latter was requested to find food. Austria resisted the demand, pointing out Austria’s food shortage. Germany has now stopped the Austrian mails for Holland since early in October, and the dispute remains unsettled. MONASTIR BOMBARDED. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association SALONIKA, Oct. 19. A heavy Bulgarian bombardment of Monastir, causing many civilian casualties and much damage, coincided with the visit of the Kaiser and King Ferdinand from Sofia. MORE HUNNISH MALEVOLENCE. AMSTERDAM, Oct. 20. A largo number of Belgians who refused to work for the military were confined to barracks at Zevencote, near the Yser front. They were daily marched to the firing zone. There wore many casualties. POLIS'H NATIONAL COMMITTEE. LONDON, Oct. 19. The Entente Governments have formally recognised the Polish National Committee, which has been formed to secure Poland’s independence with access to the sea. ll is raising a Polish army to operate in France and Russia. THE DAY OF RECKONING. ATHENS, Oct. 19. Thooclites, the Archbishop of Athens, lias been sentenced by the Ecclesiastical Court to degradation and two years’ confinement in a monastery for interfering in politics and assisting officially to pronounce the "Anathema” on M. Venizelos. Other prelates wero sentenced to various other penalties.