THE THREAT TO RUSSIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16670, 15 October 1917, Page 4

THE THREAT TO RUSSIA.

The German activity near the Gulf of Riga reported to-day has been expected for a considerable time. Possibly the mutinous condition of the German navy is the cause of the delay in taking advantage of a pronounced Russian weakness. It was known a month ago that the Russian navy had lost command of the Gulf of Riga. To-day it is admitted in a Russian communique that German troops have landed on the islands of Oesel and Dago, which formed Russia's chief defence of the opening of the gulf. This, together with the tone of the Russian message, which admits the possibility of a landing on the mainland at HapsaLmay be taken to indicate that the naval situation is completely in the hands of the Germans. The force landed on the islands is a small one, but unless the Russian navy can dispute the passage of troopships it may be strengthened, and a German attack

upon Reval, the Russian naval base on the Gulf of Finland, would not be a surprising sequel to a landing at Hapsal. The islands which the Germans have occupied lie close to Hapsal, which is connected by rail-, way with Reval, about 60 miles distant. The situation as it stands to-day is a distinct menace to Russia, threatening her Baltic fleet and her capital. It is reported that the Government has decided to put aside domestic differences and concentrate all Russia's strength upon the defence of the country. Everything depends upon the extent to which this ideal is realised, for against a strong and united Russia Germany could not hope to succeed in her new enterprise. It is noteworthy that this is only the second occasion during three years of war upon which German troops have been transported by sea. An attempt was made in August, 1915, to land a force at Pernau, in the Gulf of Riga, but the Russian fleet then had full command of the gulf, and the expedition ended in disaster, 'the whole landing force being captured or destroyed, while eight German destroyers and two cruisers were either sunk or put out of action. The present German operation has had a more auspicious opening and might easily develop into a test of Russian strength and staying power.