TERRITORY OCCUPIED BY THE ENEMY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9757, 5 September 1917, Page 5

TERRITORY OCCUPIED BY THE ENEMY

ANARCHY DOMINANT IN PETROGRAD

By Telegraph—Press Association—^Copyright. Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association and Router. Admiralty, Per Wireless Press. LONDON, September 8. A Russian official report states: West of Riga wo retired to a lino from Bildorlingshof' to Modem and Dnlon Island. In the direction of CJxkull, the enemy penetrated our positions on the Jaegol River. Some of our detachments voluntarily loft their positions, and retired northwards. Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association. (Received September 4, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, September 3. The decision to abandon Riga has boon received with tho gravest concern among the Angio-Russian community. It is hoped that the danger to Petro-gra-d will yet unite all parties. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. (Received September 4, 11.30 p.m. LONDON, September 4. A wireless German official message states that Riga has been taken. Rigsi is a seaport of Russia, capital of the government of Livonia, and seat of Governor-General of the Baltic provinces, on the river Dvina, about iivo miles above its mouth in the Gulf of Riga, and 312 miles south-west of Potrograd. Tho town, which possesses a school of navigation, is an important industrial and commercial centre. It is the principal Russian seaport on the Baltic next to Petrograd. Its industries embrace milling and brewing, and the manufacture of machinery, railway cars, tobacco, etc. Tho harbour is not well protected 1 , and is Obstructed by ice throughout the winter. The population before the war was about 300,000,, of whom one-half wore Germans. A GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE ROUT OF RETREATING RUSSIANS. MARKED BY BURNING VILLAGES AND FARMS. Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. Admiralty Wireless. LONDON, September 3. A Gorman communique states:—We crossed the Dvina on both sides of Uxkull. Our troops arc progressing. Dense columns are hastily proceeding north-east from Riga, and burning villages and farms mark the routes of the recreating Russians. THE POSITION IN ROUMANIA REPULSES REPORTED BY RUSSIANS AND GERMANS. Admiralty, Per Wireless Press. LONDON, September 3. A Russian official report states:—We repulsed attacks, inflicting heavy losses in ttho direction Of Focsani. A German official report states: —We repulsed the Russians and Roumanians between Susita and the Putna Valley. THE POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ASPECT FORCES OF ANARCHY DOMINATE THE GOVERNMENT. - EXTREMISTS HAVE REGAINED THE UPPER HAND OF COUNCIL AND MINISTERS. Published in the “Times.” (Received September 5, 12.23 a.m.) PETROGRAD,. September 4. Mr Wilton, “The Times” correspondent, states that the Extremist elements have regained the upper hand of the Council and Ministers, and are displaying the greatest activity in all the cities of Russia. Repeated acts of arson at Potrograd and Kazan reveal ominous signs of a recrudescence of the Maximalist campaign. The Government anticipate® serious disturbances,. Armoured cars are held in readiness at Potrograd for any emergency. Tho situation as a whole ha® not improved since tho Moscow Conference. Tho irresponsible forces of anarchy are dominating the Government, and precious time is being wasted in futile bickerings. General Komilolf has been constrained to take personal measures to ensure the supply of food for tho army, and is ordering the forcible appropriation of cereals from peasants. COSSACKS DEPRIVED OF HISTORIC PRIVILEGES THEIR ATTITUDE AWAITED WITH INTENSE ANXIETY. ' Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. PETROGRAD, September 3. It is reported that action has been taken depriving the Don Cossacks of their historic privileges. One result has been to make General Kaledin a simple soldier. Though all tho Cossack armies are not yet affected, it is feared tho action will affeot twelve armies belonging to the Cossack League, which was powerfully represented at the Moscow Congress. The Cossacks have always been staunch to Russia, and set an example of devotion during tho recent upheavals. They stoutly support General Korniloff’s demands. It is believed tho action against the Cossacks originated at the Moscow Congress, whore a section of the delegates resented the presence of the CosBack representatives. The Cossacks’ attitude is awaited with, intense interest. A MEANS TO RAISE THE FIGHTING SPIRIT OF THE ARMIES APPOINTMENT OP MILITARY COMMISSIONERS SUGGESTED. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received September 4, 7.15 p-m.) ' PETROGRAD, September 3. All the armies represented at tbo Moscow Congress recommend the appointment of Military Commissioners to Headquarters on every front in order to raise the fighting spirit and secure democratic reorganisation; also the appointment under the presidency of the War Minister of a Military Council for tho purpose of enlightening and interesting the whole army at the front and in the rear.. STRIKE OF ENGINE-DRIVERS ENDED Reuter’s Telegrams. PETROGRAD, September 3. The engine-drivers have abandoned their strike, pending negotiations.