BARRED BY RAINY SEASON

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9758, 6 September 1917, Page 5

BARRED BY RAINY SEASON

RIGA IN FLAMES AT MANY POINTS

By Tel©c:raph —Press Association —Copyrighfc. Australian and New Zealand Cable AssfX'iatiou. (Received September 5, 10.50 p.m-) LONDON, September 4. 3VT. Shumsky, war export to the “Bourse Gazette,” Petrograd, interviewed in London, said; “The German rush to Riga cannot seriously menace Petro grad this year. An offensive 400 versts distant will require at least two months. The Germans started too late. Within two or three weeks they will meet the rainy season and' bad roads. Moreover, the well-fortified lake system in the Ptekoff region protects Petrograd. The Anglo-French attacks have drawn 160 German divisions westward and insufficient forces have been left on the Russian front to defeat even the disorganised Russian army,which is supported by excellent artillery and an enormous quantity of ammunition. THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE AT RIGA SOME BITTER FIGHTING RESULTED. Reuter's Telesrrams. (Received September 5, 11.10 p.m.) PETROGRAD, September 5. Tbe German offensive at Riga began by a bombardment with asphyxiating shells and gas waves- The enemy then threw pontoons across the Dvina. Some were destroyed by the Russian batteries, but ultimately the Germans obtained a footing on the other bank. Bitter fighting followed, loyal Russians counter-attacking. German reinforcements arriving- fine Russians withdrew northward. The German artillery seriously damaged the town. The attack was not accompanied! by naval operations, EVACUATION OF THE CITY PUBLIC BUILDINGS QUITTED MONTHS AGO. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. PARIS, September 4. All the public buildings ah Riga were evacuated many months ago, and the inhabitants diminished to a hundred thousand. , , . . It is reported that there are ten German divisions on the Riga tront, which are intended! to advance on Pskoff, (170 miles north-eastward of Riga) and Petrograd. FORTIFICATIONS BLOWN UP ENEMY SHIPS SHELLING AT MOUTH OF THE DVINA. Admiralty, Per Wireless Press. , . LONDON, September 4. A Russian official report states: We evacuated Riga, blowing up the fortifications at the mouth of the Dvina and the bridges. Our retirements continue to the north-east. , , _ . . ... Enemy ships are now shelling Riga and the coastal villages. In tbe direction of Uxkull the enemy dislodged onr troops on the groat Jaegel river, penetrated our positions on a front of eight miles, and! occupied Valdendone. Wo are retiring to the north. . . . Measures have been taken, to readjust our front. Our troops failing to withstand the enemy pressure in the region of Mildep, Rybnak,, and Krangem, we retired to the north-east. A GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT RIGA IN FLAMES AT MANY POINTS. RUSSIANS EVACUATE BRIDGEHEAD WEST OF THE DVINA. (Received September 5, 11.10 p.m.) x , _ LONDON, September 5. A wireless German official message states: The Russians evacuated the bridgehead westward of the Dvina and. Riga. Wo stand before the mouth of the Dvina. Riga is ablaze at many points. In a b.tter struggle we overcame strong Russian forces on both sides of t»h© Great Japel river. We took 1000 prisoners and 150 guns. _________ POLITICAL TURMOIL IN PETROGRAD PROPOSED DEATH PENALTY REJECTED. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. 1 (Received September 5, 11.10 p.m.) ' LONDON, September 5. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Petrograd correspondent writes: “The Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Delegates discussed the Moscow decision m favour of the death penalty. M. Tsrretelli bravely endeavoured to. persuade the meeting to favour the proposal, but the Internationalists and Social Revolutionaries won. M Tseretelli’s defeat is symptomatic, and shows that the international element in "the Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Council still outweighs the patriotic element. The municipal elections are proceeding. Petrograd extremists are using the death penalty as their principal election ory. GENERAL GOURKO TO BE BANISHED Reuter’s Telegram. W 6. It is reported that the Government has decided to banish General Gourko.

MACEDONIAN FRONT

A BULGARIAN REPORT. By- Telegraph—Pres* Association —Copyright Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn, and Reuter. (Received September 5, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, September 4. A Bulgarian communique states: There was a violent enemy bombardment on the Macedonian front on September 2nd. At dawn yesterday the French attacked Tchervena, Stena and West Bitolia. Our curtain of fire repulsed the attacks. A STRATEGIC MOVEMENT ALLIED OFFENSIVE IN MACEDONIA INITIATED. By Telegraph—Prea* Aseooia/tion—Copyright Australian anti N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, September 4. The “Petit Parisien” says the Allies have initiated an energetic offensive in Macedonia, with tbe view of preventing the vulgarians reinforcing the Roumanian, xront. THe {can is thus to relievo the Allies in Moldavia. NORWEGIAN SHIPPING TOLL TWENTY-ONE SUNK DURING i AUGUST. By Telegraph—Pres* Association—Copyright Reuter's Telegrams. (Received September 5, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, September 5. Twenty-one Norwegian ships were sunk during the month of August. BUKOWiNA REGION ■ By Telegraph—Pres* A*«ool»tlon—Copyright Aus. and N Z. Cable Assn, and Beater (Received September 5, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, September 4. A German official message states: We captured a hill south-west of Cernowitz.

PRESIDENT WILSON'S NOTE

CREATES PROFOUND IMPRESSION IN VIENNA. By Telegrraph—Presa Association—Copyriglit Australian and N.Z. r»blo Association. (Received September 5. 7.50 p.m.) BERNE, September 4. President Wilson’s Note has created a profound impression in Vienna. It is regarded as an incitement to a revolution in Germany. ENGOUBAGINIT MESSAGE WILSON ADDRESSES NEW YORK DRAFTS. By Telegraph—Pres* Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z Cable Association, ‘ NEW YORK, September 4. President Wilson, in a message to the New York drafted men, says: “My thoughts will follow you across the sea with confidence and genuine envy. 1 would like to be with you m the field and in the trench where the real final battle will be fought.” PERTURBED PORTUGAL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian rad N.Z. Cable Auociacion. MADRID, September 4. Troubles in Portugal are reported. There have been mutinies on some of the warships. Many arrests have been made, and the trams stopped, DEFECTIVE U.S. AMMUNITION REMARKABLE ASSERTION TO BE INVESTIGATED. By Telegraph-Press Association—Copyrlgh* Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, September 4. Congress has passed a resolution, asking for details of the assertion that one-third of the ammunition being sent to General Pershing is defective.