THE RUSSO-RUMANIAN FRONT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3314, 19 September 1917, Page 15

THE RUSSO-RUMANIAN FRONT.

THE ADVANCE ON RIGA CHECKED. The German advance in the Riga sector is slowing clown. The Russians have occupied new positions in the Venden and Volmar hill country (on the east bank of the Aii). . The advancing Germans would be exposed to a flank attack from the Russians near _ Friedrichstadt (on the Dwina) if the Russians were only disciplined enough to use their strength. The Russian right flank on the coast is retiring to avoid encirclement, but is not hard pressed. The eentro is falling back under the stress of constant German attacks.

It is reported at Headquarters that the Germans have sent their best regiments, including- nearly the whole of the Guards, from the south-west front northwards. The German fleet now commands the Gulf of Riga. It has destroyed the protecting minefield, and the Russian fleet has retired. Many German submarines have appeared in Finnish waters, and a naval attack is expected. The Russian fleet is guarding the_ entrance to the Gulf of Tinland, and minefields are protecting all the gulfs and harbours.

The Daily Mail's Petrograd correspondent says a member of the Soldiers and Workmen's Committee, belonging to the Twelfth Army, which defended Riga, reveals apparent treachery in connection with the- fall of the town. General Brusiloff promised reinforcements, but they were not sent. The Germans, who outnumbered the Russians, were evidently informed of the weakest spot, and broke through at a point held by untrained territorials. They also located Russian batteries exactly, and immediate! 7 put them out of action. General Russky has been appointed to the command on the northern front, and General Fragomiroff to a similar position on the south-western front. THE GENERAL POSITION. Colonel Chumsky, the well-known Russian expert, points out that the lack of manpower for the long line between the frontier and Petrograd is one reason why a German march on Petrograd is improbable. The Germans have only 200,000 men- on the Riga fronts, and the Russians opposing them are well equipped and undefeated. Russian demoralisation is the only cause of the German advance. The weather is also against an extended march, as the heavy guns cannot move more than three or four miles a day, and the autumn floods are coming on. Moreover, Dvinsk, Polotsk, and Vitebsk must be taken first. The enemy are thus unlikely to pass the Dwina lino. It would be impossible for the Germans to capture the Russian fleet by naval enterprise, as the Russian land batteries aro too powerful. The Daily Mail's correspondent states that food considerations are likely to govern the German war policy in Courland and Lithuania, which are wheatless. A quarter of the population of Courland are believed to have died from starvation. OFFICIAL REPORTS. Russian official messages state: In the direction of Riga, in the region of Pskov, our rearguards aro holding back attacks on the Burtnek lino. Enemy hydroplanes from the Baltio dropped 40 tons of bombs on the Tzercl batteries without result. Sixteen air machines twice attacked our torpedoboats in tho Gulf of Riga, but no damage resulted. Enemy mine-sweepers aro working at the entrance of the Gulf of Riga. On the Gulf of Riga coast our advanced detachments, meeting with slight opposition, took up a line from Indupeloi to Sappaskc. Encounters between the Pskoff road and the Dwina ended in our favour. Wo repulsed enemy's offensives north-west of Slonik and south of Rudantz. Our vanguards, after a stubborn battlo, obtained possession of a massif southward of Lake

Plaude and a foothold in the SchkorstenSilamouya line. Our vanguards are advancing in the direction of Riga. We continue to hold the Nistzupepaus-lvebayer line. We took possession of a height southward of Radantz and repulsed counter-attacks. In tho direction of Riga advanced detachments are fighting their way forward. They have occupied Kulis, a village in the coast region, and captured Peine, southward of the Pskov road, taking prisoners and booty. They advanced to Rcntzon and southward. We twice attacked southward of Nausko, but wero repulsed. Tho enemy in tho region of Medug are strongly fortifying themselves. We attacked in tho region of Pskov road and occupied Kronsberg. Further southward wo advanced 800 yards, occupied Peine, Kcstzen, and Sisseral. Advancing towards Lemberg, wo repulsed the enemy westward of Ocna. Our torpedo boats bombarded naval batteries on tho Courland coast, arid fires were observed. Wo captured an important position in the region of the Pskov highroad near Kronberj' Farm, but were repulsed from a captured wood near Baerzisk, north-east of Husiatyn. The enemy have withdrawn to heights on the Mychkovtzc-Vasilkovtzo line. Our pilots dropped bombs, causing conflagrations at Horosemkov, between Husiatyn and Tremboula. A stubborn battle is proceeding on tho Pskov road, in tho region of Zegevold Farm. Our troops aro showmg great firmness and stability, and .aro expelling the enemy. In Moldavia we repulsed attacks in the direction of Focsam and north-west of Mereochosi.

German official messages state: Vanguard encounters occurred between the Dwina and cast of Bukowina, and obtained local advantages near Solka. Wo repulsed Russian reconnoitring parties between the Baltic and the Dwina. A total of 890 prisoners, 325 cannon, several trains, and other booty was taken in the Riga battle. We repulsed five attacks south-west of Eilgul-Oyna. Southward of tho Riga-Venden road our cavalry withdrew before strong Russian pressure. Wo repulsed the Russo-Ruma-niane between the Trotus and Oitoz Valleys. THE CAUCASUS. A Russian official report says: The Turks in the Caucasus forced us back beyond the line of the mountains at Shiva,. Richtu, and Boubaresh, 50 versts eastward of Vevanduza.