THE RIGA NAVAL BATTLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1915, Page 4

THE RIGA NAVAL BATTLE.

Although the cabled information with reference to the naval engagement in the Gulf of Riga is of an indefinite and somewhat conflicting nature, there can be no doubt as to the issue of the fight, for the Germans admit having to retreat The incident is of especial interest, inasmuch as it affords a sharp contrast with the landing operations carried out by the British at Suvla Bay. 'The German attempt to land troops—possibly numbering 10,000—near Pernovin, transported thither in four vessels, the men being transferred for landing purposes to four barques of enormous proportions, proved a disastrous failure, according to the Russian report, the barques being captured and troops exterminated by the Russian land forces, with the result that the German fleet quitted the scene. During the battle at sea the German cruiser Moltkc (a sister ship of the Gocben, armed with ten 11-inch guns) was destroyed, and it is claimed that three cruisers and seven torpedo boats were also destroyed. That the German fleet was driven out of the gulf seems to be beyond doubt. From a later cable it would appear that the Moltkc was sunk by a torpedo fired by the Allies (probably a British submarine). It is evident that the enemy suffered severely, and the effect of this reverse will hearten up the Russians for the continuance of their desperate struggle on land. It is probable that during the retreat the German vessels were attacked by the British submarines, which have been, and are, co-operating in the Baltic, and the extent of that attack has yet to be made known. Germany is desperately striving to capture Riga, and this setback caine at a very opportune moment, From a strategic point of view the capture of Riga is of the utmost importance to Germany as a base for operations against Petrograd or for cutting the Russian communications with Moscow. Therefore the defeat of the effort removes a serious menace to the retreating forces of the Czar. There is good reason for rejoicing over the enemy's defeat, and for appreciating the work of the British submarines, which proved such a potent factor in the destruction' of the German vesseh. Amid the hardships attendant on a continuous retreat, the defeat of the German attempt on Riga will come as a refreshing stimulant to the hurrasscd Russians, and tho boasted invincibility of the Germans must certainly be restricted to their land operation*, and then only with a wide saving clause. The result of the battlo is one of the most gratifying of recent events.