Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-16
MORE RIGA ISLANDS
TAKENBY GERMANS
Runo and Abro Claimed by
Berlfn-Petrograd Reports
More Successes for Foe.
SEREL is ENDANGERED

the Gulf of Riga, which have centereo
attention upon the northern Russian
front for several days past, are not
likely to be extended this fall to the
Gulf Of Finland, on the route to Reval
Cronstadt and Petrograd. in the opinion
of Russian naval authorities. The late.
ness of the season will have the effect
of localizing the German effort, the
minister of marine believes.
The Germans claim to have taken Runo
and Abio islands. Petrograd admits the
Germans have extended their successes.
The situation created by the Ieutonie
move is serious enough for the
Russians in its present aspect. With
the great naval preponderance OF the
Germans in the Baltic there seems little
to prevent the movement making the
Gulf of Riga virtually a German lake
and solidifying 1t into strong naval
base from which military operations
as well could easily be pushed advan-
tageously under propitious weather
conditions.
BY the Associated Press.
PETROGRAD. October 16.-The Ger
man landing force on the Russian Island
of Oesel is developing it's success, the
Russian war Office announced today, ana
the Teutons are being reinforced with
additional troops.
The Germans have instituted an Of
fensive against the Svorb peninsula, IN
the southwestern section of the island,
with the object Of capturing the Rus
sian batteries at Serel. These batteries
cover the entrance to the Gulf of Riga
The landing of German troops couid
have been averted only oy risk-
ing battle under unfavorable circum :
stances. which might have resulted in
the opening of the Gulf of Finland to
the enemy. according to Admiral YER
dervski. minister of marine. The blow
is a hard one to Russia. but the Rus
sian fleet apparently was in no position
to hinder the Germans
Since March, the admiral said, L
have several times drawn attention to
the possibility of such a blow, and
also discussed the situation with Pre-
mier Kerensky, but no one paid atten-
ton to the governments warning. AL
though we are at war, our political dill
ferences have been given first place In
the minds of the people. The Germans
take this into account and events show
that they have been able to take full
advantage Of it."
German Sea Power Greater.
German naval power is four times
greater than that of Russia, the ad-
miral continued. The naval force in the
Gulf Of Riga did everything possible to
prevent a landing OF the Germans. and
will continue to carry out all orders Of
the minister of marine.
The minister Of marine sees no imme
date danger of German attempt to
enter the Gulf Of Finland. He expressed
the belief that owing to the lateness OF
the season the German operations will be
localized.
The Petrograd council of workmen's and
soldiers delegates has issued an appeal to
the army and the fleet to obey their COM
manders and to fight to save the capital
and repel the Germans in the Gulf of
Riga.
Russian Official Report.
German naval and aerial forces are sup
porting the land forces on the northern
and southern sections of Oesel island.
says an official report. Further move
ments Of the German naval forces into
the Gulf Of Riga. the statements says.
are covered by the long range artillery Of
the Russians from Oesel Island.
BERLIN, October 1.-THE Germans
have taken full possession Of the main
portion of Oesel Island at the entrance
to the Gulf of Riga, the war Office re-
ports. The Russians have been fso-
lated on Svorb peninsula and are Of
fering desperate resistance.
Runo and Abro Islands in the Gulf OF
Riga have been occupied by the Ger
mans.