The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1917-10-18
RUSSIAN FLEET
ROUTS GERMANS
Enemy Torpedo Boat Squadron
Driven OFF by Defenders.
BATTLE OFF oEsEL ISLAND
Panic seizes Petrosrad and Many Civ.
iIlans Flee as Teutons Threat.
en- city-serlin Claims
u....... Advance. .....

Petrograd, Oct. 16.--GerInaTl forces
which landed on the Russian island Of
Oesel, at the head of the Gulf of Riga,
on Friday, occupied Arensburg. the
capital Of the island. on Saturday, it
was officially announced by the Rus
sian war Office. Arensburg Is ON the
southern shore of Oesel island. The
northern group Of German warships,
the statement adds, dispatched tor
Dedo-boat squadron between the is-
lands Of oesel and Dago, which pressed
back the Russian patrols. Russian
naval forces REINFORCED the patrol
and accepted battle, whereupon the
German ships retired. l. Tx
jas Russian Forces in Peril. i.
The German forces which we're
landed on oesel island, at the head of
the Gulf Of Riga, are pushing forward
to, the east and south, placing In a, DIFF.
ticult position the Russian forces and
batteries in the district of Arensburg,
at the southern end OF the island, and
especially those on the Ceral penin-
Sula. u s,a. $50 IA, 49,.
Military critics predict actions IN
the Gulf Of Riga, followed By develop.
ment of the invasion to; the mainland,
on the coast of Esthonia., rather than
an attempt toward the Gulf Of Fin
land, which is protected by mine fields
which the Germans would have to
sweep under the menace of the Rus
sian fleet. ystgts.r A
Many Flee Capital in Panic
The landing of the Germans has in-
creased the exodus from Petrograd,
which has been noticeable since the
fall Of Riga. Since Saturday the ticket
offices have been besieged, many per-
sons offering Urge premiums for
tickets. The situation is aggravated
by rumors, which were branded Off.
cially as unfoundeds that passenger
traffic will be stopped soon, In view
of the expected evacuation OF govern,
ment Institutions. wa s.. IT,, 49, m,
1t is stated in government circles
that no extensive EVACUATION Is looked
for, as no immediate danger threatens
the capital. The new. front is still 300
miles distant, 1t is neinted out, and
the roads are impassable. !. 1t Is not
believed a landing in, Finland viii be
attempted owing TO the scarcity of
supplies there and to the fact that
provisioning would be rendered diff
cult, with winter approaching, by the
freezing 9f the sea. 80 ....y.. ~.
Gains Reported by Germans ~
Berlin, Oct. 16.-Rapld progress has
been made by the German rooops
which landed on the Russian island of
Oesel, according to the, official state
ment issued by the German war Office
German warships shelled the RusSihn
land batteries and silenced Them
SvOrb peninsula has been cut of from
the northern part of the island. ~.
German torpedo boats, the statement
adds, penetrated the inner waters be-
tween the islands of Oesel and Dago
and In repeated engagements pressed
back the Russian naval forces into the
Moonsund. ~
The German landing. forces have
pushed forward on the island OF oesel
as far as Arensburg the capital, which
Is ablaze. The Teutons are advancing
in East Oesel. toward the east coast, on
which the Russiansare rapidly retreat
ing to escape over the mole connecting
the island with Moon island. &. Il II /.