The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-07
KAISER PLANS
SEA DRIVE ON
RUSS CAPITAL?
Sends Many Warships to Bal
tic and Finland Waters.
Enemy Vessels Now Only 800
Miles From PetrOgrad.
RUSSIAN FLEET INFERIOR
Could Put Up Little Resistance
Against Germany's.
Two Great Naval Bases and
Forts Guard Capital.
FALL OF RIGA AROUSES FIGHT
PetrOgrad Speeds Preparation
To Meet Hun Invader.
Revival of Patriotism Seen as
Troops March to Front.
Could Put Up Little Resistance
Against Germany's.
Two Great Naval Bases and
Forts Guard Capital.
FALL OF RIGA AROUSES FIGHT
PetrOgrad Speeds Preparation
To Meet Hun Invader.
Revival of Patriotism Seen as
Troops March to Front.

London, Sept Germany may be
preparing to turn her battle fleet to
the job of blasting the Russian fleet
and lombard Petrograd
Within the last week the presence
in the Baltic of submarines, Destroy
ers, mine sweepers, cruisers and even
heavier warships, has been reported,
eliminating today in dispatches IN
dicating a German fleet at the en-
trance to the Gulf of Finland rms
would put the enemy vessels aoout
SEQ miles distant from Petrograd.
If Germany chooses. she can con-
centrate a big squadron for a sea
drive on Russia. The Kiel canai
would permit transfer of any neces'
sary ships now in the North sea Ger
man ports. into the Baltic.
Russian Fleet at Reval.
Two great Russian naval depots
and fortresses guard the capital. They
are Reval close to the mouth of the
gulf and Kronstadt, only a score OF
miles from Petrograd. The gulf itself
has been thickly sowed with mines
Part of the Russian fleet is known to
be at Reval. 1t is so far outranked
by the German fleet, however. that
it is doubtful if they could impede any
formidable squadron.
There was considerable doubt eX-
pressed here that Germany would
dare send any of her high seas fleet
from the Kiel canal to the Baltic be-
cause of the constant German fear
of an attack by the great British bat
tile fleet Nevertheless she has Dlen-
ty of vessels outranging and outrank
ing the Russian warships which coul6
be spared for such a naval campaign
Would Kronstadt Fight?
The fortress of Kronstadt, main de-
fense of Petrograd, is located twenty
miles from the capital, at the eastern
extremity of the Gulf of Finland.
An artificial channel gives access
from here down the Neva 10 Petro-
grad, seven months of the year. Dur
ing the other five ice seals the wa
ters.
Kronstadt ranks as first class
fortress but there have been frequent
indications of an impairnent il
morale of the sailors stationed there
krOnStadt a few months ago proclaim
ed independence from Russia AMI was
the scene of bloody rioting agains,
the provisional government, later,
however, order was restored and the
malcontents removed.
Arouses Russ.
Petrograd, Sept 7-Petrograd is
preparing for a possible German at
tack.
Red placards scattered everywhere
on walls and buildings today called on
all Russians to do their duty
Troops are passing thru the streets
en- route to the front to repel the in
Vader. But the populace remains
quiet and apparently unworried No
panic is visible.
Riga's fall electrified the city. It
was not the shock of fear, however,
but rather a powerful impetus to
patriotic sentiment inspiring .aete--
mination to fight.
Regiments on Way to Frout.
Regiments which yesterday passed
in review before Premier Kerensky as
they entrained for the front where
the Germans are now batte:ing for
ward, drew tremendous ovation
from the Petrograd poI;ulace
kerensky himself was cheered tu the
echo by the troops and the crowds.
Public attention today is centere6
more on the wholesale arrests cf the
provisional government in the coun-
prospect of the Germans reaching
Petrograd.
The popular belief that the con-
spiracy was of monarchists, was sup
ported in the arrests of -wo grand
dukes already announced.
One other report circulated TODAY
was that the wife of Grand Duke
Jean Consta ntin ovitch. son of the for
mer cars uncle, the Grand Duke
Constantin. had been implicated in
the plot and taken into custody She
was formerly the Princess Helene of
Serbia.
Red Cross There
Amerio- / Red Cross workers are
here and everywhere. Under General
Korniloffs orders, Mccarthy, Grew,
Whillpe and Perne' of the Red Cross
visited the battle front. where they
Continued on Page TwoJ