The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1917-10-19
NAVY BARS
Way OF GERMANS
Russian War Vessels Success.
fully Advance Of the
Huns Into finland Gulf.
TWO TEUTON BOATS 60 DOWN
But Land Forces Are Driving Hard
for Possession of Oesel--Raid-
ing in Flanders.

ing in Flanders.
Washington, Oct. 17.-Apparently
there has been no cessation in the
rapid program of the Germans to
seize in it's entirety the Russian is
land Of Oesel at the head of the Gulf
of Finland. But although their troops
now have taken the greater portion of
the island, the aid they had expected
from their fleet in putting down Rus
sian opposition in adjacent waters is
meeting with considerable resistance
from the Russian warships.
The German land forces now are
driving hard against the Syorb PENN
sula on the southwestern portion of
the island of Oesel vsth the object of
capturing the batteries of Serel, which
dominate the eastern entrance to the
Gulf of Riga. According to the Berlin
war office, the Russians in this re-
gion are isolated, but are desperately
resisting.
Flanders Still Wet.
The troops OF the Entente Allies are
still keeping to their trenches in Elan
ders, probably awaiting a betterment
Of soil conditions, which the recent
rains and flooded streams rendered
almost impractical for attacks,
Day and night the British and
French guns are showering the Ger
man positions with the usual mass of
steel which is thrown upon them prior
to an attack, while the Germans at
various points, especially in the i'm
portant salient of the Ypres-Staden
railway, are replying vigorously.
No Ground Lost in Exchange.
To the south along the Aisne front.
the Germans after a lively lombard
ment have again attacked the French
and succeeded in penetrating their en-
trenchments. As has been customary,
however, the French Immediately
counter attacked and regained the lost
ground.
There is every indication another
big battle will begin along the Isonzo
front in the AustroItalian o soon
From the head of the Adriatic north.
ward to the BainsiZza Plateau intense
artillery duels are in progress alone
the front lines and against the Austrian
lines of communication in the rear
Considerable activity also is in prog.
ress on the Carso.
Germans Occupy SlaV Island.
P%etrograd, Oct. 16.-German 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 today by the
Russian war office. A%rensburg is on
the southern shore of Oesel island.
The northern group of German war
ships, the statement adds, dispatched
a torpedo boat squadron between the
islands of Oesel and Dago which
pressed back the Russian patrols. Rus
sian naval forces reinforced the pa
troll and accepted battle, w%hereupor
the German ships retired.
Fighting Continues.
Fighting for Oesel island, the wal
office announced, continued all day
yesterday.
A third group of German warships
consisting of cruisers and torpedo
boats, approached the southwest coasI
of Oesel island and bombarded unim
portant parts of the coast. German
submarines were observed at variou;
times and places in the Baltic.
German naval aerial forces are sup
porting the land forces Of the north
: ern and southern sections Of Desc
island.
Further movements Of the German
naval forces into the Gulf of Riga, tn,
J statement says, are covered by tn,
long range artillery of the Russian.
from Oesel island.
, British Still Raiding.
In Flanders the British troops hav,
carried out several successful raids
in which severe casualties were in
flicted on the Germans and prisoner
and machine guns were taken.
After the lapse of two days, tn,
, heavy artillery duels have been re
sumed between the French and Ger
: mans on the Verdun front, especial.
to the north of the famous Hill S44
Also on the Aisne front there is cor
siderable artillery activity.
: Cigarette Stub Causes Big Fire.
Quincy. ILL.,, Oct. 13,-The bushes
) sact;on of To pal1a Mo woe evven n