New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-24
Tremendous Sea Battle Is
Forecast by Swedish
Naval Critics
Teutons Ready for
Finland Gulf Drive
Fifteen Enemy Vessels Dis
abled by Russians in
Riga Fighting

LONDON, Oct. pa great naval
struggle in the Baltic between Entente
and German fleets is forecast to-day by
Swedish naval critics. Germany is be-
lieved to be anticipating an attempt by
an Entente feet to force an entrance
into the Baltic In consequence Of the
German successes In the Gulf Of Riga
The military critic of the Stockholm
"Svensks Dagbladet" says that never
since the war began has such a number
OF German destroyers and submarines
been assembled in the neighborhood OF
The Belts, the sounds between the ISL
ands Of Denmark and the waterway be-
tween Sweden and Denmark.
At the same time strong German
naval units are modelling at the en-
trance TO the Gulf Of Finland, appar-
emily for a stroke against Russia
greater than any yet dealt. while fur
Their attempts are being made by the
invaders expeditionary forces to land
troops on Russian soil on the unpro-
tected flank of the Russian northern
armies.
Repealed on Mainland
Following their landing on the Wer-
der Peninsula. on the eastern shore of
Moon Sound, the Germans attempted
Sunday 10 invade the Esthonian main
land near Moisekull Manor, eight miles
10 the north, where transports loaded
with horses and troops had been OBJ
served the day before. The Russian de-
tachments defending the coast succeed
ed in repelling the enemy, however, &C
cordng TO the Russian War Office. The
landing of the Germans near Werder
is regarded in Russian quarters only as
a military demonstration TO cover up
an invasion on the coast Of the Gulf OF
Riga, probably between Pernsu and
Hainasch.
On the northern battle front the
Germans are still retiring. North of
Riga the Russians occupied several
lines of trenches eva .uated by the enc
my in the Skull, Hindenburg Manor
and Lemberg area. This movement
also is believed to be a skilful man9-
vre to draw the Russian troops nearer
Riga, with the intention Of attacking
them from the rear
The total number Of prisoners taken
by the Germans in their operations
was 20,l30. Berlin announces. More
than one hundred guns were taken,
thousands of horses and vehicles, ten
airplanes and three chests. containing
$4,000 rubles.
The Russian naval review Is as fol-
lows:
"As the naval operations in the Bal
tic isles have now ended, il is posi-
Bile to review them. The task of our
fleet in this region. was, with the or
gained position of Moon Sound as a
base, to prevent enemy attempts to
seize the Gulf of Riga and Moon
Sound. SO long as the German feet
employed in such an operation only
elements of minor Importance, as IL
1915, namely, two dreadnoughts. our
naval forces could cope with them.
Used Most of Fleet
an the recent operations the enemy
employed the major part of his feet,
and his overwhelming superiority en-
abled him to carry out debarkation
rapidly and successfully. Our feet
only was able TO do its best TO hinder
these efforts and to infict maximum
losses. With this object we delivered
series of attacks, using all the naval
resources in our possession.
"As result of these operations the
enemy lost through mines. submarine
attacks and artillery fire two dread
noughts, one cruiser, twelve torpedo
boats, one transport and numerous
mine sweepers, all of which were put
ont of action. Their ultimate fate is
unknown.
Eve have established the actual loss
only Of six enemy torpedo boats. two
of which were Of the small type and
were sunk by gunfre from our position
on Moon Island The other torpedo
boats were sunk in combats or blown
nm bv mines. The wreck OF the tor
pedo boat T-69 is visible on a sand
bank in Kassar Bay. Further, our
coast batteries sank four enemy tor
| pedo boats. -,
Our losses are the ship OF the line
Slava and large torpedo boat de s
stroyer of the Grom type. Inc en-
cheney of our other ships has been
maintained completely"
/ After his return from Constantine
pie Emperor William telegraphed to
I Prince Leopold of Bavaria, commander
on the northern front in Russia. ms
own and the Fatherland's thanks lot
the successes achieved by his well
tried troops in capturing Oesel. Moon
and Dago islands in cooperation with
/ the navy.
with swift blows and excellently
supported by artillery. pioneers ana
bomb throwers, the enemy's resistance
was broken everywhere by your brave
infantry and cyclists" the telegram
says. "Ihe rapid carrying out OF the
operations is due 10 their gallantry
and dash" -
The Emperor also sent congratula-
tions to the chief of the Admiralty
staff, describing the naval operations
as fresh proof OF the preparedness
/ of my navy