The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-09-04


Riga, Russia's big port on the gulf
of Riga is in the hands Of the Ger
mans and it's garrison and the civilian
population are In retreat eastward.
Following nr rapidly the advantage
they gained IN driving the Russians
across the nvlnn river ON both sides of
TXkull last SATURDAY.. the t;errnans
threw bridges across this stream and
soon were on the heels Of the former
defenders, some of wlsm offered re-
sistance, but others OF whom showed
the white feather, giving the invaders
NO trouble IN marching np the east
crn bark Of the DviNa toward Riga.
Ii miles distant, Seeing the disaffcc-
tion and thn inahiity to stem tho tide
of The advance. the Rnssian command.
rr ordered an oNacuation
Russian Army in Danger,
With the falling back Of the Rus-
slams from the city proper ana the ad
vance Of the Germans nafshWafd along
both sides of the stream. the Russians.
still defending the western bank
around nahlen. seemingly arc in dan
ger of being caught between the two
fast moving bodies of the enemy and
made prisoner.
Behind them the Russians in their
retreat from Riga are laying the coun-
try in waste, burning villages and
farms. Whether the city itself remains
intact hns not yet been made known.
but doubtless the guns IN the fortress
and the ammunition stores either were
moved or destroyed tn prevent them
falling into the hands of the Germans.
Think Gain Of Little Importance
Aside from the strategic value of
controlling the Gulf OF RIGA and of a
base nearer the mouth Of the gulf Of
Finland al the head of which Pctro-
grad is situated for tho moment IL ~
impossible 10 see the Importance or
the German gain especially with the
near approach ri winter. when mill
tnry operations in this northern re
Pion are almost impossible.
Italian Activity Goes On
ON none Of the other fronts have
there been operations Of great moment.
except in the Austro- Italian theater,
where the Italians have made further
progress on the Ransizza plateau and
in the Brestnvizza valley and at va
rious points along the line have re
pulsed fresh counter attacks launched
by the Aostrians Throughout this
entire rheater violent artillery duels
are in progress from Tolmino to the
sea.
AdyiCcS TO tho Italian embassy in
Washington are TO the effect that
along the front of the present often
sIvc the Anstrians have lost more than
l2S.o0o men. Reports from Cdne,
Italy, give the Austrian losses as ono
'hHd Of the first line army.
British Guns Roaring.
The batteries of Field Marshal Haig
are Still pouring an tncessant fire
against the German trenches in Flan-
ders. but as yet the anticipated new
dash by his men to capture them has
not started. Doubtless the knocking
down of the defenses has not reached
the limits which the British command
or always requires before he throws
his infantrymen into the fray.
ON the remainder of the front in the
west held by the British there have
been the usual trench raiding opera
tions, in one OF which south of
Monchys-ie- Preux German dugouts and
machine guns were destroyed and some
prisoners taken.
Artillery duels, which are somewhat
violent in the Verdun region are taking
place along the front, where the
French are facing the Germans. No
, infantry actions of importance have
occurred.
German mir raiders Monday night
paid visit to England, the second
time in as many days, dropping bombs,