The sun., 1917-10-14
GERMANS LAND
ARMY FOR DRIVE
ON PETROGRAD
Troops Now Occupy Oesel
and Dago Islands in the
Gulf of Riga.
FLEET PROTECTS THEM
Russians Say All Precautions
Have Been Taken to Save
Capital.

LONDON. Oct 13.--Under cover OF the
guns Of German dreadnoughts and in
spite Of spirited resistance by the Rus
sian garrisons Gefman troops in force
have been landed on Oesel and Dago
islands. practically completing tho con-
quest Of the Gulf Of Riga and forming
a direct menace to Petrograd.
\ drive for the Russian capital now
| Is considered strong proba bility. as
the difficulties of a winter campaign
under the present disorganized state OF
the Russian army probably would be
less than an advance next spring. when
the fighting forces Of the new republic
may be on more efficient basis.
The action constitutes Germany's
most striking military move since the
capture OF the city Of Riga. Although
holding the port the gulf and outlying
territory had continued Russian ground
The Islands at its mouth and the shores
on either side served as naval and
airplane bases from which to harry the
! invaders
Germans Landed skilfully.
! The landing seems to have been
carried out skilfully and without any
serious check to the Germans. Units
Of the German high seas fleet. which
for some weeks have been reported in
this vicinity. came into action and ST.
fenced the short batteries. Both Oesel
Island and Dago. Island, which lies Just
/ to the north. had considerable garrisons
and defensive works. but apparently
these proved ineffective against tho big
Teuton naval guns.
| The invaders chose the Gulf Of Taga
lah on the north shore OF OeseI,
and the village Of Serro. on the southern
coast OF Dago Island. as their objec-
tives. The points are almost oppos te
and TIE distance between is so small
that German dreadnoughts could deliver
oroadsides against each while steamng
through the channel separating the
islands
Apparently the Russians still hold
Moon island. small body Of land to
the east Of Oesel Island and practically
oottllng up the approaches to the Gull
OF Riga on this side. However, the Ger.
mans are perfiously near TO Hapsal, or
the eastern mainland. IL they do not al.
ready hold this town. From Hapsal a
direct railway line runs to Reval, the
Russian naval base on the Gulf of Fin.
land. and thence onward to Petrograd
Hapsal is approximately 275 miles from
Petrograd.
Big Sea Fight IL Possible.
The islands upon which the enemy ha,
landed form part Of the Province OF
/. Esthonia. Operations on the MAINLAND
would threaten the Russian line in II.
new positions near Riga and might force
general retirement. The Russian.
probably still rely upon Moon Island, &
small and strongly fortified body of lane
just to the east of Oesel Island Their,
, also is presumed to be "A considerabl,
, Russian fleet in the immediate vicinity
and the probability of naval operation.
on grand scale is strong.
Official announcement from Petrogras
says all measures have been takei
against the invaders.
, The Germans now hold all Of Cour
land. a slice of Livon!a and have a dom
mating position in Esthonia. In thei
, present position, even II they attempt n,
. further advance. they will form a con
, stant threat to the northern Russian
army.