New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-05
Germans Strive to Cut Off
Russians Fleeing From Riga
Warships, Sweeping Gulf Coast, Pour Shells Into Re
treating Forces-Teutons Apparently Plan
ming Grand Offensive Against Petrograd

LONDON, Sept. 4.-From Riga to the
east OF Uskul the Russians were in
full retreat to-day before the Germans,
pursued by shells from the enemy's
heavy guns in the rear and from Ger
man naval forces operating along the
coast Of the Gulf of Riga.
Berlin announces tonight that the
Russians have been thrown back across
the Aa River in Livonia, which means
that the retreating forces already are
some ten miles north OF the evacuated
city on the extreme right wing.
There were indications tonight that
the Germans are making great efforts
TO cut of the retreat of the Riga army
by landing troops on the coast, and
that they are rapidly clearing the way
for a joint land and sea offensive
against Petrogrsd.
For a distance of eighty miles north
of Riga German warships are pouring
shells into the coast towns. At the same
time other naval units are reported
sweeping the Riga and Finland CULTS
clear of mines, preparatory to naval
attack 10 assist General Won Beseler's
land advance.
The first objective of the Germans in
such an operation probably would be
Reval, Russia's chief port on the Gulf
of Finland. The capture of this city by
German naval forces would menace Sc
riously the thousands of Russian
troops now in retreat from the line OF
the Dvina, and would give the Germans
an opportunity to bottle up the Russian
feet inside the gulf.
N hpthpr the German staff COnteTn-
plptes such an ambitious campaign, as
yet there is little indication, but events
are swiftly moving toward point
where il may be made possible.
Fall of Reval Expected
Colonel Shumsky, military critic OF
the "Bourse Gazette" in an article in
to-nights Westminster Gazette" says
there is no serious menace 10 Petro-
grad because the attack has come too
late in the season. He estimates that
it would require two months 10 move a
sufficiently large German army from
Riga TO PetroCTad, even if no military
obstacle interpoSed. He considers
Petrograd safe AZ least for this winter,
as be believes Germany cannot afford
TO weaken her line in the west enough
TO gain troops for a joint land and sea
operation against the Russian capital.
He believes, however, the Germans may
reach Reval before winter halts them.
The Russians are retreatIng in two
groups those from the evacuated port
making their way northeastward along
the coast, and those from the vicinity
of USkull striking for the Riga PSkott-
Petrograd railway. They are leaving a
smouldering trail of ruined villages
and farms, in the hope of impeding the
pursuit of the enemy.
Supplementary reports indicate that
the task of capturing Riga was not diff
fcult for the Germans, the bulk Of the
Russian forces Withdrawing without Of
fering resistance. Some attachments
of loyal Russian troops held them
back long enough, however, to blow up
the fortifications at the mouth OF the
Dvna and destroy the bridges over the
river This opposition came from the
west and southwest OF the city, and the
Germans were forced TO loose their
heaviest shells and deadliest gas waves
against the positions of the defenders
before they broke through into the
town. At the same I le scores OF Ger
man seroplsnes and warships partici-
pated in the attack on the beleaguered
fortress. which for hours was Under
constant bombardment
The Munich "Neueste Nachrichten'
says tonight that large Japanese
force is concentrated on the Manchu-