The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-25
DRIVE ON ITALY
This Is Reason for Retirement
by TeutOns at Riga.
Germany'S East Front Stripped
to ThinneSt Defense.

London, Oct. 25.-Direct connection
between the German retirement on
the Riga front and the German-waged
Austrian offensive or the Italian
front was seen by observers here to-
day. Germany has now stripped her
lines facing the Russians to the thin
nest point of which they are capable
in order to answer the frantic appeals
of her ally and grant aid against
Italy.
Berlin's customarily sweeping
claims of the success of the Austro-
plateau were not borne out by Italian
dispatches. The latter admitted the
strength of the drive and added that
it was under German direction, with
German troops and German guns and
munitions at the head, but added
nothing supporting the German claim
of thousands of prisoners
Italy Confident of Strength.
Complete confidence was expressed
in the italian defense. In this con-
nection recent dispatches were re-
called detailing how British and
French reinforcements in men, guns
and material were on their way to the
Italian front.
For two months, Vienna has been
clamoring for German aid to ease the
unyielding Italian menace toward
Trieste and Libach. In the face of
success DIOWS against AuSlI4d AlilI-
tary prestige inflicted by Cadorna's
offensive, the peace sentiment has
grown so steadily in the dual empire
as to alarm Emperor Carl and the
German military machine. Evidently
it was felt the only way this could
showing Teutonic strength. There
fore, Germany is diverting some OF
her precious 'n-power and NUM-
lions to the aid of her ally.
Spies Aided Germans.
Petrograd, Oct. 25.-How the Ger
mans were aided in the capture OF
Oesel and Moon Islands in the Gulf OF
Riga by sympathizers there is told by
S. NJ. VishnevSky, commissioner Sent
to observe conditions there and who
escaped in an open boat after the oc-
| cupation. He describes the heroic eff
forts made by the officers to rally
their men and asserts that several OF
them, including General Martinoff
commander of the garrison, commit
ted suicide when the troops sur
rendered.
That the Germans had knowledge
of the conditions on the islands is in.
dicated by the fact that when Aviator
| Safonov brought down a German
| hydro-airplane the dead occupant wa;
found to have complete plans of ex
listing and of proposed Notifications
On the plans were marked places fol
| bombing.
General Martinoffs scouts frequent
! ly observed lanterns flashing from
the shore and upon investigation
| found a deserted cabin with a Ladder
| leading to the roof. Squares of can
vas found lying on the ground wer,
removed but later were replaced b,
a mysterious hand.
Given Two Hours to Surrender.
In an effort to stem the surrendel
| of large bodies of troops, Vishnevsk,
and others pretended to be sendin;
signals to Russian ships bringing help
Instructions were issued by soldier
completes, he says, that those wish
ing to surrender should gather unde
white flags Commander Shfshko o
the Revel battalion of death, it is re
lated. handed his sword to a soldie
saying:
II never will return home. Thos
who can, may save themselves or di
as l." Whereupon he shot himself
The Germans gave two hours in which
to surrender