Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-09-04
RIGA HAS FALLEN
TO THE GERMANS
Retreating Russians Laying the
Country in Waste With
the Torch.
WINTER MAY BLOCK SCHEME
Defenders of Western Bank of
Dvina May Be Caught in
Jaws of Enemy.

Riga. Russa's big port on the gult
OF Riga is in the hands OF the ue,-
mans and its garrison and the civilian
population are In retreat eastward.
Following up the advantage gaineo
in driving the Russians across the
Dvina river on both sides OF Ukskuif
last saturday the Germans threw
bridges across this stream and soon
were on the heels of the former do
tenders. who gave the invaders little
trouble in their march up the eastern
bank of the Dvina toward Riga, 10
miles distant
Seeing the disaffection and the in
ability to stem the tide of the ad-
vance the Russian commander or
dered an evacuation.
Russians in Danger.
With the falling back of the Rus
slams from the city proper and the
advance OF the Germans northward
along both sides of the stream the
| Russians. still defending the western
bank around Dahlen seemingly are in
danger OF being caught between tho
two fast moving bodies OF the enemy
and made prisoners
retreat from Riga are laying the
country In waste. burning villages and
farms. Whether the city itself re-
| mains intact has not yet been made
known, but doubtless the guns in the
fortress and the ammunition stores
| either were moved or destroyed to
prevent them falling into the hands
OF the Germans.
Aside from the strategic value Of
4 N fl.A 0.N1S 81
base nearer the mouth Of the gulf Of
Finland at the head of which Petro-
grad Is situated. or the moment II is
impossible to see the Importance Of
the German gain. especially with the
near approach OF winter when mill
tary operations in this northern reg
lon are almost impossible.
Italians Show Gains.
| Where the Russians will draw their
new line In the north to connect with
that below the point OF penetration by
the Germans also remains to be seen.
| On none OF the other fronts have
ihere been operations OF great mo-
mcnt except In the Austro- Italian from
TIER where the Italians have made
further progress on the Bainsizza
piateou and In tho Brestovizzn valley
ana ~ various points along the limo
| tOufl'tlHItuckS
launched by the Austrlans. Thruout
this entire theater violent artillery
duels are In progress from Tolmno TO
the sea.
Advices to the Italian embassy in
washington state that along the front
or the present offensive the Austria ns
nave lost moro than 12S. O0O men. Re
ports from Udine. Italy, give the Aus
,riah losses as one-thiid Of the first
line army.
Haig Busy Again.
| The batteries of Field Marshal
are still pouring an incessant fire
against the German trenches In Flan-
ders, but as yet the anticipated new
dash to capture them has not started
Doubtless the knocking down of the
dpfcrses has not reached the limits
tie british commander always re-
Quires before he throws his infantry
men into the fray.
on the remainder Of the front in
the west held by the British there
| nave been the usual trench -raiding
! operations. In Cpe % which south OF
| Monchy-le-Pr 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
tie French are facing the Germans.
| n" Infantry actions OF Importance
have occurred.
German air raiders Monday night
again paid visit TO England. the
second time In as many days, drop
ping bombs