The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-09-06
RIGA LOSS OPENS
way TO CAPITAL
Germans Obtain New Sea Base
II Baltic.
ITALIANS ADVANCE THEIR LINE
Long hazardous Road to Petrosrad
Now Open to Teuton Armies-in-
tsrmittsnt cannonads at Various
Points on the West Front.


Points on the West Front.
London. Sept. 4.-The possible
eventual ultimate results of the evac-
uation Of Riga by the Russians Is diff
fcult to estimate, but few believe that
the Germans will undertake to pene-
trate to the Russian capital over an
inhospitable road $50 miles in length,
through bleak territory almost impas-
sable for armies, nevertheless the
news IL regarded as serious, for 1t
shows that the Russian army 10 far
from the recovery which has been SO
often predicted.
The abandonment of the city Of
Riga became necessary when through
the instability of Russian regiments,
Dvina river at Uxkull, thus threaten
ing the road to Petrograd from the
southwest, while another army ad-
vanced across the Tirul marshes and
along the shore of the Gulf of Riga
toward the town. The penetration OF
the Russian positions at Uxkull is
similarly likely to make necessary a
Encouragement of part of the re-
naming Russian lines.
The abandonment of the gulf gives
to the Germans another sea base from
which to operate in the Baltic, and
one much nearer the Gulf of Finland.
Its use, however. is limited by ice con-
ditions that will prevail later. while
1t is practically certain that all nus
sian naval vessels will make their es-
cape to the north.
Teutons Cross Dvina.
The German offensive on the Riga
front began by an attack on the Rus
sian Uxkull position following artil-
lery preparation which lasted several
hours. The Russian troops defending
the Dvina river withdrew and the
Germans succeeded In throwing two
bridges across the Dvina and passing
to the eastern bank.
The Russian infantry. In spite Of
the brilliant action Of the artillery.
which destroyed one of the enemy's
bridges, could not stop the German
thrust, and the enemy, taking advant-
age of this, rapidly developed his sue
cess and began an advance northward.
Russian counter attacks against him
were unsuccessful.
The Russo-Roumanian armies are
showing a much firmer resistance OF
the Roumanian front, repelling all the
Teutonic attacks. Several such were
delivered In which the attacking
forces sustained large losses and
gained nothing.
On the Italian front General Ca
dorna, while combining his activities
along the greater part of the line
mainly to pounding the Austrian posi-
lions with his big guns. has effected
a further advance in the district
south Of Gorilla. The Italians here
have made a determined attack and
pushed their lines further east In the
Brestovizza valley.
The Official communication issued
by the Paris war once reads:
There was an intermittent cannon
ade at various points on the front,
more spirited on the left bank Of the
Mouse. In Champagne we carried out
q surprise attack west of the road be-
tween st. Hilaire and st. Soup)st and
brought back prisoners"
German airplanes visited the south
east coast of England during the night
and dropped bonus At various points.
according to oficial statement. No
report Of casualties o. damage was
received.