Arizona republican., 1917-10-17
RUSSIANS STRIVE VALIANTLY ITO PREVENT Pl' i;'i GERMANS FROM DOMINATING GULF OF RIGA
Republican A.P. Leased WireI

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 Apparently there has been no cessa- tion in the rapid program of the Ger mans to seize in it's entirety the Rus sian island of Oesel ;,r the head of the Gulf of Finland But although their troops now have taken the greater portion of the island, the aid they had expected from their fleet in putting down Russian opposition in adjacent waters was meeting with considerable resistance from the Russian warships.
 The Russians are disinclined to throw their naval vessels into a gen eral engagement with the invaders but in a small battle with torpedo craft and possibly light cruisers, the Rus sians have sunk two torpedo beats and damaged two others in Soela Sound, to the north of Desc. island, while the Russians themselves lost a torpedo boat destroyer. The German vessels, which were accompanied by battle ship, put to sea after the engagement.
 The German land forces now are driving hard against the Svorb penin- sula, on the southwestern portion of the island of Oesel, with the object of capturing the batteries at Serel which dominate the eastern entrance to the Gulf of Riga. According to the Berlin war office, the Russians in this region are isolated but are desperately re- sisting.
 Berlin reports also that Arbo island qff the southern coast of Oesel and Runo islands, in the middle of the Gulf of Riga, have oeen occupied by Teutonic troops. It is asserted that 400 prisoners. 30 guns, T machine guns and several aeroplanes were cai.- tured by the Germans in Oesel.
 The troops of the entente allies are still keeping to their trenches in Flanders, probably awaiting better ment of soil conditions. Possibly, however, Field Marshal Haig and the French commander on his left have not sufficiently pounded the German lines with their big guns to warrant the turning loose of the infantry for further gains. Day >nd night the British and French guns are shower ing the German positions with the usual mass of steel and the Germans are replying vigorously.
 To the south along the Aisne front the Germans after a lively lombard ment have again attacked the French and succeeded in penetrating their en- trenchments The French immediately counter attacked and regained the lost ground.
 There IS every indication that shortly along the lsonzo front in the Austro- Italian zone another big battle will begin. From the head of the Adriatic northward to the Bainsizza plateau, intense artillery duels are in progress. Considera ble activity also is in progress on the Carso.
 Aerial raids in force have been re- sumed by British naval aviators n German positions in Belgium The Bruges docks and several airdomes have been successfully bombed.
 PETROGRAD, Oct. 16.-The German landing force on the Russian island of Oesel is developing it's success, the Russian war office announced toGay, and the Teutons are being reinforced with additional troops
 The Germans have instituted an of fensive against the Svorb peninsula, in the southwestern section of the island, with the object of capturing the Rus sian batteries at Seret. The batteries cover the entrance to the Gulf of Riga
 Two German torpedo boats were sunk, two others were damaged and one Russian torpedo boat went to the bottom in an engagement on Sunday in Soela sound north of Oesel island, the official statement announces
 The Russian torpedo craft sunk was the Grom destroyer of HOO tons built in 1914-15, speed 34 knots, complement 93 men.) More than a dozen German torpedo boats had forced their war through Soela sound, supported by a German battleship, when they were l met by the Russians and turned back. The communication says:
 "On the Baltic Sunday at 4 o'clock | p. m. our patrol squadron of Soela sound consisting of four torpedo boats and two gunboats, were shelled by q German dreadnaught. The torpedo | boat Grom was severely damaged. "Following this F and afterward more Germon torpedo boats of the new l est type forced their way through into Saela sound under cover of the German | battleships. Our patrol squadron ac- | cepted battle. The gunboat Khrobry was struck twice and the torpedo boat Grom was under violent fire. Other | torpedo boats covered them energetiic- | ally, engaging the enemy.
 The enemy's fire was principally di- rected on the Khrabry and Grom. All | the guns of the latter vessel were put | out of action. She also was set on fire and big wave cut the hausers With which the Khrabry was towing her. l The Grom sank. A majority of her | crew were saved by the Khrabry. Simultaneously one of the enemy | torpedo boats was sunk by the fire of the Khrabry. Others of our warship then appearing on the scene the enemy ! turned back. The rest of our war 1 ships were only slightly damaged. Il ''The commander of our fleet testi- (Continued on Page Two)