Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-10-17
Russians Are Victors in Small Sea Battle in
 Riga Gulf.
ENGLISH AYIATORS
 RAID BEL GUM
Germans Win From French but Conn. ter Attack Ergains Lost Ground Big Battle Expected Re.
 tween Two Countries.
Associated Press Summary.)

lASSOCldIeu ffeSS summary
 Apparently there has been no ces- sation in the rapid program of the Germans to seize in it's entirety the Russian island of Oesel, at the head of the Gulf of Finland. but although their troops now have taken the great CT portion of the islands, the aid they have expected from their fleet in put ting down Russian opposition in ad- jacent waters is meeting with consid- erable resistance from the Russian warships.
 The Russians are disnclned to throw their naval vessels into a gen. eral engagement with the invaders, fearing the superiority of the Germans would result in losses to them which would leave open a pthway through the Gulf of Finland up to Petrograd, but in small battle with torpedo craft and possibly light cruisers, tho Russians have sunk two German tor pedo boats and damaged several cruis- CTS in Soea sound, north of Oesel island. While the Russians them selves lost torpedo destroyer. The German vessels which wera acompan- jed by a battleshib put to sea after the battle.
 Russians Desperately Resisting. German land forces are striving hard against the Sword peninsula On the southwestern portion of the island of Oesel with the object of capturing the batteries at Serel, wh.ea iorni- nate the eastern entrance to the gulf of Riga According 70 the Berlin war office, the Russians in this region are isolated, but are desperately resisting. Berlin reports, also, that Abro islands on the southern coast of Oesel and Runo island in the middle of the gulf of Riga have been occupied by Teutonc troops. It is asserted that guns and several airplanes were cap- tured by the Germans n Oesel.
 Allies Keep Trenches.
 The troops of che entente allies are still keeping to their trenches in Flanders awaiting a be.ternent of soil conditions, for recent rains have flooded streams, rendering it almost impracticable for attack. Possibly, however Field Marshal Haig and the French commander on his left have not yet sufficiently pounded the Ger man lines with their big guns to war rant the turning loose of the infantry for further gains. Day and night the British and French guns are shower ing the Germans positions with the usual mass of steel which is thrown upon them prior to an attack. While the Germans at various points, especl- ally in the important salient of the Ypres- -Staden railway are replying viciously.
 The Aisne Front.
 To the south along the Aisne front, the Germans after lively lombard ment have again attacked the French and succeeded in penetrating their en- trenchments. As is customary, how ever. the French counter attacked and regained the lost ground.
 Little fighting of great intensity, except by the artillery of the oppos- ing forces, is taking place in any part of the war theatre. but there is every evidence that shortly in the 1sonzo the Austrians and Italians will engage in another big battle.
 British AviatOrs at Work. From the head of the Adriactic northward to the Dainsizza plato heavy artillery duels are in progress along the front line and against the Aus trian line of communication in the rear. Considerable activity also is in progress on the Plozo. Aerial raids in force have been resumed by Brit | ish aviators in Belgian territory. Brnges stocks and several airdomes have been successfully bombed.