Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-09
INFANTRY ACTIONS
MADE IMPOSSIBLE
BY RAINY WEATHER
Territory East of Paschen.
daele-Gheluvelt Ridge
Veritable Bog.
BIG GUNS ON BOTH SIDES
KEEP UP MIGHTY DUEL
German Chancellor Goes to Main
Headquarters Prior to
Reichstag Session.
VISIT MAY BE SIGNIFICANT
Coalition Government to Be Imme.
diately Instituted In Russia
by Agreement.
BIG GUNS ON BOTH SIDES
KEEP UP MIGHTY DUEL
VISIT MAY BE SIGNIFICANT
[By Associated Press.1


Although the sun shons again Nom
day in Flanders. the rain had rendered
the territory east of the Paschendaele-
Gheluvelt ridge veritable bog, maxi
ing infantry actions on large scale
impossible for the present.
There have been, however, a mum.
ber of small actions in the nature Of
trench raids and "Reminiscences, and
the big guns Of both the British and
the Germans are keeping up the
mighty duel virtually without pause.
Likewise on the southern line in
France and In the Austro-Italian
theater only the artillery is active.
On the northern end OF the front In
Russia several attacks by the Germans
on positions In the Riga sector have
been repulsed by tho Russians, who
also took prisoners.
Although 1t had been anticipated that
the main committee Of the German
Reichstag on Monday would discuss
Germany's war aims. the debate was
postponed to Tuesday. Meanwhile, the
imperial Chancellor has gone to main
headquarters, a fact which may be of
some significance. Always prior to the
opening OF debate on important sub
jects In the Reichstag the Chancellor
has visited main headquarters for con-
ferences with Emperor William and
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg.
The imperial Chancellor, DR.. Mich
aelis. Is finding the way as difficult as
1t was for his predecessor. Won Beth
mann Hollweg, and he must now face
the critics of the government in tho
Reichstag Whether. as has been
charged. the bureaucracy and the army
have been furthering the Pan-German
scheme Of annexation and indemnitiea
is expected to be brought out in the
Reichstag debate.
Won STEIN IS JEERED
WHEN HE TRIES TO EXPLAIN
DR.. Michaelis on Saturday sent Min.
lister of the Interior Helfferich before
the Reichstag to make a statement on
his behalf. Helferich failed to mollify
the critical members OF the RetchstaG,
and the sitting was adjourned after
the Vice-Chancellor's speech had been
interrupted. General Won Stein, the
War Minister, was jeered when he at
tempted to explain the armys side OF
the accusation that the high command
was using very strong methods to helm
the Pan-German agitation.
Former Chancellor Won Bethmann-
Hollwcg, some months before his resig-
nation. had test OF strength with Ad-
miral Won Tirpitz, the reputed organ
izer of ruthless submarine warfare. and
the Chancellor won. The admiral since
has been busy and the new Fatherland
party, of which he Is one Of the spon-
sors according to recent reports. has
been very active in opposing the Reich
stag majority declaration for peace
without annexations or indemnities.
1t has now come to test between
tho followers OF Won Tirpitz and the
Pan-Germans on one side. and the ma
Jority Of the Reichstag on the other.
Recent reports have shown that the
toeling between the Pan-Germans and
the Reichstag majority has been be-
coming more intense some Socialist
members OF the Reichstag having gone
far as to charge that the agita-
tion Of the Pan-Germans is dividing the
German people into two camps on tho
question of the aims OF the war.
STRONG GERMAN FORCES
SIGHTED IN BALTIC SEA
Unofficial reports from Stockholm say
strong German naval forces have been
sighted in the Baltic Sea off the Dam
ish and Swedish coasts. bound prob
ably for the Gulf OF Finland for drive
son Helsingfors, Finland and Petro-
grad The Germans are said to be
concentrating large force, including
mine sweepers. seaplanes and trans-
ports, and plan to attack Holsingfora
by land and sea.
The political factions in Russia at
last have come into agreement on
points which have been in dispute be-
tween them and the government over
the forming of a Cabinet, and, 1t Is an
nounced that coalition government
will be Immediately instituted. The
country, however. now Is threatened
with general railway strike. which
was partly put into effect at midnight
Sunday. Notwithstanding a threat that
the men taking part in 1t would be
cha rCcd with treason