Middletown transcript., 1917-10-27
attacks and slowly giving ground De-

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attacks and slowly giving ground be-
fore the British and French. the lana
and sea forces of the empire did strike
at Russia what, considered superficial
ly, might be thought to be serious
blow. But the operations in the Bal
tic cannot be considered Of prime I'M
portance in determining the outcome
of the war. They did, however, induce
the Russians to begin moving theif
seat of government to Moscow.
Troops landed on the Island OF
Oesel, supported by the fleet, have sue
ceeded in capturing or driving OH the
garrison, which resisted stoutiy' anu
the kaiser's warships are pushing pack
the Russian naval forces toward the
Gulf of Finland. In the sea fighting
both sides lost several vessels. Inc
Russian fleet fought well but was hope
lessly outclassed in strength. The Ger-
mans made aerial attacks on Pernau,
and it was reported that they were at
tempting to gain footing on the main
land. At last reports both sides were
hurrying up strong naval re-enrorce-
ments. The real objective OF the Ger
man high command is not revealed,
but it does not seem probable Won Hin
denburg. who is directing the opera
tions in person, will attempt to capture
and hold Petrograd. That would mean
q perilous extension Of his lines IN
view of the fact that winter is at hand.
South of Riga the Russian artillery
prevented the Germans from throwing
bridges across the Dvina.
Trying to Hold His Allies.
Increasing signs Of breakup of the
alliance Of the central powers prob
ably sent the kaiser on his trip to the
near East. First he jollied the Bull
garians, who, like the Austrians, are
sick of the war; and it was significant
that Emperor Charles grasped pun!
excuse not to accompany his overbear
ing ally. Then William ran down tt
Constantinople, where, Turkish girls
streIed flowers in his path and he ant
the sultan exchanged decorations. Ii
the kaiser can hold his coalition to
gether much longer, it will be because
the allies do not make sufficiently at
tractive separate peace suggestions tt
Austria-H Hungary, Bulgaria and Tur
key.
AS was expected, the opponents o
Chancellor Michaelis were quick t
take advantage of the Wilhelmshavel
naval revolt incident. The Socialist
now present q united front against hin
and have decided to vote against tn
war credit Of $2,500,000,O00 at the De
cenber session of the reichstag unles
he resigns. Foreign Secretary vc
Kuehlmann or Prince Won Bulow
said to be his probable successor
though the war party still fears Coun
Won Bernstorff may be appointed. l
the effort to save himself Michael
offered Friedrich Won Payer the pos
of chancellor, displaying readiness
throw overheard Doctor Helfferich an
: also Minister of Marine Won Capell'
There are rumors that Michaelis
contemplating the establishment OF
military dictatorship.
On the West Front.
In Flanders the British practical
completed their occupation of the in
= portant Passchendaele ridge and tt
, Germans were observed to be hurried
ly building long dam for the purpos
D of flooding the low land east of tt
y ridge. Meanwhile the French on tt
i left flank of the British steadily Wi
t ened the base of the wedge that is b
n ing driven in between the Germa
7 armies and the Belgian coast. The
e lied aviators made many raids ar
dropped vast quantities Of explosiv'
S on German military establishment
# with destructive results. The Germ;
S airmen were not idle, but their ma
e raid was made on Nancy, where null
IS Der of civilians were killed.
d The British government on Tuesd'
d announced formally, through Bon
l. Law. chancellor of the eXcheQuer, tn
v reprisals would be made for the &c
l. man raids over London and other u
" fortified places. German towns, n
ic LAW Sellu, Will Dc oO Ieii
d military needs will release the nect
re sary machines. The threat may be 81
ficient to check the barbarity of t
y Germans in this respect.
b. Realizing the danger OF n collap
ut of the Austrian forces that are opp6
d. ing the advance of the Italians, Il
IN central powers have withdrawn
n least forty divisions from the Russi;
front and hurried them to the resc
Of the defenders Of Trieste. Lar
to numbers of German. Bulgarian al
n Turkish troops are now on the tall
y front. Captured Austrian officers,
n Is said, freely admit the alarm II
lg by the Teutons over the situation
as that region.
I'd Wilson's New Blow at Germany.
MT Determined that Germany and its
r. lies shall not benefit from the ira