The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-04
Summary of Outstanding
 Developments in News From Various War Fronts
By Associated Press


 Riga, Russia's big port on the Gulf of Riga, Is in the hands of the Germans and its garrison and the civilian population are In re- treat eastward Following up rap- idly the adyantngc they gained In driving the Russians across the Dvina river on both sides of UxkuH last Saturday, the Germans threw bridges across this stream and soon were on the heels of the for mer defenders, some of whom of-
 fered resistance, burt others of whom showed the white feather, giving the invaders no trouble in marching up the eastern bank Of the Dvina toward Riga, 15 miles
 distant. Seeing the disaffection and the inability to stem the tide of the advance, the Russian cOm- mander ordered an evacuation.
 With the falling back of the Rus sians from the city proper and the advance of the Germans northward along both sides of the stream, the Russians still defending the western bank around Dahlen seemingly are in danger of being caught between the and made prisoner
 LAYING COUNTRY IN WASTE Behind them the Russians in their retreat from Riga are laying the coun- try in waste, burning villages and farms. Whether the city itself remains intact has not yet been made known. but doubtless the guns in the fortress and the ammunition stores either were moved or destroyed to prevent them falling into the hands of ths Germans.
 WHAT HAS GERMANY GAINED?
 Aside from the strategic value
 of controlling the Gulf of Riga and
 of base nearer the mouth of the
 Gulf of Finland. nt the head of
 which Petrograd is situated, for
 the moment 1t Is impossible to see
 the importance of the German
 gain, especially with the near ap-
 proach of winter, when military
 operations in this northern region
 are almost impossible. Where the
 Russians will draw their new line
 In the north to connect with that
 below the point of penetration by
 seen.
 ON OTHER FRONTS
 On none of the other fronts have there been operations of great moment, except that the Italians have made further progress on the Bainsizza plateau and in the Brestovizza valley and at various points along the line have repulsed fresh counter attacks launched by the Austrians. Through out this entire theatre violent artil lery duels are in progress from Tol mino to the sea.
 Advices to the Italian embassy in Washington are to the effect that along the front of the present of. fensive the Austrians have lost more than 12S,000 men. Reports from Udine, Italy, give the Austrian losses as one third of the first line army
 HAIG'S GUNS STILL ACTIVE
 The batteries of Field Marshal Hais are still pouring an incessant fire against the German trenches in Fland CTS, but as vet the anticipated new dash by his men to capture them has not started. DouDtlesS the knocking down of the defenses has not reached the limits which the British command CT always requires before he throws his infantrynen into the fray The remainder of the front in the west held by the British there have been the usual trench raiding oper ations. in one of which south of Monchy-L -Le Preux German dusouts and machine guns were destroyed and some prisoners taken.
 Artillery duels. which are somewhat violent in the verdun region, are talk ing place along the front where tha French are facing the Germans. No in fantry actions of importance have oc cured.
 again paid visit to England. the sec, ond time in as many days, droppins bombs.