New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-04
Teutons Cross the Dvina
and Close In on
the City
Mutiny Weakened
Defending Ranks
Victory Gives Kaiser I'M
portant Base for Baltic
Operations

LONDON. Sept. 3.-Rigs. Russiss
great port on the Baltic, has been
captured by the Germans. Under threat
Of an offensive by land and sea and
imperilled by the voluntary withdrawal
Of several detachments Of the army,
the Livonian capital and the region.
nearby were ordered evacuated and the
Russian troops retired 20 the north.
The Russian War Office tonight ad-
mitted the withdrawal OF the Russian
forces from the entire fortified district
Of Riga, including the city itself The
entrance Of German troops into the
city was reported by the Berlin War
Office soon afterward.
Whether the Russians offered any
resistance 10 the capture of the city is
not clear from the statements. Dis
patches from Petrograd correspondents
to-day said that the Germans lombard
ed the port with heavy artillery before
entering II.
A panic is said to have been preeipi-
tated in the city by the sudden invest
ment, the civilians and the garrison
fleeing in disorder TO the north. II Is
believed, however, that the guns and
the ammunition stores in the tortressa
we're either destroyed or removed be.
fore the Germans entered the city.
The fate Of Riga was sealed when
German troops forced crossing e.
the Dvina River. southeast Of the city
on Sunday, and. after strengthening
their foothold on the northern bank,
began a thrust northwsrd TO outfan(
the port. which was also menaced BY
, German forces moving forward from
Mitau and by naval units in the Gulf
of Riga.
Long Feared Attack
Six months ago Russian officers
were in momentsry expectation Of an
attack on Riga. but the German Gen
eral staff postponed the offensive,
probably because by diplomacy they
hoped to eliminate Russia as a mill
tary factor. .
The present thrust may be part Of
an ambitious programme TO take Petro-
grad, but the 800 miles between Riga
and the capital represent serious
physical undertaking. even II Russia
could interpose no troops. The bleak
stretch of territory north OF Riga is
traverse6 By VIDE marshes and lakes
and is regarded as almost impossible
for an army.
The great advantage accrulng TO the
Germans through the capture of Riga
is naval, rather than military. The
abandonment Of the Gulf gives them
another sea base rom which 20 oper-
ate in the Baltic and the Gulf Of Fin
land. II also deprives the Russians
Of firm anchorage for their right
flank, which may compel the realign-
ment of their battle front for a con-
siderable distance.
Population Half German
Coming at a time when the Hohen-
zollerns were badly in need of sue
cess, its moral effect on the German
people is bound TO be considerable. IL
is an especially nice plum because al
most half of its 100000 inhabitants
are Germans. As a commercial and
industrial centre only Petrograd and
4 Odessa outrank II. Once before In
/ this war the Germans tried TO take
| the city, Hindenburg closing his great
campaign Of 1915 with determined
attempt TO break the line Of the Dyins
below the city, but being checked BY
} the advent of winter.
The Russian official statement indi. /.
Gates that the instability of the Rus
! sian troops had an important influences
| upon the decision TO withdraw from
the Riga district 40 speedily. As was
| the case IN Galicia. some Of the Rus
sian units imperlled the rest of the
army by quitting their trenches. This
detection permitted the enemy 70
make good his crossing Of the Dvins
| on both sides Of Uskull and TO prose.
cute his advance 20 the north.
Russians Make Stand
The Russian infantry. we'll support
ed by the artillery, made a desperate
stand on the northern bank, but were
unable 10 check the enemy's advance.
I To the west Of Riga, under strong al
/ tacks from the German forces driving
northward over the Tirul marshes, the
Russians at the same time withdrew
to the northward on their extreme
right flank, leaving the way open for
[ the capture Of the city
I Berlin reports dense masses OF Rus
: sian troops in haSty retreat along the
roads leading out Of Riga, burning viii
/ lagos and farms in their path.
/ On the Rumanian front the Russo
| RumanIan armies are showing a irmer
| resistance TO the enemy's attacks, sew
eral Of which were hurled back yester-
| day with severe losses 20 the Teutons
! Two hundred additional prisoners wets
/ taken bv the Germans, however, bring.
/ ing their total captures IN this region
/ IN the last week up 20 $50 men, TO-
! rother with siX cannon and sixty ma