The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-10-13
RUSSIAN ARMIES
ARE DISORGANIZED
Expedition May Be Under
taken Despite Lateness
Of The Season
FLANDERS Is ONE
GREAT SEA OF MUD
Both Attacks and Counter
Attacks Have Been Halt
l. ed By Heavy Rains


(Associated Press War Summary
While the British offensive has
come TO a momentary pause. with
the gains made yesterday everywhere
held. a situation latent with big
possibilities has developed on the
Russian front.
The landing Of German troops on
the islands of Oesel and Dago, at the
mouth Of the Gulf OF Riga, is report
ed today from Petrograd. From the
shores edge at Hapsal, opposite Daeo
island, a railway line runs direct to
Reval, the Russian naval base on the
Gulf of Finland, and thence on 10
Petrograd.
The islands in question have them
selves been bases of no little import
ance to the Russians. especially tor
airplane activities. Their seizure
would undoubtedly hamper Russian
naval scouting work, effectually closs
the Gulf of Riga to Russian use and
apparently offer an excellent start
ing point fOr land expedition for
RetrogFad ifs'one should be contenl4
plated by the German command.
The lateness OF the season has
seemed 70 preclude any attempt By
the TeutOns to make a drive toward
Petrograd this year II has been
pointed out, however. that such a
move probably could be carried out
with comparative ease at present
with the Russian armies I'm their
admittedly disorganized state. where
as, next spring there lis governmental
promise of Russian military re-
generation after a winters organiz-
ing work along new lines.
In Flanders the heavy rain which
stopped Field Marshal Haig's drive
yesterday before all the detectives
were attained, was continuing to-
day. increasing the depth OF rsre
sticky mud through which the Brlt-
ish have been struggling in their ad-
vances. The mud evidently was
hampering the Germans equally, fnr
they failed 20 deliver a counter at
tack during the night.
The German crown prince made
several attacks last night on French
positions on the Aisne front. but ali
the assaults were repulsed
Germans in Gulf of Riga.
London. Oct 13.-The Germans
have landed troops on the Islands of
Oesel and Dago in the Gulf of RiEa,
according to a Reuter- dispatch from
Petrograd.
Oesel and Dago islands are at the
entrance to the Gulf OF Riga and
provide easy access to the mainland
over small intermediate islands.
Dago island is about 200 miles
from Petrograd. It's position derives
additional importance from the fact
that IL Is almost at the mouth OF
the Gulf Of Finland, at the head OF
which is Kronstadt, which defends
Petrograd. .=s
Oesel island Is nearly 100 miles
north Of Riga, which the Germans
captured recently. The landing of
German troops in the provinces of
Esthonia, which is near the ISLANDS,
would threaten the outfianking of
the Russian line and probably com
pei retreat on a wide section OF
the front IL indeed IL did not open
the way to Petrograd itself "
A railway line follows tile coast aN
the way from Hapsal, opposite Dako
island. to Petrograd.
Oesel island, the larger OF the tive,
is 45 miles long and haa an area. oe
i,0I0 square miles and a populauo6
of about 10000. II has a dififcuIt
coast line in the form Of limestone
cliffs.
Quiet on British Front.
London, Oct 13.-There was a
heavy rain throughout the ntsdk
which is still continuing, says todaYB
Official statement.
mo counter attacks BY the enemy
have developed thus far on the battle
front. On the rest OF the British froms
there is nothing to report.
German Assaults Repulsed.
Paris, Oct 1S.-German forces last
night made several attacks on tae
French positions north OF the rivef
Aisne. The official statement issued
this afternoon by the FEench waf
oce says that all the assaults were
repulsed
Admit British Gains.
Berlin, Oct. 13.-The British gains
in Flanders yesterday amounted alto
gether to about one and one NTH
kllometers AT two points where tne
German lines were broken into the
war ONCE announces. The bfltieh
are said to have suffered heavily.
Petrograd. Oct. Is.-Ihe Germans
are working stubbornly to clear sre
Entrance rs the Gulf of Riga n
Courland. says today's official ssfa
ment. The activities Of the enemy in
landing forces were rendered 4sg
Guilty by 1nolea constructed p4 fE
Russians and By bad visibility Ih
garrison OF Oesel island ie HtAN
German forces which landed.