Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-07
| GERMAN WARSH|PS
| OFF ENTRANCE TO
GULF OF Finland
Safety of Fleeing Russian
Armies, as Well as Naval
Forces, Menaced.
EFFORT MAY BE MADE
TO BOTTLE UP FLEET
Teutons Still Pressing Slavs in
Their Retreat From
Riga Region.
ITALIANS NTINUE GAINS
Front in France and Belgium Vir.
tually Quiet, Except for
Artillery Duels.
ITALIANS CONTINUE GAINS
Front in France and Belgium Vir-
tuaily Quiet, Except for /:
Artillery Duels.
IBy Associated p,e,.,

The Russian and Austro-Italian thea.
ters continue the centers of interest in
the world war. In the former the Ger
mans are still pressing the Russian.
In their retreat from the Riga region;
In the latter the forces of General
Cardona continue to harass the Aus
trians. but with the enemy Offering
stout resistance on the major sectors
north and northeast OF Gorilla and
along the Carso Plateau
With the Russian front already
broken over n distance of about forty
Ave miles between Riga and Fried
richstadt, the province OF Livonia Is
fast being overrun by the Germans:
Everywhere the enemy Is pressing the
retreatinG Russians. among whom the
disaffection that permitted the easy
taking of Riga daily becomes more
apparent.
Although the Russians have fallen
back with great speed all along the
line. 1t seems evident that they have
not been put to rout. and that the loyal
troops are fighting splendid rear guard
actions. This seemingly is borne out
by the fact that the German bag OF
prisoners thus FAR has been less than
5000 and their capture in guns only
$50.
MAY BE PREPARING
FOR SALLY INTO GULF
An added menace to the situation OF
the Russians is an official report that y
German fleet Is maneuverins ct the
entrance to the Gulf Of Finland. II
true. this might indicate that the Ger,
mans are preparing for a sally into
the gulf. with the object Of attacking
Reval. the fortified seaport in the gov-
ernment OF Esthonia. and bottling up
the Russial ships inside the gulf; or
even OF proceeding after the Russian
neet. aid attempting to destroy It,
which accomplished. would leave kron-
stadt and Petrograd virtually at the
mercy OF the enemy's guns.
With the appearance OF a German
fleet in the Gulf of Riga. the difficult
ties OF the problem facing the Russians
in the operations OF their northern front
are accentuated. Not only Is tho
safety of their armies concerned. but
apprehensions are excited as to what
will happen to the Russian fleet, If the
German naval forces are given full
swing in the Baltic. Only submarines
so far are operating against the RUS
sian right flank as it fell back along
the Gulf of Riga coast. The warshipS
now bid fair to take part In the actt-
vities. increasing the troubles of the
Russians in the task of keeping their
is nks protected.
NAVAL OPERATIONS
WAIT ON LAND BATTLE
AS to actual operations against the
Russian fleet. 1t does not appear to ba
expected that they will develop until
the land campaign has progressed fur
ther. and It is seen what success the
Russians will have In their effort to
mako a stand on a new line. More.
over. 1t is a long way over land to
Reval. where the Russian warships arc
congregated. The Riga Gulf. however.
would offer a favorable base for purely
naval operations against Reval.
The Italian commanderi in chief. Cen
eral Cardona continues his reticence
concerning the operations he has In
view against the Austrians. his latest
communicate nmerely announcing the
continuation of the heavy fighting
northeast of Gorilla and the repulse on
the Carso plateau, south Of the Brest-
ovizza Valley, of strong Austrian coun-
terattacks. From an Austrian War
Office statement. however, the situa-
tion regarding Mont San Gabrielle.
which was reported unofficially We'd
nesday to have been taken by the Italy
ians, has been clarified. This eminence,
the last point in the Austrian line DOM
mating Gorilla. did fall into the hands
of the Italians. but the Austrians, In
violent counterattacks. reoccupied 1t.
Several times since the position has
changed hands, and at last accounts
the Austrians were still in possession.
but with the Italians lighting valiantly
to take it.
coUNTERATTACKs THROWN
AGAINST ITALIAN FRONT
On the Carso plateau, south OF the
Brestovizza Valley. where Bavarian
troops appealed for by the Austrians
doubtless have re-enforced the Aus
tran line. counterattacks OF great
strength have been thrown. but unsuc-
cessfully. against the Italian front
Italian airmen have effectively bom-
tarded Hermada Heights. the key to
Trieste. which is In the hands OF the
Austrians.
The western front in France and
Belgium remains virtually quiet, sx-
cept for artillery duels on numerous
sectors. trench raiding operations,
aerial raids and fights in the air be-.
tween opposing aviators.
A renewal OF activity on the Mace x
donian front Is recorded in the latest 4
French official communication. but this
also Is being carried out to large
extent by the artillery. Tho duels are
particularly spirited on both sides OF
tho YardAr Rlver, whore the British