New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-07
Capital Considered in War
Zone; Troops Plan
Defence
Warships Threaten
Reval and Kronstadt
Muscovites Lose 1870 Guns
and Vast Supplies in Re-
treat to New Line

LONDON, Sept. 6.-While the Ger.
man army, racing against the coming
rains which will check its advance, Is
pouring through the forty-five mile
breach made in the Russian front be
tween Riga and Friedrich stadt. Ger
man fleet is assembling at the en-
trance to the Gulf of Finland for at
tscks on Reval and Kronstadt, Rus
sian naval bases.
Revel lies on the Esthonisn coast,
some forty miles inside the Gulf OF
Finland. The nsrrowest point Of the
gulf at its western end is that between
Revel and Helsingfors, the Finnish
port, from which emsnates the report
Of German naval activities. The Ger
man feet may be planning a dash for
Reval and the subsequent bottling up
of the Russian feet, or German ambition
may go even further and contemplate
& joint land and sea attack which would
leave Kronstsdt and Petrograd virtu-
ally at the mercy of the enemy's guns.
Menace TO Fleeing Russians
At any rate, the presence OF the
German feet off the coast of Liyonis
and Esthonia constitutes an added
menace to the retreating Russian
forces, which now are in imminent
danger of flank or rear attack by
units landed from the warships of the
enemy. So far only submarines have
been operating with Won Hutier's land
forces against the retrestlng Rus
SLAMS. but the iarger vessels may join
the pursuit at any moment.
Although the Germans are swiftly
pushing their advantages against the
Russians north and east of Riga, and
have now covered nearly one-sIxth OF
the journey 10 the capital, Petrograd
dispatches declare that the Muscovite
retirement is by no means rout. The
Russian forces are following a well de-
fined plan, it is declared and are with
drawing to a previously prepared line
of some strength not far beyond their
present positions and hinging upon the
lakes and marshes trayersing this re-
gion.
Everywhere loyal troops are report
ed to be lighting splendid resr-guard
actions and retarding the pursuit OF
the enemy. The Germans so far in
their offensive have captured only
1900 men, most of whom surrendered
with the fall Of Riga. The booty
taken on the advance has been large,
however. comprising $50 guns, 300 ma
chine guns. several Grmored cars and
large quantities of war material.
Petrograd to-day admits the retreat
of the Russian forces across the River
Melupe, north of the Aa and some fifty
miles beyond Riga. To the eastward
they have taken up a line running
through Friedrichstadt, which has been
invested by the Germans, and Klangen-
berg, Moretzberg and Kestran.
Petrograd in War Zone
Petrograd is showing signs of fright
Word comes from the capital tonight
that il is now considered within the
war zone and that the proclamation OF
martial law is imminent. despite tn.
presence OF the government and the ad-
ministrative services. The newspapers
declare that the government will create
special civil administration respon-
sible for public order until msrial law
is effected.
The chief Of the General staff, Gen.
eral Romanofsky. expresses the opinion
that the evacuation constitutes no i'm
minent menace 20 Petrograd. because
the near approach Of the rainy season
will prevent the enemy from advancing
far in the direction Of the capital. Ths
danger Of a descent upon the coast
nearer 20 Petrograd is also discounted
in Official circles for like reasons and
the additional difficulty the enemy
would find in maintaining communics-
tion with detached force.
Special committees from the reg
ment sof the Petrogrsd garrison have
been appointed 20 work out a plan for
the defence Of the capital
General AleXicf. former commander
in chief, said to-day that Petrograd
was not threat,red By the fall Of Riga.
The greater danger, he added, was IN
the Rumaniau front.
Drastic measures have been decided
upon by the government 20 avert Sc
rious conditions at the capital as a re-
suit of the capture Of Riga. Agents
will be sen: out 20 stop the food Of
refugees on the way here. Railroads
have been forbidden 10 sell tickets 70
Petrogrsd 20 them.