New-York tribune., 1919-10-11
Advance Guard Enters Bal
tic Port After First Being
Defeated by the Let's;
Warships Ready to Act
German Troops in Battle
Heavy Assault Repulsed by
Defenders, According to
a Copenhagen Report


LONDON. Oct. 1.-THE advance
guard of Colonel Avaloff- Bermondt en-
tered and occupied Riga Wednesday
evening or Thursday morning, accord
ing to "The Daily Mails" Helsingfors,
Finland, corresp spondent.
COPENHAGEN, Oct. 10 (By the
Associated Press). - German troops
under General Won der Goltz, together
with Russians under Colonel Avaloff-
Dermondt, have attacked the Let's
thirty kilometers from Riga and occu-
pied Shlotsk, which is outside the
former line OF demarcation between
the German and Lettish troops, accord
ing to a report issued by the Lettish
Bureau at Riga. AS a result of this
attack the British and French warships
in the Gulf Of Riga have cleared for
action.
Colonel lAvalotf Bermondt has pro-
claimed Courland and Mitau as belong
ing to the Russian general government
and has assumed the title of Governor
General, according to the Lettsh bu-
has left Riga, the Lettish bureau says.
Colonel Avalotf- -Bermondt has curtly
demanded permission of the Lettsn
government for the passage of his
troops to the Russian frontiers.
Repulsed With Severe Losses
The Lettish report adds that the
attack. which was made by troops which
the peace conference has ordered Ger
many to withdraw from the Baltic
region. was repulsed with severe losses,
and that a German attempt to bomb
Riga was also beaten off The forces
of General Won der Goltz include inn
perial German troops, with tanks and
airplanes, according to the report. The
Let's say their losses were slight.
A state of siege has been proclaimed
at Riga as precautionary measure.
Reserves are being formed among those
who are unable to go to the front.
Soldiers who were starting toward the
front were pelted with flowers.
The Lettish bureau says the Germans
and Russians, who began their attack
on the front of st. Olaf, also attacked
the coastal town of Dubbelm thirty
kilometres from Riga.
Fighting Along the Whole Front
The Let's in addition to asserting
they inflicted sangunary losses on the
enemy and to have destroyed an ar
mored train at the ST. OLAF station,
declare they cut up two companies of
Germans with their machine gun fire.
The fighting continues on the who;e
Of the front.
Another dispatch from Riga says the
Germans attacked repeatedly during
the night in overwhelming numbers
and with all modern weapons, but that
the Let's sucessvely counter attacked.
. The despatch adds that soldiers and
civilians are filled with enthusiasm,
and that volunteers are joining the
ranks day and night. These include
students Of all classes.
Lettish soldiers, who have been
fighting with the British and French
at Archangel, have just arrived at
Riga by steamship and rushed to the
front
Berlin advices from Mtau, twenty
seven miles south Of Riga, declare the
Russian and German forces in that
vicinity have reached an agreement
in regard to the gradual evacuation of
the country and that word to this ef-
feet has been sent to the Entente rep
resentatives at Mitau.
PARIS, Oct. 10 (By The Associated
Press ).-German troops attacked Let
tish forces October s according to a
protest received by the peace confer
ence from the Lettish government. The
Allies are asked to take decisive action
against this "violation of the peace
treaty" and to compel Germany to COM
ply with the conditions of the Vef-
saiiles pact 1t is asserted German
troops in Lettonia are threatening the
world and uniting with pro-German
Russians" The Lettish government
declares it will obstinately defend its
independence.
Allies to Renew Blockade
General Won der Goltz is persisting
IN his refusal to evacuate the Baltic
region, according to telegram re-
ceived to-day by the Supreme Council
from the French military mission in
lne Baltic provinces.
The reply of Marshal Foch, who was
instructed by the Supreme Council to
ara" up the Entente answer to the re-
cent German note regarding the evacu-
ation OF the Baltic provinces, will in
1orm the German government that the
supply Of foodstuffs and raw material
VIII be suspended and financial facili-
TIES VIII be refused unless Germany
complies with the orders of the peace
conference. The German reply had
pleaded lack of power to control the
actions Of General Won der Goltz anc
protested against a reimposition Of the
blockade.
The note Of Marshal Foch will fur
7hermore state that an inter-AllieC
commission Will be sent to the Baltic
provinces to watch the execution o1
me orders. The note Will probably be
sent Tomorrow