Evening star., 1925-07-26
BRITAIN LEASES
BALTIC ISLANDS
Dagoe and 0eseI, Acquired
From Esthonia, "Keys to
Gulf of Finland"

A news dispatch from Stockholm
states that the government of Es
thonia has leased to Great Britain
for long period the Islands of Dagoe
and Oesel, in the Baltic Sea, just south
of the Gulf of Finland.
With a combined area of 800
square miles, or approximately that
of the State of Rhode Island, many
miles of coast line fronting on the
Baltic Sea, and high rocky shores
adaDted to fortigoations, Oesel and
Dagoe might well be termed the keys
TO the Gulf of Finland " according tC
q bulletin from the Washington head
quarters of the National Geographic
Society.
During the World War the islands
were heavily fortified by the Rus
slams" the bulletin continues, 'and
in 1917 We're the objectives of a con.
ccerted naval attack by the German
feet.
Oesel Limestone Plateau.
"Oesel, the larger and more impor.
tant of the two, has an area of 1,010
square miles and 65, 900 inhabitants,
chiefly Esthonians. Like Gottland, its
Swedish neighbor across the Baltic
1t consists Of large limestone plateau
covered with a soil layer which, al
places, is very thin. The coasts are
bold and steep, with many indenta.
ttonS but few good harborS, due to
the shoal water offshoe. To the
north and west there are precipitous
limestone cliffs, where a few pine
trees battle alone with the bleak Win
Ter winds from the tundras of the
Far North
Yet 1t is under the cloudy skies and
amid the barren rocks of the island
that rich green grass grows, furnish
ing pasture to the horses of Oesel
which, like those of the Shetland Is
lands, are small but are famed for
their spirit and endurance.
In addition to stock raising the
natives of both islands conduct a
profitable trade in grain. potatoes
whisky and fish with the mother coun
try, from which they are separated
bv narrow channels of water. The
chief city of the islands is Arensburg
on the south coast of Oesel Steam
ers from Riga, Revel and Petrograd
make regular calls here, although the
pay Is shallow and the larger boats
cannot approach the shore because OF
numerous shifting sandbars and the
rocks and shoals. Green meadow
lands and little islets, covered with
trees and grass, give the bay a pretty
setting, while its smooth. sandy beach
resort
Tor Esthonians. Bathers do not seen
10 mind water temperatures that
would henumh those from regions
farther south.
Lake in Interior.
Inland there is a small lake, Lake
sail. a craterlike basin. with a high
margin, formed by volcanic upheaval
and now filed with water. In some
or the village churches are fine wood
carvings and sculptures in Esthonian
marble.
THE finest part of the island. how.
ever. is the Sworbe peninsula, a long
handle-lke projection to the south
west. The greatest width of this
peninsula is miles and it is Is miles
long, with a ridge Of hill running
throughout its length like a back
bone. Steep to the east and covered
with pines, the west slope is very
gradual and is q region of planta.
tfons. Due to the abundant rainfall
good crops of grain and vegetables
are obtained for the markets of Revel
and Riga
'Dagoe, with an area of about a
third of its larger sister, is less Wis
tied and consequently little known
The Island of Harry, to the north.
east, is its port of call for the steam
ers from Hapsal on the mainland
There is also a landing place at Nina
Point on the north shore, although
the shoals prevent large steamers
from approaching close to the shore
All the ports of these islands are
closed by ice for several weeks during
the Winter, the length of the closed
period depending upon the seasons
which vary.
Ancient Fortresses.
The islands have long been con
sidered Of military Importance. as the
remains Of hill fortresses and lofty
ring walls of pagan date, found alone
the coast and in many parts of the
interior, give evidence. In the thir
teenth century they were occupied
by Waldemar, King of the Danes, anc
his men, who built a strong fortified
castle. This castle was later destroyed
by the Esthonians, who followed the
conquest of the island by the knights
of the sword. In 1859 the islands
were sold to Denmark, which natioT
in turn surrendered them to Sweden
They were incorporated with Russia
in 1921 and remained under hel
dominion until after the World War
when they were returned to the
Esthonians.
During the World War the Sworbe
Peninsula on Oesel embraced a bat
terry of 12-inch naval guns and was
often bombed by enemy airplanes
There were Notifications on botf
islands throughout the war and land
ings were made by the German forces
in the vicinity of Tagga Bay, on the
north shore of Oesel, in 1917. The
two islands surrendered to the Ger
man forces on October 16, 1917 Lo
Gated at the junction Of the Gulf OF
Finland and the Baltic Sea, and not
far from the mouth of the Gulf Of
Bothnia, they are considered of great
}, strategic value"