The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-01
STORM TRENCHES

CONTINUED from Page One.)
The Russians in Galicia and Bukowina,
which resulted lin completely driving
fine Ausfrians from Bukowina and are
still continuing. On the Italian front
the central powers have also met with
severe reverses, and for several days
the Italians have been steadily driving
xhe Austrians from position after posi-
zion in the Trentino. The defense also
If Vertfl-n by the French appears to
haze stiffened and the balance of the
battle in that bitterly contested sector
appears to have swayed in favor OF
the defenders.
Along the Entire Line.
The great offensive undertaken by
the British offers, according to re-
'Sports fro mthe front and the com
nnents of military critics, an absolute
~ new departure in the tactics htther-
10 pursued by the belligerents. Con-
trary to the favorite tactics of the
Germans, the British did not attempt
a partial advance by massing their
artillery at a given point on the line
and following an intense lombard
ment by an infantry attack in serried
columns.
Employing an enormous number of
guns, the British maintained con-
3inuous and even bombardment of the
German lines along the entire ninety
miles of attack. They ought to level
the German trenches and destroy the
concrete fortification which sheltered
the German machine gun squads.
Hurricanes of shells were also direct
Led against the German barbed wire
acknowledgements. In the evenings fol-
Sowing this daily artillery storm raid
ing parties dashed out from the Brit
ish lines to complete the destruction
wrought by the big guns. IN this way
the British claim that many prisoners
were taken, machine guns destroyed
or captured and the entire defense of
the Germans demoralized. A French
officer who witnessed this plan of
operations described it as the last
word in scientific warfare
Failed in Last Drive.
The last considerable offensive I'M
dertaken by the British was a drive in
force. at Loos in September, 1915, in
conjunction with similar French Of
tort in the Champagne district. The
British captured Loos and claimed to
have taken 10000 German prisoners
and many gums. They were unable to
press home their advantage. however,
necause according to the British war
office the PRESERVES failed to arrive on
time. The British official losses in
the battle Of Loos were $4,000 men.
That the British public is prepared to
lace a roll of dead and wounded on
an even vaster scale is indicated by
the comments of the British newspa-
pers in anticipating the present Of
IEnSiVc-
Expect Enormous Loss.
political and military leaders ave
warned the nation that the smashing
Of the German lines could not possibly
he accomplished except at an appall-
ing loss of life. 1t has been asserted,
indeed, that the British authorities
We're prepared to face a loss of some
Hundreds of thousands of soldiers if
they could achieve their objects and
drive the Germans from France and
Belgium.
The only front in the whole theater
o. the world war where comparative
Quiet reigns today is in the Balkans
and the prediction of an allied adj
vance in that region have been at least
4 az numerous and circumsta ntiaI as
those regarding the British army In
France. There have. been some minor
! Indications of portending activity in
i the Balkans in the form of increasing
artillery activity. aerial raids and eff
forts by the Bulgarians to strer
4 their lines by the occupation of for
4 tfessesson the Greek side of the from
f ter.
7o0, goo Men in Balkans
4 Newspaper correspondents at Salo-
Mkt have estimated that the allies
3 have total of 100000 to 100000 vet
eran soldiers concentrated on their
4 lines IN that district. The recognized
Serbian army, reported to be 15O.0