The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-11-01
PERSH|NG'S ARMY
FIGHTING SOON
Baker Says Allies will Not
Wait tor Spring
WINTER CAMPAIGN PLANNED
Weeks Resume Says Recent Russian
Invasion Was To Bolster Up
German Morale - No
Winter Quarters.

Washington.-Military experts here
do not expect winter to halt the great
Allied drive against the Germans In
Flanders. Secretary Bakers weekly
review OF war operations discloses the
belief Of the War Department that
potency Of material and men will en-.
able the British and French command.
ers to triumph over natural obstacles
and continue forcing the enemy back
ward without waiting for spring.
The review touches for the first time
upon the American expeditionary
forces in France, declaring the men.
after three months intensive training,
are in efficient fighting trim and splen.
did physical condition.
In dwelling upon the Importance OF
the battle to Flanders and Its effect
upon the morale of the Germans, the
War Secretary declares II apparent
that the German high command plan
ned the recent expedition against the
Russians in the Riga sector In order
to bolster up morale and meet impend-
ing internal difficulties. BY extending
her lines In the East, he adds. Ger
many has merely added to the length
of her line of communications and in
creased confidence in the final Allied
victory.
The review, covering the week end.
ing October 20. follows:
"Our men in France, after three
months intensive training. are in
splendid physical condition and eflci.
ent fighting trim. They have readily
become acclimatized and now feel at
home in the war zone. Our troops
have met with the most warm-hearted
and enthusiastic reception on the part
Of the armies and people Of France.
"The health of our men overseas is
reported as excellent. The week Just
closed has been one OF relative quiet
on all fronts.
bad weather already prevails along
the western front, wintry conditions
will soon set in and the terrain will
become increasingly difficult for at
tacking troops. Nevertheless, the
potency OF Allied material and men,
the accumulation Of the technical
means Of combat, and the preparations
which have been going on for many
months will make 1t possible for the
British and French commanders to
triumph over natural obstacles and
with few short intervals we may eX-
pect the offensive to press forward.
1T Is not anticipated that the Allies
will 90 into winter quarters this year.
III the enemy had any confidence in
being able to stem successfully the
tide Of the Allied advance in the west,
he would throw every ounce OF his
strength into the balance In Flanders,
and. II possible, by crushing the Allied
armies bring about peace with vic.
tory which the German has often
stated as his objective.
Germany ny extending her lines in
the east has merely added to the
length OF her line Of communications.
Thus, the events in Russia today
should cause us to have increasing
confidence in final Allied victory.
1T is evident that the terrible pun
ishment by Allied artillery fire is be-
ginning to have very decided effect
along the western front. Never before
in any series Of engagements have so
many German divisions, after brief en-
counters, been withdrawn and replaced
by fresh troops. Deserters from Ger
man ranks taken into the Allied lines
have become increasinglY numerous. y