The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-05
Trench Warfare Abandoned on
Italian Plains. and Cadorna Q
Troops Prepare for Struggle
ALLIED FORCES TO
THREATENED AREA
French Make important Gains
North of Ainse, and Ger
mans in Retiring Movement
Indicating Readjustment Of
Line

Washington. November 1.-THE Aus
ro-German drive at Italy is not with
out it's blessings. It has made one the
entire western front. which today
stretches from the North sea to the
Adriatic."
Secretary Baker thus speaks OF the
dramatic events of the last week In
his review Of operations made public
today.
His summary Is as follows; Our at
sention during the past week has been
centered on the gigantic struggle now
going on in the Friluian plain. The
Austro- German forces breaks n y
through the Italian defenses along the
upper reaches of the Upper Isonxo
have irrupted into the lowlands and
carried forward series of rapidly CO.
ordinated operations. which have re-
suited in the conquest of much terri
tory.
Trench warfare has for the tins
being been abandoned
Great troop masses are nsaneuver-
ing IN open country
Under the direction OF General
Cadorna, the Italian armies have with
drawn TO the west bank of the Tag
uamento river
France and Great Britain have al
-EAa6x~ dispatched observation-disclosures
to the threatened battle area. The
western front today stretches from the
Hos tn sea 10 the Adriatic,
The Venetian plain has become part
of the western battle front. Ne doubt
| the snemy calculated that italy would
be abandoned to her fate. or that the
allies would. be unable to dispatch the
| : ece.aS~r kSs~es. 10 tfrTss to be OF Of
| fective value.
/ England, France and Italy stand
/ firmly united. ready to oppose any fur
+, Their advance Of the enemy In the
| Italian sectors
The r1omentous events IN ITALY
! should not lead US 10 forget that the
principal battle front Of the war re-
mains, as II has been since the begin
( ming. the important sectors of the
western front in France and Flanders
+ Here the overw helmtng bulk al
enemy strength is concentrated. Here
cur forces are Hght!ng.
steadily the Franco British forces
/ are pushing forward.
"in Flanders. allied attacks wers
particularly successful. The British
: have compelled the Germans to retire
north OF the Ypres-Roalers road. They
! have penetrated within 400 yards o'
p&sschendAo,e where the CANADIAN
/ sroopa distinguished themselves by
sspturing Bellevue spur. after ini14et-
/ ING serio Is losses on the @nemy
/ In the vicinity of pt1mude, TN
BsIgla7s executed several successful
( raids while the French. by veli-di
/ rected assault occupied the eastern
/ outskirts ~ the Houthuist wood ant
| captured several villages. includins
! HerlSen and klpps. AS we'll as a mum
Der of strongly fortified farm houses
| This success is of Importance a.
marking an extension OF the alliet
tines north OF Ypres, which means 1
further sharpening Of the blade Of TIN
! wedge In Flanders
North of the Ainse the French hav'
/ enlarged their success Of the proceed
/ Ing week by taking certain villages
witch they have successfully held III
the face Of strong counter-attacks BY
| the enemy. Though mentioned onl,
briefly In dispatches. these operations
are OF great tactical Importance.
THE Germans unable TO withstand
\ the intense pressure Of the French II