Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-10-30
ALLIES ARE SURELY
FORCING GERMANS
BACK TO FRONTIER

sitions along the Chemin des DANES,
as we'll as to fire directly through
the valley toward the fortress of
Laon.
General Petain showed himself
a past master of strategy in being
able to attain so decisive a victory
in so brief a period.
THE time has apparently come
for another Strategic retreat of
the enemy. 1t means that the Ger
mans must again retire to a new en-
trenched and carefully prepared line
If they intend to resist further in
the west.
at must be admitted that the
German retreat executed as a re-.
suit of the battles of the Somme
last year was carried through with
consummate skill. The enemy re-
tired, destroying all cover and TAX
ing up positions in marked tactical
and strategic strength.
But the battle of the Somme had
but one wedge. Today we have the
wedge of Flanders, and that of the
Aisne is being outlined.
THE Tad weather continues to be
the enemy's best protection. He is
relying upon this factor to impede
the allied advance. and by shrouding
the battle area in slush, rain and fog,
give him a respite until he can pre-
pare himself to meet a fresh on
slaught.
News from the Italian front
proves that the AuStrians were able
to bring sufficient pressure to bear
in Berlin in order to secure German
assistance.
LAS the result of the. concentration
of an imposing array of artillery and
massed battalions, the Austro-Ger-
man forces have succeeded in pene-
trating the recently won italian po-
sitions in the Tolmino sector.
THE broken, steep, mountainous
character Of the terrain makes it diff
fcult to hold entertainments when
once certain strategic detectives
have been attained. These the Aus
TRANS have apparently captured in
this sector, which may result in the
abandonment by the Italians of the
Bainsizza plateau, which they won
after so valiant a struggle only
few weeks ago.
ITALY is passing through a diff
fcult moment.
1--WE must remember, however
that in Mag, 1916, the Austrians af-
tempted a similar onslaught. Then
they had fine weather, well chosen
terrain, and above all the far SUI
perior fighting vigor of their armies
to rely upon. At that time the Aus
trains won decided successes during
the initial days of the fighting and
pressed on the edge of the italian
plain, only to be stopped and driven
back.
I'm the east, German naval opera
lions in the vicinity of the islands
at the mouth of the Finnish gulf
we're not carried through, with seri-
Gus losses both in men and material
1.-THE Russian resistance apparent
ly is consolidating.
"The Germans, using the islands
as a base, have now gained a foot
hold on the adjacent mainland.
THE first landing on the Werder
peninsula at the northern end of the
Gulf of Riga was successfully car
ried out. A further attempt at an
other point failed.
ut is not probable that the Ger
mans will undertake, for the time
being, more than a strengthening
of the positions now held in the Riga
sector.
The retirement of the advanced
enemy lines to a depth of fifteen
miles in the region of the Dwina is
reported.
Engagements of some magnitude
are noted along the Rumanian and
Macedonian fronts, where artillery
duels and raids are increasing in
frequency. These. however, are not
of more than local Importance.
"In Mesopotamia. the British are
continuing ann consolidating their
advance, driving enemy detachments
out of important tactical points on
the TANKS, thus strengthening their
whole line of defense.
"Rumors of an important move by
the Turks. reinforced by certain
picked German and Austrian units
under the command of General Falk-
enhayn, which have repeatedly been
reported through the near east, have
as yet failed to materialize.