Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-10-29

minimum cost.
The casualties to the enemy are
rising steadily.
Slowly the allies are enlarging
their gains in Flanders, driving into
the heart of German resistance in
the west
Allied Superiority Evident
The German armies fight on stub
bornly. If any further evidence of
allied superiority be needed, it seems
to be supplied by the decisive sue
cesses won by the French during the
week. -.
This offensive was launched on a
siX-mile front near the west end of
the Chemin Des Danes at dawn on
October 23
General Petain so we'll masked his
preparations that the enemy was
taken by surprise as to the exact
terrain chosen for the attack and
was overwhelmed before being able
to organize a concentrated resistance.
The German lines were penetrat-
ed to a depth of well over two miles
at one point.
This first attack was Immediately
followed by a second assault in this
same sector, crowned with full sue
cess.
I'm three days fighting the French
nave taken $4,000 prisoners. 120 guns
OF large caliber and a great quantity
Of other booty not yet enumerated.
The possession of the captured
fort at Malmaison, the key to the
entire ridge and the villages beyond,
row makes it possible for the French
to enfilade the German positions
along the Chemin Des Danes as we'll
as to fire directly through the valley
towards the fortress of Laon.
General Petain showed himself a
postmaster of strategy in being able
to attain so decisive a victory in so
brief period.
German Retreat Probable
THE time has apparently come for
another strategic retreat of the
enemy 1t means that the Germans
must again retire to a new entrench-
ed and carefully prepared line if they
intend to resist further in the west
1T must be admitted that the
Germans retreat executed as a re-
suit of the battles of the Somme last
year was carried through with con-
summate skill. The enemy retired
destroying all cover and taking up
positions of marked tactical and
strategic strength.
But the battle of the Somme had
but one wedge. To-day we have the
wedge of Flanders and that of the
Aisne is being outlined.
THE bad 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 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 assist
ance.
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 posi-
tions in the Tolmino sector.
The broken, steep, mountainous
character of the terrain makes il
difficult to hold entrenchments when
once certain strategic detectives have
been attained. These the Austrians
have apparently captured in this sec
tor which may result in the aban-
donment by the Italians of the Balm
sizza plateau which they won after
so valiant struggle only few weeks
ago.
ITALY is passing through a difficult
moment.
I'VE must remember, however,
that in May, 1916, the Austrians at
tempted a similar onslaught. Then
they had fine weather, a well-chosen
terrain and above all the far superior
fighting vigor of their armies to rely
upon. At that time the Austrians
won decideds successes during the
initial days of the fighting and press
ed on to the edge of the Italian plain
only to be stopped and driven back.
Lose Men and Material
"In the east, German naval opera
tions in the vicinity of the islands at
the mouth of the Finnish gulf were
not carried through without serious
loss both in men and material.
THE Russian resistance apparent
ly is consolidating.
THE Germans using the islands as
q base, have now gained a foothold.
The first landing on the Werder
peninsula at the northern end of the
Gulf of Riga was successfully carried
out. A further attempt at another
point failed.
1T is not probable that the Ger
mans will undertake for the time
being, more than 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 Dvina is re-
ported.
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.
I'm Metsopotamia, the British are
continuing and consolidating their
advance, driving enemy detachments
out of important tactical points on
the fianks, 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 Fall
kenhayn, which have repeatedly been
reported throughout the near East,
have as yet failed to materialize
The training of our troops in
France progresses steadily and ia
vorably. Certain units have taken
their places in the front line trenches
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