The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-27
FIGHT THROUGH WINTER.
MILITARY EXPERTS EXPECT
FORCES OPERATING AGAINST
GERMANY TO CONTINUE.
Potency OF Material and Men Will
Enable British and French Conn
mandcrs to Triumph Over Natural
Obstacles I'm Waging Great War.

washington, Oct. SI.-Mllltary eX
perts here do not expect winter to
halt the great allied drive against
the Germans in Flanders. Secretary
Bakers weekly review of war ope-
rations issued tonight discloses the
belief of the war department that
potency of material and men will ell
able the British and French COM
manders to triumph over natural OBJ
stacles and continue forcing the en-
emy backward without waiting for
spring.
The review touches for the first
time upon the American expedition
|ary force in France, declaring the
men, after three months intensive
training. are in efficient fighting trim
and splendid physical condition.
On dwelling upon the importance
OF the battleN Of Flanders, the war sec
retary declares it is apparent that
the German higher command PLAN
ned the recent expedition against
the Russians in the Riga sector in
order to bolster up morale and meet
impending internal difficulties. b.
extending her lines in the East. he
adds, Germany has merely added to
the length OF her line of communica-
tions and increased 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 efti-
cient lighting trim. They have really
become acclimated and now feel at
home in the war zone.
"Our troops have met with the
most warmhearted and enthusiastic
reception on the part Of the armies
and people of France. The health Of
our men over seas is reported as ex-
cellent.
The week just closed has been one
Of relative quiet on all fronts.
bad weather actually prevails
along the Western front, wintry con-
ditions will soon set in and the
terrain will become increasingly diff
cult for attacking troops. Neverthe-
less the potency Of all arms for COM
bat will make 1t possible for the Brit
ish and French commanders to tri-
umph over natural obstacles and with
few short intervals VIC may expect
the offensive to press forward.
1T Is not anticipated that the al
lies will go into winter quarters this
year.
'The full Importance of the battle
in Flanders Is beginning to be reveal
ed. In order to appreciate the real
significance Of this engagement and
the effect it has had on the morale
of the German army and the German
people we must consider briefly the
German attitude in the Riga sector,
including the capture Of Oesel, Dago
and other minor islands of the Fin
nish Gulf.
while no attempt should be made
to belittle the Importance OF the
positions gained by the enemy, we
cannot fail to record that it Is ap-
parent that the Germans undertook
this expedition with view to bolster
ing up the morale OF the country.
more particularly I'm order to meet
internal difficulties, which
threaten to eliminate in a renewed
cabinet crisis in the near future.
The German higher command has
invariably picked out weak ened OBJ
jective In order to be able to record
q success which should be OF politi-
cal rather than military value. The
islands OF the Finnish coast In the
hands OF the enemy in no way offset
the recent Allied victories in Flan-
ders. Sound strategy demands that
no such diversion OF forces be un-
dertaken at SO crucial moment.
III the enemy had any confidence
in being able to stem successfulIv
the tide of the Allied advance I'm the
west he would throw every ounce of
MS strength In the balance in Flan-
ders. and, IL possible. by crushing
the allied army. bring about "peace
with victory" which the Germans
nave made their objective.
"ermany by extending her lines
In the east. has merely added to tho
iehgth or her lines of communica-
uon; thus the events IN Russia today
SnOulQ cause us IN boyo i,o,oo,;....