American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-10-26
ALLIES TO KEEP ON
FIGHTING ALL WINTER
Military Experts, Says Secretary Ba-
ker's War Review, Look for Increas-
Ing Attack on German Lines.

Flanders. Secretary Bakers weekly
review Of war operations. issued We'd
nesday night. discloses the belief Of
the war department that potency OF
material and men will enable the
British and French commanders 10
triumph OYer natural obstacles and
continue forcing the enemy backward
without waiting for spring.
The review touches for the first
time upon the American expedition
airy forces In France. declaring the
men, after three months OF intensive
training. are in efficient lighting trim
and splendid physical condition.
Russian Drive Called Bluff.
In dwelling upon the Importance Of
the battle Of Flanders and its effect
upon the morale Of tho Germans the
war secretary declares Il apparent that
the German high command planned
the recent expedition against the Rus
SLAMS IN the Riga sector in order 20
bolster up morale and meet impending
internal difficulties. BY extending her
lines IN the cast. he adds. Germany has
merely added 20 the length OF her line
OF communications and Increased con.
ndence Ia the nnal allies victory.
The review. covering the week ended
October 20. follows:
Our men la France. after three
months' intensive training. are in
splendid physical condition and eff
cient lighting trim. They have readi-
~ become acclimatized and now feel
a. home IN the war zone.
French Kind 10 Our Troops.
Our troops have met with the most
warm-hearted and enthusiastic recep-
ton on the part Of the armies and
people Of France.
Tho 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. wlntry conditions
will soon set Ia and the terrain will
become increasingly difficult for at
lacking troops. Nevertheless, the po-
tency Of allied material and men. the
accumulation Of the technical means
OF combat aud tho preparations which
have been going On for many months
will make Il possible for the British
and French commanders 20 triumph
over natural obstacles and. with few
short intervals. We may expect the Of
fensive TO press forward.
II is not anticipated that the allies
Will 10 into winter quarters this
year.
Tho full importance OF the battle In
Flanders Is beginning 10 be revealed.
In order 20 appreciate the real sig
nihcance OF this engagement and the
effect Il has had on the morale OF
the German army and the German
people. We must consider briefly the
German attacks In the Riga sector.
including the capture OF Oosel, Dago
and other minor islands OF the Fin
nish gulf.
while no attempt should be made
20 belittie the importance OF the po-
sitions gained hy the enemy. we can
not fan 10 record that Il "a apparent
that the Germans undertook this ex-
pedition with "A view 20 holstering up
the morale OF tho country. more par
ticulariy "a order To be able 10 meet
the impending difficulties which
threaten 20 eliminate In a renewed
cabinet crisis in the near future.
Gcrmans Pick Soft spots.
The German higher command has
Invariably picked ont n weakened OBJ
iectiyc iu order 90 De able 10 record
"a success. which should be- OF "a po-
litical rather than military value,
if the enemy had any confidence IN
being able 90 stem successfully the
tide of the allied advance In the west.
hc would throw every ounce OF his
strength in the balance iu Flanders.
and II possible. hy crushing the
allied armies. bring nbou; peace with
victory which the German has often
stated as his objective.
Germany. by extending her limos an
tho east. has merely added to the
length Of her line of communications
Thus the events la Russia today
should cause us Go have increased
confidence la nnal allied victory.
AUSTRIAN Drive l. Unlikely.
Along the western front. trench
raids. as we'll as the usual artillery
tHels are reported Isolated counter
attacks uere conducted by the enemy
80 such manner ae 20 Indicate that
nN real success was expected, but
~et0iy serve 90 keep up the aegres
$3.50 pirit 90 the troops
Is IS evidence that the terrible
I.H hmeut hy allied artillery lire is
Hufns tO have a very decided ef-
f.of along the western front Never
before ln ans series OF engagements
iff So many German divisions. after
tftef f~ncouuters. been Withdrawn and
replaced hy fresh troops. Deserters
fr1m German ranks taken into the
allied Zines have become increasingly
numerous
iiumors 10 an ~inpendlns Austrian
Ulieu eitt directed against italt have
been current during the past week
Reports % concentrations ot Austrian