Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-11
IRv Associated Press.l

|
FRANCE. June 10 tvia London).-
While still further German counter
attacks may be expected from time to
time. the battle OF Messincs ridge may
be said to be ended. 1t stood out as a
definite operation. designed for certain
purposes. and il remains to be seen
whether other offensive battles have
been planted in this particular sector
! of the western front.
! Tho taking of Messines ridge has
robbed the Germans OF the last COM
handing natural position they occu-
pied for so long opposite the British
! lines. Bapaume and Nimy and Mes
sines ridges as we'll as Monchy pateau
| five miles east of Arras. have all been
captured by the British during the last
three months, and this has materially
changed the military situation on this
front.
When the Germans chose what they
were pleased to term permanent lines
Of defense in 1914. they occupied these
vantage points with n forcknowledge
of their strategic, tactical and obser-
walton values as keen as that pos
sessed by any French military student
The Germans had thorough IA
miliarity with and detail maps OF every
square rod Of French territory over
which they proposed to fight and when
flung back from the Marine had al
ready selected the lines upon which
their trench fortificationS were to be
built 1t is natural that the German
communicates and wireless press re-
ports should attempt to belittle the
loss OF these positions. but the British,
who have had to endure the handicap
of lying under their direct observa-
ton and fire for so long time, make
no attempt to disguise the satifac-
ton with which they look to tho fu-
ture. and what it holds in store for the
Germans whoa last, arc virtually the
under dog
VARIOUS SPECIAL
SYSTEMS OF TRENCHES
OF course. there remains the much
talked-of Siegfrd and wotan lines
with their various special system OF
trenches
The Stegtred limo represents that
portion OF the Hindenburg line be-
tween 0ueant and 81. Quentin The
HindenburE line. between Queant and
Arras. has virtually been all taken by
the British. so the Germans now call
''~'' i'He u ucieHse OF
Queant the Wotan line. formerly
known as the Drocourt- Queant switch
line.
North of Drocourt this line runs to
Montigny, thence west TO Annay. and
connects with the trench systems there.
All thee lines. however. lack the nat
ural advantage which the Germans
possessed when in command OF the
ridges.
The enemy has endeavored to offset
this with artificial strength in the
elaborate use OF steel and concrete for
dugouts. machine-gun emplacements
and specials for the covered commune
cation trenches The victory Of Mis-
sines ridge. however. shows that con-
crete and steel strong points must
WELD to the concentration of artillery
fire. which the allies now are able TO
bring TO bear upon any given point.
The allies feel that Icy have shown
that the German military power can
be crushed. the only question remain
ing being the speed with which this
can be accomplished. This is where
they. say America can help with her
tremendous weight of>men and ma
terial. and they are looking forward
to this help during the late AUTUMN
and in the spring of 1915, and thus &c
confidently on.
1t would seem that A victory must
be gained by series of powerful