The Washington times., 1917-11-13

powerfully driven o1enslves.
Praise For
In Flanders the British captured
Passchendaele. The high ground of
the main ridge in and beyond this VIII
lage fell into British hands as the re-
suit OF a well directed attack by the
assaulting columns OF Canadian in
fantry.
With Passchendaele securely in Brit
Ish hands. the first stag Of the opera
tons begun during the last week Of
September has been brought to 4 sue
cessful conclusion
The British forces have been busy
fortifying the positions won, and push
In ahead advance outpoyts, while to
the north and south forward thrusts
along the edges Of the Salient are being
continued.
The reaction Of the enemy has hitherto
been relatively slight
The French counterpart OF the British
success took place north Of the Aisne.
Here the retreat Of the enemy antici-
pated last week was carried out The
pressure Of the French offensive. which
has grown slowly and methodlcally in
volume and intensity. reached climax
when by the recent French advance In
this sector they were enabled to enflade
the German lines along the crest Of the
Chemin des Danes.
20 square Miles Recovered.
For the last three years the pres
ence Of the enemy on this ridge has
been q source OF anxiety to the
principal objective OF the repeated Of |
-. 81.
since last April. The sudden forced |
OF some forty square |
niles of the most important terrain |
N this sector OF the western front /
las been the tangible result achieved.
The French continue In close con-
act with the enemy.
In the region OF the newly captured
ground along the Ailette, they are
organizing their positions from the
disc canal to Corbeny. where lively
dueIs are noted. The main
Ierman positions now centered about
Ridge will come under
he converging fire OF French guns
rom Corbeny and the fort OF
Means More Than Mere Gain.
The Importance OF this successful
French advance must not be over
ooked. II means more than a mere
rain OF so many square miles OF ter
'itory; II means the penetration OF
he powerfully fortified Siegfried line,
hitherto considered by the enemy i'm
,regnable, and pushes back his main
defensive positions to within fve
niles OF the fortress OF Laon, the
major objective.
Along other sectors OF the western
ront, relative quiet prevailed. How
ver, the harassing of the enemy con-
inues unabated along the entire front.
he usual artillery duels, trench raids,
md patrol encounters took place.
In the sector where a small detach-
nent of our troops had taken up their
laces IN the trenches as part OF
heir training, the enemy (as IL Gus
omary in trench warfare when fresh
roops are believed to have taken
laces in front line trenches). for
econnaissance purposes, executed a
'ell planned raid and succeeded in
penetrating the short seq
lent OF the line held by our forces.
q few casualties and taking
risoners.
A unit OF our artillery. also in the
curse OF its training. came in contact
nth the enemy and acquitted itself
cry creditably in this frst encounter.
In Italy the situation Is developing
9 normally as can be expected under
he circumstances
For the time being. It would be Of
title avail to endeAvor to seek for
he contributing causes OF the sue
esses gained by the Austro-German
orces, which have resulted In their
Into Italy.
Italians Regain Morale.
The italian retreat. somewhat con-
used in It's earlier stages, has now
ecome more orderly and the retire
lent of the main forces OF the ltAl-
IN armies during the week contin-
cd uninterrupted.
The line OF the TaEliamento river
as held by tho Italians long enough
insure the safe retirement OF large
odies OF troops. This line has now
cen abandoned, and the enemy PEN
lrating the Venetian plain, has
,ached Livenza.
The Italians are eentiaulnE their