New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-23
Winter Will Not
EndAlGedDrive,
Baker Declares
Secretary Says American
Forces Are in Fine
Fighting Trim

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22.-Military
experts here do not expect winter to
halt the great Allied drive against
the Germans in Flanders. Secretary
Baker's weekly review Of war opera
tions. issued tonight, discloses the
belief of the War Department that
potencv of material and men will en-
able the British and French command
ers to triumph over natural obstacles
and continue forcing the enemy back
ward without waiting for spring.
The review touches for the first time
upon the American expeditionary
forces in France, declaring the men. af-
ter three months intensive training,
are in efficient fighting trim and splen-
did physical condition.
In dwelling upon the Importance OF
the Battle of Flanders and its effect
upon the morale Of the Germans, the
War Secretary declares it apparent
that the German high command
planned the recent expedition against
the Russians in the Riga sector in or
der to bolster up morale and meet i'm
pending internal difficulties. By eX-
tending her lines in the East, he adds,
Germany has merely added TO the
length of her line of communications
and increased confidence in the hnaI
Allied victory.
Americans in Fine Shape
The review. covering to. week ended
October 20, follows:
"Our men in France after three
months intensive training, are IN
splendid physical condition and efticisnt
fighting trim. They have recently be-
come acclimated and now feel at home
in the war zone.
"Our troops have met with the most
warm hearted and enthusiastic recep-
tion on the part of the armies and
people Of France.
"The health of our men overseas Is
reported as excellent.
"The week just closed has been one
of relative quiet on all fronts.
Bad Weather Prevails
"Bad weather already prevails along
the Western front, wintry conditions
will soon set in, and the terrain will
become increasingly difficult for at
tacking troops. Nevertheless, the po-
| tency of Allied material and men, the
accumulation of the technical means
! of combat, and the preparations which
| have been going on for many months
will make it possible for the British and
! French commanders to triumph over
/ natural obstacles, and with few short
intervals We may expect the offensive
| to press forward.
at is not anticipated that the Allies
will go into winter quarters this year.
The full Importance of the battle
! in Flanders is beginning to be re-
vealed. 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 peo-
ple. we must consider briefly the Ger
man attacks in the Riga sector, includ-
| ing the capture of Oesel, Dago, and
/ other minor islands OF the Finnish
/ Gulf.
"While no attempts should be made
to belittle the Importance of the posi-
tions gained by the enemy, we cannot
| fail to record that il is apparent that
/ the Germans undertook this expedition
with view to bolstering up the morale
of the country, more particularly IN
order TO be able TO meet the impending
internal difficulties. which threaten to
eliminate in renewed Cabinet crisis
! III the near future"
Troops May Be Massed
However, it is possible that the
Central Powers, fearing further Italian
, successes along the lsonzo front, have
massed a considerable number of troops
/ in an effort to check the Italian ad
vance and, if possible, regain some OF
the terrain lost during recent engage
ments.
IAN Interesting summary of troor
movements in the United States show:
that since the present mobilization
began 9l4,l95 persons have been trans.
/ ported by the railroads for the Wal
Department, of whom 256,sl5 were
/ transported in standard or tourist
sleepers, the remainder in ordinary da,
coaches. This vast movement has beer
conducted by the railroads of the coun
try without single serious accident
and the cooperation between the rail
roads and the department has beer
most cordial and effective"
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