Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-08-01
WASHINGTON VIEWS BIG
ASSAULT WITH KEEN
INTEREST
MAY DECIDE WAR
TURNING POINT MAY COME IN
WAKE OF ONSLAUGHT BEGUN
ON FRENCH AND BELGIUM
FRONTS.

London, Aug Charging forward
in driving rainstorm the Germans
made ferrous efforts throughout the
night to recapture some of the ground
lost to the Anglo-French forces in
the gigantic battle which developed
in Belgium yesterday.
Desperate efforts were made by the
Germans to retake the village of La
Basse vile on the France Belgian Dor.
der, but all failed
With La Basse vile in the hands of
the British the strong German posi-
tions at Warneton is seriously men,
aced.
South of the Ypress.C Confines canal
the British pressed forward extend
ing and improving their new lines
North of the Canal the Germans
tried to wrest from the British some
of the ground won in the sectors OF
Hooge and Sanctuarywood. In spite
of the vigor with which the attacks
were made the German assaults broke
before the British trenches, the Teu-
tons suffering severe losses.
The British were handicapped in
the consolidation of their new trench.
es by the downpour which has con-
tinued since yesterday morning. In
spite of the unsatisfactory weather
conditions, however, the wrecked
trenches were patched up and
strengthened before the Germans
could begin their counter attacks.
The bad weather has interfered
with aviation work, but the big guns
continue to roar in spite of the lack
of observation.
"The Ypres-Comines canal flows in
a southwesterly direction from Ypres
passing east of Oosthoek, Hollebeke,
Pouthem and Warneton
Is Britain's Opportunity.
Washington, Aug 1.-The Anglo
French offensive in Flanders may take
the balance of control in Belgium from
Germany.
General Staff officers, just back
from France, are following develon.
ments closely They declared today
that much more than appears on the
surface is at stake In the new strug
gle
One of these officers. who has ira.
versed every inch of the ground COW
cred by the present offensive, summed
up the situation for the international
News Service follows:
THE present offensive has as DOS
slble result the turning and crump-
ling of the entire German line on the
western front The allies are striking
with unprecedented vigor at the
most vulnerable spot in the whole Ger
man chain of Notifications. The for
titcationS in Belgium are built on
sand.
The present push has been long in
preparation. That the Germans knew
of 1t is evidenced by their fare out of
ten days ago, driving the British from
the Yypres salient to a more difficult
position from which to start. In a
day or two they will probably fling a
great assault at Verdun or at some
point farther east on the line. The
"itish must not let themselves be
distracted. Let the Germans gain a
little at Verdun If they can, but keep
up the Belgian offensive at all costs.
1t is hitting the Germans where it
hurts.
Carried out with the cooperation
of monitors the drive should be able to
turn the German right flank. Tho con,
sequence would be a crumpling move.
ment and retreat along the whole
length Of the line. The Germans can
be driven from Belgium If the attacks
are pressed home, and their submar-
Inc bases on the coast be destroyed.
There Is little doubt that monitors
are being used in attacks on the shore
batteries. With them an attempt to
land force behind the German lines
may be carried out These monitors
are very much like the Union Monitor
of the civil war Their decks are
flush with the water. They carry two
revolving turrents armed with 12inch
guns and are capable of doing ire
parable damage to the German shore
batteries.
"The present drive has more posi-.
bilities than any the allies have un.
dertaken In more than year II has
more to gain than even the vaunted
Aisno drive Of last summer. Indeed,