The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-10-29


must again retire to new entrench-
ed and carefully prepared line II they
intend to resist further in the west
1T must be admitted that the Ger
man retreat executed as result OF
the battles of the Somme last year
was carried through with consum-
mate skill. The enemy retired de-
stroying all cover and taking up
positions of marked tactical and
strategic strength.
"But, the battle of the Somme had
but one wedge. Today we have the
wedge of Flanders and that OF the
Aisne is being outlined.
THE bad weather continues to DC
the enemy's best protection. he Is
relying upon this factor 10 lnPeoe
the allied advance and by shrouding
the battle area in slush, rain and fog,
give him a respite until he can pre-
pare himself to meet a fresh on
slaught.
News from the italian front
proves that the Austrians were able
to bring sufficient pressure to bear
in Berlin in order to secure German
assistance.
"As the result of the concentration
of an imposing array of artillery and
massed battalions. the Austro-Ger-
man. forces have succeeded In pene e
trating the recently won Italian posi- :
tions in the Tolmino sector.
THE broken, steep, mountainous
character of the terrain makes IL an
ficult to hold entertainments when
once certain strategic detectives nave
been attained. These the Austrlans
have apparently captured in this sec
tor which NAV result in the aband-
onment by the Italians of the Balm
sizza plateau which they won after
so valiant a struggle only few
weeks ago.
Italy is passing through a diff
cult moment. We must remember
however, that in May, 1916, the Aus
TRANS attempted a similar onslaught
Then they had fine weather, a well
chosen terrain and above all, the far
superior fighting vigor Of their arm
les to rely upon. At that time the
Austrians won decided successes
during the initial days of the fghting
and pressed on to the edge OF the
Italian plain only to be stopped and
driven back.
THE Russian resistance apparent
ly is consolidating.
1.-THE Germans. using the ISLANDS
as a base. have now gained FOOT
hold an the adjacent mainland.
"The first landing on the Werder
peninsula at the northern end OF the
gulf of Riga was successfully carried
out. A further attempt at another
point failed.
"It Il not probable that the Ger
mans win undertake, for the time be-
ing. more than strengthening Of the
positions now held in the Riga Sec
"The retirement Of the advanced
enemy lines to a depth of fifteen
miles in the region Of the Dvina is
reported.
are noted along the Rumanian and
Macedonian fronts where artillery
duels and raids are increasing in
frequency. These, however, are not
of more than local Importance.
"In Mesopotamia, the British are
continuing and consolidating their
advance driving enemy detachmenta
out OF important tactical points on
the fianlxs. thus strengthening their
whole line OF defense.
tRumors Of an important move by
the Turks, reinforced by certain
picked German and Austrian units
under the command OF General F'alk-
enhayn. which have repeatedly been
reported throughout the near east
have as yet failed to materialize.
''The training Of our troops In
France progresses steadily and fav-
nrably. Certain units have taken
their places tn the front line trenches
under actual battle conditions"