The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-10-11
HAVE THINGS OWN WAY
ENTENTE ARMIES HAVE DECIS-
I'VE ASCENDANCY.
Secretary Baker Issues Reyiew of
the Allied Operations OF
the Past Week.

Washington, Oct. 7.-Decisive as
cendancy for the Allies in the su-
preme test of battle strength now
taking place on the bloody fields of
Flanders is claimed by Secretary
Baker in the weekly review of war
operations issued tonight by the War
Department.
While it may be premature to as
sert that the British war machine
has forced decision over the Ger
mans, Mr.. Baker says, the victories
of the past fortnight, threatening the
German submarine bases on the Bel
gian coast, are conclusive indications
of Allied superiority. With favorable
weather he thinks those victories
will be repeated and extended.
The review, which is for the week
ending last night, makes no reference
to the American forces in France or
o the great preparation for war going
forward at home.
Worlds Attention.
''The attention of the world" it
says, ''is focused upon the titanic
struggle now going on in Flanders.
The battle raging there is proving an
engagement Of wholly unprecedented
scope and potentialities.
AT the beginning of the week
owing to the weather, the Germans
were able to launch counter-attacks
against the positions recently gained
by British. Notwithstanding the fact
that the Germans made use of smoke
screens, liquid firefand brought into
action an imposing array of artillery
in their attack against the advanced
British lines near tower Hamlets and
Polygon wood, as well as along the
Menin road, their efforts proved
futile.
Easily Reinforced.
''It is significant, on the other
hand, that while the British were
sustaining the shock of German as
sault successfully, they were able to
bring up sufficient fresh troops in
order to launch another offensive
action even on a larger scale, than
the preceding one, in the face of the
enemy's onslaught.
''Slowly, but therefore the most ir-
resistability, the Allied drive at the
heart of the German line in the west
is sweeping onward.
"The wisdom of the British in
maintaining great density of front
would appear justified. by the results
achieved during the past week. 1t
must be borne in mind that it is due
to the depth of the British line as
much as to any other one factor,
that while the enemy is still reeling
under one blow, the Allies are ready
to deliver another.
It has been characteristic of the
campaign in Flanders hitherto that
neither belligerent has attained what
we may call a decisive success.
THE Germans have massed their
greatest war strength along this bat
tie front.
ITO attack them at their strongest
point of resistance, is sound strategy.
Allied Superiority.
'The defeats inflicted upon them
during the past fortnight are conclu-
sive indications of Allied superiority.
In the light of past experience it may
be premature to assert that the
British have succeeded in forcing
decision, but it may be stated with
emphasis that in no engagement
hitherto has such vigor, energy, and
concerted speed Of action been dis
Iplayed.
THE full success of these opera
tions means that the Belgian coast,
with it's numercls submarine bases
will become untenable to the enemy.
Zeebrugge, Ostend and the system of
canals leading out of. the Bruges are
threatened.
The Supreme Test.
"The supreme test of the battle
strength ofthe contending belligerents
is taking place. Allied ascendancy
would appear decisive.
THE two immediate contributing
factors of this success are air con-
troll and shell supply.*
''The enemy realizes the danger he
is facing.
1--WE may expect him to counter-at-
tack in force. He may even regain
certain secondary objectives tempo
rarily, but the British war machine is
moving forward and if time permits
and the combat season remains open,
with the weather continuing favor
ably of reconnaissance and careful
aircraft observations, the Allied
victories of the past two weeks will
in all probability be repeated and
extended.
"The enemy pressure along the
eastern front has been relieved by
the strong Allied offensive in Fland-
ers. No engagements of more than
local Importance are reported in the
east.
''The German advance in the north
east has apparently weakened and
the Russians have been more able to
reorganize their forces in the Riga