New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-02
Germans, Though Shaken, Still
Strong,U. S. Communique Says
Baker Lays Emphasis on Fact That British Onslaught Is
Weakening the Enemy Stamina and threatening
His Submarine Base at Zeebrugge

WASHINGTON, Oct. definite and
growing superiority of the British over
the Germans is shown by the hghting
in the Ypres salient the last few days,
according to the regular weekly state
ment issued by the War Department
! to-day.
The Western front is still strongly
/ held by the enemy. II adds, and his de-
! fensive strength, while shaken, remains
/ powerful.
The communique briefly reviews the
fighting in all me principal theatres OF
war and touches on the preparing OF
the national forces in the United States.
} The statement follows:
The Ypres salient continues the
centre of military interest along the
/ Western front.
"The battle of Menin Road, which
promises to be one of the great battles
Of the war, is following its normal
/ course.
Last week we recorded the gains Of
/ the British in this sector This week we
must note the desperate attempts made
by the Germans to retake the lost po-
stions.
Beginning Sunday last, the constant
/ ~ increasing violence of the counter
attacks reached a elimination on the
| 9th inst, when seven powerful on
slaughts by the picked storm battal-
/ ions of the enemy endeavored vainly
to regain the lost detectives. The viii
lage of Zonnebeke. the centre Of the
conflict. is now firmly held by the Brit
ish.
Appreciate British Gain
at is evident that the efforts of the
enemy in this sector are not actuatcd
merely by the desire TO regain lost ter
rain of little more than tactical value,
nor must their persistent attacks be
considered merely the normal reaction
of modern field engagement. in which
counter attack invariably follows upon
attack, but rather il is to be noted that
the enemy realizes fully the immense
strategic Importance of the British
thrust along the Menin Road
This new British advance in the
Ypres salient now definitely threatens
the enemy's line of communications to
the Belgian coast. The cstend-Li lille
railway. which in large measure feeds
the German naval bases at Ostend and
Zeebrugge. the latter the home port of
the German high seas submarine flo
tillas. now comes within the range Of
the fire Of the British guns
The superiority of the British over
their enemies was conclusively proved
during the engagements OF the last week.
THE battle Of Menin Road. further
more. shows that the sighting stamina
Of the Germans is deteriorating, not
that the enemy did not display great
skill and logged determination in his
repeated counter attacks.
During the recent operations in
this sector the British captured 4,S48
prisoners. including 1913 officers.
Along the French front, particular
" in tho Aisne sector Of raye-Cerny-
Hurtebise. artillery duels OF intense
violence are reported.
THE enemy attempted an attack
upon the French outposts on the right
bank Of the Meuse. This attack was
partially successful, and certain Ger
man units gained foothold in the
French centre, where violent combat
took place, which ended in the French
regaining the lost positions.
along the whole French front Ger
man storm contingents harassed the
French lines, though their attacks
were everywhere repulsed.
1.-THE operations of maximum i'm
portance were north Of Nerdun, where
the enemy made use of liquid FIRE in
an effort TO record some distinct sue
cess.
Great Wastage of Men
"The outstanding feature of the re
cent engagements is the wastage OF
the man power Of the enemy.
"If we compare the combat front OF
Verdun in 1916. held by twelve Ger