Evening star., 1917-11-11


mighty struggle. It meant that q great
democracy was ready to lay down the
lives Of Its sons for the principle OF
democracy.
lives Of these three Americans sancti-
ned the cause for which they are fight
ing.
Since entering the trenches in France
the American artillery has been ex-
changing shot for shot with the Ger
mans. American infantrymen in the
trenches had little to do until last Sat
urday week and since that raid the
soldiers OF Uncle Sam have been COM
paratively idle. The Germans have not
renewed their attacks. though they are
expected to do SO at any 3uncture now
that the whereabouts OF the Americans
has been determined. 1t Is declared
from neutral capitals that the Germans
hate the Americans worse than they do
| the British.
Hatred Of the English has been the
one dominating motive in all past Ger
more cordially disliked by the Teuton
no mercy may be expected to be shown
from this time on. The Americans,
though holding what is a comparatively
quiet section Of the western front un-
doubtedly are in for severe "straf1ng"
during the remainder of the war. Just
when the Americans will take over 4
section Of the front for their very
own" has not been determined, but
dispatches from France Indicate the
thine is not far removed At that time
the Americans, already eager for the
task and fired to the highest pitch or
enthusiasm. are expected TO accomplish
really great things for the common
cause. Berlin continues to attempt to
discredit any American endeavor on the
western front. This has had no other
| result than arouse determination in
Pershing's men to accomplish great
deeds.
German forces which a week ago
gave up their positions on the south
ern side Of the Aillette river. an action
pressure in previous days, have taken
positions along the hills skirting the
northern bank Of the river. The French
are occupying positions on the south-
ern edge. having closely followed 'he
Germans in retreat.
Both belligerent armies now are on
height positions and unless the French
penetrate the morasses which skirt the
narrow Aillette on either side, the Ger
mans and French possibly will remain
in their positions during the coming
winter unless operations north or east
of Laon force another German retire
ment.
since the retreat operations have been
renewed by both the Germans and
French in the Champagne region and In
sections near st. Quentin. German at
tacks north of Chaume, Damloup and
Verdun have been repulsed by the
+
Carnillet sector on the Champasne
front and to the northeast of Rheims.
The chief activity Of the week, how
ever, has been on the Flanders front,
where Gen. Haig
Chief Activity on assailed = enemy 1 po. %
Flanders Front. eighth time since
September 20. The attack was deliv-
cred by Canadian forces before Pass
chendaele and Immediately below and
above this point. The Germans lost the
town and spur upon which it rests. A
little to the north the Meetcheele spur
and Mosselmarkt were taken by the
Canadians.
These positions are of the few re-
naming heights held by the Germans
| along the Passchendaele Gheluyelt
ridge, which dominates Flanders plains
many miles to the eastward. The Brit
ish are enlarging the salient, which
penetrates German lines to the north
east of Ypres, and British forces now
are within ive miles Of Roulers
| through which pass the chief arteries
| Of communication between Zeebrugge
| and Ostend and German positions TO
| the southwark.
The Germans are in unfavorahle po-
sition, dominated as they are by en-
tente artillery. That they realize the
Importance of the heights is indicated
| by Field Marshal Won Hindenburgs 8 or
| ders that the Germans should hold them
| at any cost and that il they lost them
| Immediate attempts should be made to
recapture the positions Though in the
past ten days the Germans have launch-
ed several heavy attacks against the
British over the thirteen-mile front
| they have not regained a foot OF ter
-itory lost to the British. while the
Haig men gain slowly bit by bit, even
| though major offensives are not under
way.
| 1t is generally considered that fur
| ther German retirement in Flanders Is
not far remote. Their present line is in
extreme danger and with the severance
| of several lines of communication.
which Is an early possibility, they
| would have to readjust their pos1tions
over practically the whole of the F1an-
| ders front.
| Gen. Haig undoubtedly will continue
| his series of attacks until Won Hinden-
| burg cries enough on the present line
and moves backward. Owing to the ma
| ture of the terrain in Flanders. 1t Is
| believed certain that once he retreats
| in the Ypres section he will be forced
| TO draw his lines back along the Bel
gian coast as well as make readJust-
nents to the south
Reports from neutral cities indicate
| that the Germans have inaugurated
campaign Of destroying Belgian fac
| tories and mills which would in any
wise be OF value to the allies We're the
Germans to surrender them. Further
more, German newspapers are enlareing
upon the possible necessity of readJust-
\ ing the western battle line to meet new
conditions and to prevent useless sac
rifice of lives" These reports may shed
| light on possible intentions of the
higher military command and they pos
Continued Seventh Page.)