Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-04

stodps. .The U-boat bases II It takes
till Christnas'' Is tho word going up
: and down the lines and the Tommies
and Ansacs and poilus are only wait
Ing a halt in the rainfall to go over
the top again.
- The operation undertaken by the
!. AnElo.French armies in Flanders Is be-
). ginning to reveal itself as one Of the
most difficult actions Of the war. the
through which the troops must
advance is absolutely Hattie ideal
: terrain for trench warfare. and the
Germans have fortified 1t to the last
inch during their months of occupa-
.tion.
Not only is 1t fiat and difficult for
'ethe artillery. but it is under present
conditions Il vast bog for the greater
part OF the year rendering infantry
operations hazardous. and effective ar
artillery transportation almost impos-
sible.
SEEK DECISION THROUGH
WILDERNESS OF WAXY MUD
But 1t is through this wilderness of
waNy mud that the British and French
troops arc determined to seek deci
sion. Only the breaking of the clouds
remains for them again TO come TO grip
with the Germans. One of the first
results Of the important German con-
ference at Brussels, where the Kaiser
presided. and which was attended by
declared to be n heavy reinforcement
. of Crown Prince Rupprecht's lines. Ger
y man forces are to be withdrawn from
tho already paper line" in the east to
form great reserve in Flanders. it
is reported. The French are prevent
ing German Withdrawals from other
sections OF the western front.
The German strategy already is max
Ing itself evident. 1t is the old STRAIT
egg OF the Junker based on the military
tenet that the best defensive is n
strong offensive"
SO already. despite the worst weather
conditions possible, the German leaders
are sending in strong forces in des-
perate counterattacks against ground
already won by the allies.
These forces are suffering heavy
losses and attaining no results worthy
of mention. Yesterday they made a
gain on the sector of the Ypres Roul
crs railway. only to be elected.
Last night they launched strong
.counterattack on the British lines on
Infantry Hill. east OF Monchyle- PreuX.
They gained some trenches at two
points, but General Haig now an
nounces that most of the lost ground
has been regained.
"NO MANS LAND" CONVERTED
INTO VAST aUtGMIRE
The German attacks OF last night
We're not confined to Infantry Hill,
however. They also attacked the Brit
ish lines near Warneton and around
Queant only in both cases 10 be re-
pulsed. while. after heavy lombard
ment of the French front in the Koor-
tekeer- Bixschoote sector. they gaveup
their notion Of attacking and remain
ed In their trenches. y fourth attack
on the British. on the Hollebeke- LA
.Basseerille front. broke down under
+SHaig's artillery fire.
Sr>'s Every prediction from both British
I and German experts tonight is that
1.-The Flanders battle is only beginning.
: that 1t will last for weeks and per
chaps months.
~. Meanwhile, smarting under the eight
previous defeats inflicted upon him
In MS efforts to regain the California
and Casemate plateauS, the crown
prince has launched new violent al
TACK on Cerny, on the Aisne front
Inc drive was made on a front of one
mile east and south of the town and
rproKe down completely under the
French fire.
The crown prince also resumed his
violent hombardment in the yerdnn
region, but no attacks by infantry de-
sveloped.