The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-08-17

rout and in some instances the TeutOns
were thrown back General Korniloff,
who succeeded BrussilOff as generals
simO, says the first stage of the war is
over and the second stage has opened,
and intimates that the Russian armies
| will yet give an excellent account of
themselves If British and French Off
GERS are sent to help drill the mil
lions of men under arms. They will
need this help, he says, if they must
meet the masSed Germans instead of
the comparatively weak Austrians.
On the Western Front.
Activities in Flanders during the
week indicated that the allies were
following their usual course-attack,
consolidation of positions won, and
preparations for another attack. The
heavy rains hampered operations con-
siderably, but the British made many
trench raids and toward the end of
the week their artillery fire increased
to tremendous volume. Meanwhile,
the Canadian troops pushed up close
to Lens and had that important coal
center nearly surrounded.
The German resistance in the coastal
region is powerful, for the command
ers of course realize how dangerous to
them is the turning movement. Along
the Chemin DIES Danes the crown
prince continued his attacks, all of
which were beaten off by the indOmit-
able Frenchmen.
In the Asian fields of combat there
was little doing last week, but it was
reported that General Won Falkenhayn,
now German commander in Turkey, Is
planning an attempt to recapture Bag
dad. General Maude's Mesopotamian
army, however, is now so strongly en-
trenched' that 1t has little to fear, and
the same may be said of the British
forces in Sinai, which also have the
support of the fleet.
European dispatches say that the
high military authorities in France be-
lieve the war will last through the
winter and spring, at least and that
the policy Of the allies will be to ham,
mer away at the Teuton lines contin-
ually and wear the enemy down as
much as possible until America gets
on the field in full strength. Then the
advantage of numbers will be with
them to so great extent that victory
by force of arms will be in sight.
American Troops to Russian
Senator Lewis of Illinois declared
last week that the next big contingent
Of American troops would be sent to
Russia, which would be surprising in
view of the fact that Russia now has
under arms more men than she can
handle effectively. The Sammies now
in France are proving themselves quick
pupils and have won the praise and adj
miration Of the British and French Off
GERS who are instructing them in the
methods of modern warfare. They are
happy and eager to get into action but
are wailing for American tobacco.
In England Is another big contingent
Of American troops-made up mostly
from the operating and construction
divisions Of American railways. They
will be ready to rebuild and operate
the roads in France and to fight, too,
If necessary, and In preparation for
this are receiving intensive training In
a peaceful English valley.
The navy department has made an
other change Of policy, dropping the
construction Of the small U-boat chas-
ers and concentrating on the produc-
ton Of destroyers, which are to be
turned out In great numbers. They
seem to be the most efficient enemy OF
the submarine.
Argentina, dissatisfied with the prog
ress Of negotiations growing out Of the
sinking Of the Argentine steamer Monte
Protegido by German submarine, has
sent peremptory note to Berlin, de-
handing a clear and final reply within
a reasonable time. Liberia, which
some time ago severed relations with
the central powers, has now declared
war against them. This, like the ac-
ton of Siam, means that the diplomat
ic representatives of the small nations
have made up their minds as to which
group of belligerents will gain the ulti-
mate victory What perhaps has an
gered Argentina most is the recent dis
covery of an extensive German espion-
age system.
China, too, has decided to cast In
her lot with the allies and the cabinet
resolved to declare war on Germany
and Austria Hungary; the assistance
OF the great oriental nation is far from
negligible.