The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-10-08
ALLIES SHOW SUPERIOR !
POWER IN Recent RUSH.
Secretary Baker Says Huns
Have Been Decisiveiy
Outfought.
SUPREME TESTS NOW
Weekly Review Has Nothing
to Say Of American
Forces.
TESTS NOW


cendancy for the allies In the supreme
test Of battle strength now taking
place on the bloody fields of Fland-
ers is claimed by Secretary Baker in
the weekly reviews of war operations
issued tonight by the war department.
While it may be premature to assert
that the British war machine has
forced a decision over the Germans.
Mr.. Baker says. the victories OF the
last fortnight, threatening the German
submarine bases on the Belgian coast,
are conclusive indications Of the al
lies superiority. With favorable
weather, he thinks, these victories will
be repeated and extended.
Yankees Not Mentioned.
The review which is for the week
ended last night makes no reference
to the American forces in France or
TO the great preparations for war 60
ing OH at home.
THE attention OF the world" 1t says,
lis focused OH the titanic struggle now
going on In Flanders. The battle rag
ing there is proving an engagement Of
wholly unprecedented scope and po-
tentialities.
AS to the beginning of tho week.
owing 10 bad weather. the Germans
were able to launch counter attacks
against the positions recently gained
by the British. Notwithstanding the
fact that the Germans made use of
smoke screens, liquid fire, and brought
into action an imposing array Of ar
tillery in their attack against the ad-
vanced british lines between the Tow
or hamlets end Polygon wood. as well
as along the Menin road, their efforts
proved futile.
1T is significant. on the other hand.
that while the British were sustaining
the shock of German assaults success
fully they were able to bring up suf-
ficient fresh troops in order to launch
| another offensive action OH an even
| larger scale than the preceding one,
| in the face Of the enemy's onslaught.
| SLOWLY. but therefore the more ir-
resistibly. the Allied drive at the heart
| of the German line in the west is
| sweeping onward.
THE wisdom of the British in main
tanning n great density of front would
appear Justified by the results
achieved during the last week.
THE defeats inflicted on the Ger
|
tons Of allied superiority. II may be
premature to assert the British have
| forced a decision. but it may be stated
with emphasis that in no engagement
hitherto has such vigor and concerted
speed been displayed.
1.-The full success of these opera
tions means that the Belgian coast
with it's numerous submarine bases
will become untenable to the enemy
Zeebrugsee. Ostenl and the system o
canals leading out of Bruges arr
threatened.
The supreme test of the battle
strength of the contesting belligerent'
is taking place. Allied ascendane!
would appear decisive.
THE two immediate contributing
factors of this success are air contro
and shell supply.
1.-THE British are able to report :ha
since July 81 they have not lost
single gun, while they have capture
3s. field and heavy guns and take
51,43S prisoners. During the fightin
of the past two days they have addc
4,446 prisoners. including ia officer:
to this imposing total.
THE enemy pressure along tn
, eastern front has been relieved b
, the strong allied offensive in Flandcr'
No engagements of more than locs
Importance are reported In the east
"The German advance in the nort''
east has apparently weakened and III
Russians have been able to reorgnni2
their positions in the Riga sector.