Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-12-07

was composed Oh i,VVU men al lhS
beginning of the war, increased by
10000 volunteers in August, 1914, and
was reduced to $4,000 men after the
battle of the User. BY measures APP
piled TO Belgian refugees and by the
enlistment of volunteers who brayed
the live wire barriers raised on the
Holland frontier, 1t now has been
brought up to ten divisions of well
trained forces ready to take their part
in the offensive in Flanders whenever
the word is given by the commander
in-chief. The Associated Press is in
formed by the Belgian minister of
war.
IF our army has not under taken
operations of wider scope up to
this time," said the minister. 'it is be-
cause It does not deyolve on it to de-
eide the moment when these opera
tons should begin, The army Is only
a part OF the combined allied forces
actiong in unison an din accordance
with carefully developed plans. The
army has valiantly filled the role,
more ungrateful than glorious, that
has been assigned to it. n has just
proved by its brilliant participation in
the last offensive in Flanders that 1t
is ready to attack with fervor and
awaits impatiently the hour"
Summarizing the work of the Bel
gian army during the war and refer.
ring to its difficulties and lack of
equipment, the minister recalled that
in August, 1914, the army had only
one machine gun for each 1000 men
ammunition for only about 800 shot
for each piece. It had no light NOR
tars. no heavy artillery. no grenades
no trench equipment, no ambulances
no pontoon crews, and not a single
motorcycle. II had only 1000 bicycles
two captive balloons, few superinu
wireless telegraphy.
I'VE had only $4,000 infantry ate
the battle OF the Yser," said the min
lister and its equipment was in a pitt
able state, munitions were lacking ant
all of the different organisms wer,
deranged when the army base wa
transferred to foreign soil. This rem
nant of an army not only barred tn
way to Calais but while doing so wa
reorganized and reinforced until nov
II counts three times the number O
men that the battle of the User lef
valid. The front held by the Belgia
army has been gradually lengthene
from about 1914 miles after the battl
fthe User to 10 miles in June 1917
The Belgian army organized thi
front and held 1t alone until the mic
die of this year, when, as cons
quence fthe operations of the allie
offensive in Flanders IL was reduced
enabling the army to dispose of col
siderable reserves.
THE Belgian army prepared NOR
than $50 miles OF trenches and r,
built more than 200 miles OF roat
Eighty different lines OF normal guag
railroads were built. Battery emplac,
ments were constructed by hundred
and thirteen thousand miles of tell
phone wires were put up. or laid III
foreground.
"In August, 1917, the army ha
twelve times as many machine CUR
as in 1914, seven times as many flel
guns and heavy pieces with FIVE time
as much ammunition as was on han
at the outset o fhostilities. II We
ten times as many airplanes.
Belgian nyiators during thrt
months normal activity executed nea
ly 1000 flights. OF which 1920 wei
In pursuit OF adversary planes. A
the different arms OF the service hay
progresse dand been improved in III
ratio indicated by these figures.
THE impression that has gor
abroad that the Belgian army was r,
organized and re.eauipped entirely b
our allies in an error" the ministo
added. Belgium. exiled and deprive
o fall her resources. received generou
hospitality and powerful aid from he
glorious allies. II WAS on French ant
British soil that all was TO be done
but Belgians themselves took up The
work OF reconstructioD. The Belgian
army created by It's own efforts the
greater part Of what was indlspons
able for II to live. and fight, It is build.
Ing IT'S own cannon. making Its own
powder and fits own projectiles. Our
valiant troops have held in front OF
them continually far greater mum